The Best Chili Mac: When Macaroni Meets Soulful Chili

Cheesy, saucy, and loaded with seasoned meat, this Chili Mac is the perfect soul-warming dish.

This Chili Mac Is the Love Child of Mac & Cheese and Chili—And It’s Delicious

When Mac N Cheese and Chili decide to love on each other, something magical happens. This Chili Mac is the ultimate comfort dish—hearty, cheesy, and full of bold flavor. It’s everything we love about soul food in one skillet. Inspired by Southern-style chili and homemade creamy mac, this dish is a whole vibe that brings warmth to any table.

With roots in Southern kitchens and Sunday family dinners, Chili Mac is a nostalgic throwback made even better with your personal flavor twist. Whether you’re making this for a weekday meal or a casual get-together, it’s guaranteed to hit. Bonus points if you serve it with a slice of buttery cornbread on the side.

Ingredients List (What You Need)

For the Chili:

• 3 lb. ground chuck (or ground turkey)
• 2 packs of chili seasoning (or chili powder to taste)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef broth (or beef bouillon dissolved in water)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning (like Complete Seasoning)
• Extra chili powder to taste
• Shredded cheese (for topping)

For the Macaroni:

• 1 box elbow macaroni
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 block of cheese (melted into cream)
• 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown the Meat

In a large skillet or pot, brown the ground chuck (or turkey) over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Sauté the Veggies

Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the meat. Sauté for about 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.

3. Season the Chili

Sprinkle in your chili seasoning packets (or chili powder), cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and all-purpose seasoning. Stir well to coat the meat and veggies.

4. Simmer It Down

Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together and let the chili simmer uncovered for about 15-20 minutes so all those flavors marry.

5. Cook the Macaroni

In a separate pot, cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

6. Make the Cheese Sauce

In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream and gradually melt in the cheese. Season with Cajun, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until creamy and smooth.

7. Combine Chili and Mac

Add the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce to your chili mixture. Stir well until everything is combined and coated.

8. Top and Serve

Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and let it melt (or pop under the broiler for a bubbly top). Optional: garnish with green onions and a dollop of sour cream.

The meat and veggies getting well acquainted with the spices—flavor town incoming.

About the Creator

This recipe is brought to you by @eat.pray.love.handles, a creator who knows the power of good food and comforting flavors. Her soulful kitchen magic is all about flavor-packed meals that bring people together. Be sure to follow her on Instagram for more comforting classics and Southern-inspired eats.

Instagram Reel: Watch the Recipe in Action on IG

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