This cheesy, flavor-packed Chili Mac is the ultimate comfort food! A perfect blend of hearty chili and creamy mac and cheese, this one-pan meal is ready in under an hour with minimal cleanup.
It’s loaded with bold spices, tender pasta, and plenty of gooey cheese, making it a guaranteed hit with the whole family. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner, this Chili Mac will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Ingredients
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1 1/2 t. canola oil
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1 lb. lean ground beef
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1 onion, chopped fine
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1 T. chili powder
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2 t. ground cumin
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1/8 – 1/4 t. cayenne pepper (to taste, I used 1/8 t.)
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salt & pepper
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 T. brown sugar
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1 (15 oz. can of tomato sauce)
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2 c. water
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8 oz. whole grain macaroni
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2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large (12 inch) nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, chili powder, cumin, cayenne and 1/2 t. salt. Cook, breaking up meat into small pieces, until it looses all the pink color, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds or so.
- Add brown sugar, tomato sauce, water and macaroni. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook, stirring often and adjusting the heat so that it maintains a lively simmer (somewhere between medium/medium-high heat), until the macaroni is tender, about 10 minutes or so. Season with salt & pepper if needed.
- Off heat, stir in half the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
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