Easy Chili Mac Skillet Recipe (Cheesy and Hearty Meal)

When you serve this Chili Mac Skillet for dinner, no one is ever disappointed.

In a hearty tomato sauce that has been enhanced with beef stock, this cheesy, meaty dish mixes ground beef, macaroni, and cheddar cheese.

When you need to stretch your food budget while still making everyone happy, make this your go-to meal! To help you savor every last bit of this filling dish, serve it with a refreshing tomato-cucumber salad and a slice of garlic bread.

 Chili Mac Skillet: What is it?

Thanks to the inclusion of chili powder and herbs, Chili Mac is a tasty Tex-Mex twist on an American Goulash recipe. For a simple supper that is simple to prepare, cook it in a pot on the stovetop.

Components of a Chili Mac Skillet

This homemade one-pot supper is really simple to prepare and cook, and cleaning up is also a joy. You will require the following ingredients:

• Base: elbow macaroni, beef broth, and ground beef
• Cheese toppings: cheddar
• vegetables: tomato paste, tomato sauce, onions, and garlic cloves
• Spices: beef bouillon cube, sugar, chili powder, parsley, basil, and oregano.

Substitutions

If you’d rather, you can use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef, along with chicken stock and bouillon.

You can also use shells, rotini, or penne pasta in place of the macaroni. To make this recipe even more versatile, add canned black beans, bell peppers, or corn.

Use very sharp cheddar for the most flavor and bite. Colby or Pepper Jack cheeses work great in this dish as well. Make use of cumin powder, jalapenos, or chopped cilantro to add a more Mexican flavor to chili mac.

To prepare this skillet meal in one pan

You can quickly prepare dinner by following these easy steps:

1. Drain any excess grease before browning the ground meat with onion and garlic.
2. As directed in the recipe below, combine all the ingredients in the same pan, except the cheese.
3. Stir occasionally while cooking the macaroni under a cover until it is tender.

Once cooked, taste and adjust the spice before adding the shredded cheddar and garnishes of cilantro or green onion.

Remember the sides as well!

One of the benefits of one-pot meals like this one is that you don’t have to worry about sides as much. For a pleasant crunch, serve chili mac with tortilla chips or a tart Panzanella salad.

Baked corn on the cob and tomato avocado salad are two other delectable and healthy sides that go well with chili mac’s hearty, stick-to-your-ribs flavor.

How to Warm It Up

To give the tastes time to mellow and develop, this is a fantastic lunch to prepare ahead of time. Chili mac can be frozen for up to four months or kept in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Thaw the food before popping it into the microwave to reheat it till steaming hot. Alternately, you can bake it straight from the freezer to the oven until it is well bubbling.

Chili Mac

A Creamy pasta skillet with a Tex-Mex flavor!

Ingredients for Chili Mac Skillet

• ½ small onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ¾ pound dry macaroni noodles
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• ½ tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon each dried parsley, basil, and oregano
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions for Chili Mac Skillet

1. Slice the onion very thin (or grate with a cheese grater). On medium heat, add the beef, onion, and garlic to the pan. until no longer pink, cook. Remove any fat.
2. Add everything else except the cheese. Boil, then turn the heat down to medium-low and cover.
3. Allow to cook for 13–17 minutes, stirring regularly, or until macaroni is thoroughly cooked (add a little bit of water if needed).
4. Serve warm with cheese on top and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition information

Calories: 458 | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 656mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 535IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 2.7mg