This Chili Mac recipe is unapologetically cheesy, super satisfying, and (believe it or not) healthy too! The best part? This dreamy meal comes together in ONE pot and in 30 minutes.
While a good classic mac and cheese recipe will forever have my heart, I will always find pleasure in coming up with fun macaroni and cheese twists (as evident from the FOUR mac and cheese recipes featured in my cookbook).
From this Italian Mac and Cheese, Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, and Gourmet Mac and Cheese, transforming this kid-friendly favorite from a side dish to a complete meal will never get old.
Today, we’re pumping up classic cheddar mac with ground turkey, beans, and tomatoes to transform it into a hearty, one-pot chili mac recipe.
It’s filling, oh-so comforting for the soul (and belly), and did I mention cheesy (just like this Homemade Hamburger Helper)?
If you love mac and cheese, love chili, or are in the market for kid-friendly food that adults will enjoy, this 30-minute recipe is for you!
5 Star Review
“The BEST chili mac recipe! I’ve been making this every other week for nearly 4 years now.”
— KJ —
How to Make Chili Mac in One Pot
For all of my chili mac daydreaming, I am pleased to report that this chili recipe exceeded my every expectation.
It’s gloriously rich and creamy, and the ground turkey and beans make it incredibly hearty and filling. The best comfort food!
The Ingredients
- Ground Turkey. My choice for a lean meat option that packs plenty of satisfying protein into every serving without the added fat. (It’s also my choice for this Healthy Turkey Chili.)
- Onion. For a little zip and depth of flavor that gives this chili mac recipe that “cooked-all-day” taste.
- Jalapeño. Turns up the heat on this hearty chili mac recipe.
- Spices. A classic blend of chili powder, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and garlic powder gives this dish that signature chili flavor (like in this Vegetarian Chili).
- Chicken Stock. Our primary cooking liquid.
- Black Beans + Kidney Beans. My favorite duo of protein and fiber-packed legumes for just about any chili recipe (including Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Sweet Potatoes).
- Tomato Sauce. For additional moisture and robust tomato flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis. Adds another layer of southwest flare thanks to the green chilis.
- Macaroni. The real magic of this dish is that you don’t even have to boil and drain the pasta separately. Just toss it right into the pot with the other ingredients and cook until al dente. (If you love one-pot pasta recipes, check out this Chicken Stroganoff.)
- Cheddar Cheese. It’s not mac and cheese without plenty of cheese. I like to use sharp cheddar. Its more potent flavor means you can get away with using less.
- Green Onions. For a final flourish of color and fresh onion flavor that is the perfect garnish. You could use some fresh parsley or cilantro as well.
Chili Mac and Cheese Toppings
Feel free to add more favorite chili fixin’s to your spread to finish off your bowl of hearty chili mac to your liking.
Diced avocado, additional grated cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, a dash of cayenne pepper for some more heat, or minced red onion (or Pickled Onions) would all be fabulous.
The Directions
- Sauté the onions.
- Brown the turkey with the jalapeño and spices.
- Stir in the tomatoes and sauce, stock, beans, and pasta. Simmer until the noodles are al dente.
- Stir in the cheese until melted and creamy. Serve with toppings of your choice. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Leftover chili mac can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop in a large skillet sprinkled with a small amount of water or chicken broth to keep the pasta from drying out.
- To Freeze. Chili mac may be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before warming.
Storage Tips
If you make this easy chili mac and cheese with the intention to freeze all or a portion of it, I would slightly undercook the pasta, so it is less mushy once thawed and reheated.
What to Serve with Chili Mac
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Can Opener. You know a recipe is easy when the main piece of equipment needed is a can opener. Just push one button on this electric opener. No sharp edges!
- Chef’s Knife. A high-quality steel and carbon everyday chef’s knife is a must for anyone who loves spending time in the kitchen.
- Dutch Oven. Our one-way ticket to this one-pot masterpiece.
The Best Dutch Oven
This Le Creuset 5.5-quart Dutch oven made from long-lasting enameled cast iron has superior even heat distribution and retention. It’s oven-safe too.
So much flavor, so much satisfaction, and there’s only one pot to wash at the end.
I vote chili mac for dinner of the year!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’d like to make this a vegetarian chili mac and cheese, you may omit the ground turkey from the recipe and swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock. You also could use vegan meat crumbles in place of the turkey.
I like a combination of black beans and red kidney beans best. However, you could also use pinto beans, cannellini beans, or Great Northern beans in chili mac.
Sharp cheddar is my favorite for chili mac because it brings that classic mac and cheese flavor and creaminess to the dish. However, you could also use other melting-style cheeses you enjoy. Fontina, pepper jack, or gouda would all work nicely.
Yes, you can make instant pot chili mac. I have not yet tried this though, so it would be an experiment! You could use my Instant Pot Mac and Cheese as a rough guide on how to make it. If you decide to try it out, I’d love for you to let me know how it goes!
Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 pound extra lean ground turkey (use an additional can of beans to make vegetarian)
- 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and diced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder plus 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 can low-sodium black beans (15 ounces) rinsed and drained
- 1 can low-sodium red kidney beans (15 ounces) rinsed and drained
- 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis (10 ounces) undrained
- 2 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni noodles about 8 ounces
- 1 cup freshly shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese plus additional for serving
- Sliced green onions for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep Dutch oven or pot over medium-high. Once hot, add the onion and sauté until beginning to soften; about 4 minutes.
- Add the turkey, jalapeno, chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, breaking apart the turkey until the meat is crumbled and cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken stock, black beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes in their juices, and pasta. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Once simmering, cover the pot and cook until the noodles are al dente, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Stir in the cheese until melted and creamy. Serve warm, topped with additional shredded cheese and green onions.
Notes
- TO STORE: Leftover chili ma can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Warm gently in the microwave, sprinkled with a small amount of water or chicken stock to keep the pasta from drying out.
- TO FREEZE: Chili mac may be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before warming. If you plan to freeze, I would slightly undercook the pasta, so it is less mushy once reheated.
Nutrition
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My love of mac and cheese and chili runs deep if you can’t tell from my extensive collection of easy chili and mac and cheese one-pot recipes.
OMG 😋 I just made this for dinner and I USUALLY NEVER POST BUT HAD TO 😋
I think the only thing I did different was I simmered it for 2 hours cuz I had time today
This is AWESOME 😋😋😋
THANK YOU for this recipe 🥰
I forgot to say I made this with Gluten free Pasta 😋😋 after we simmered for 2 hours 😋😋😋😋😋😋😋
Hi Sheila! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This is a absolutely delicious and quick to make, which makes it a keeper. However, I have to go dairy free for the foreseeable future and wanted to ask if omitting the cheese will be okay? Thank you!
Hi Dani! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and it should be find to omit the cheese!
My son is going to college in the fall and is asking me to teach him how to cook. We made this last night and loved it! It’s easy and delicious!
Hi Marie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
My family really enjoyed this dish! I cut down on the spice by omitting the jalepeno and reducing the chili powder, but it was delicious and flavorful and everyone liked.
Hi Nicole! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I made this for our Meatless Monday Meal and it was very good! Replaced the ground turkey with Beyond Meat. Used 1 tablespoon of chili powder and added an extra teaspoon of garlic powder, and a teaspoon each of smoked paprika and dried chopped chives. Topped with shredded cheddar and green onion. Oh, I did substitute the chicken broth with beef broth for added flavor (and because we aren’t quite vegetarian 😁), but you could use vegetable broth. Great recipe and very filling!
Hi Colette! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This came together so quickly. I literally have been home from work for less than an hour. We already made it and had dinner, and everybody loved it! I had some leftover bacon that we crumbled and served on top! Great comfort food! Thank you, Erin .
Hi Jetty! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
My six year old son loved this, which almost never happens when I make dinner, so it was a happy win! He said he liked the noodles and the cheese in the chili, so I will be making it again. Great recipe!
Hi Nora! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!