Pioneer Woman Chili Mac Recipe

The Pioneer Woman’s Chili Mac recipe is one of the best and easiest recipes for chili mac and cheese. This recipe is made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a delicious blend of seasonings. It takes approximately 25 minutes to cook and can serve about 8 people.

What Is Chili Mac 

Chili Mac, sometimes called Chili Mac and Cheese, is a combination between chili and macaroni and cheese. It’s made with ground beef, onions, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and macaroni noodles. The special taste comes from the Chili Mac seasonings, which include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, sugar, and black pepper.

Chili Mac Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef (90-93% fat-free)
• 1/2 cup of onion, finely chopped
• 4 cups of beef stock
• One 15-ounce can of small diced tomatoes
• One 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
• 8 ounces of uncooked Elbow macaroni (about 2 cups)
• Shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream for serving

Chili Mac Seasoning:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons of chili powder
• 2 teaspoons of cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, ground

How To Make Homemade Chili Mac

1. Start by heating a large pot over medium-high heat. Add in the ground beef and chopped onion.
2. Use a wooden spoon to break up the beef into smaller pieces. Let it cook for about 6-7 minutes until the beef is brown and the onions are tender.
3. Next, pour in the beef stock, diced tomatoes along with their juice, tomato sauce, and all the spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, sugar, and pepper). Mix everything together and let it come to a gentle boil.
4. Now, add the macaroni to the pot. Let it simmer and stir occasionally for about 15 minutes until the macaroni is cooked well.
5. Once done, serve your chili mac hot, top with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

How To Make Chili Mac With Canned Chili 

To make Chili Mac with canned chili, first, cook your macaroni according to the instructions on the package. While your pasta is cooking, take a can of your favorite chili and warm it up on the stove for about 2 minutes. Once the chili is warm, remove it from the stove. Drain your cooked pasta and mix it with the warmed canned chili. Top it off with some cheese and serve it while it’s hot.

How To Make Chili Mac With Leftover Chili 

For leftover chili, the process is pretty much the same. Start by cooking your macaroni. While that’s happening, reheat your leftover chili on the stove. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, and the chili is warmed up, combine them together. Add some cheese on top for extra flavor, and your Chili Mac is ready to be served. This is a great way to use up leftover chili.

How To Make Vegetarian Version Of Chili Mac

To make a vegetarian Chili Mac, simply replace the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute like Impossible Meat or Beyond Meat. Add in extra veggies like green bell pepper and kidney beans for more flavor and nutrition. 

If you’re short on vegetable broth, vegetable bouillon cubes can be a good substitute. Follow the rest of the recipe as usual, and you’ll have a tasty vegetarian Chili Mac ready.

Chili Mac Variations

This recipe will also work with other ingredients like:

1. Add chicken, pork, turkey, or lamb mince instead of beef.
2. Add green bell peppers or diced carrots.
3. Use white pepper or ground fennel in the spice mix.
4. Replace diced tomatoes with Rotel, canned tomatoes, and green chilies mix.
5. Add kidney and black beans.
6. Garnish with everything bagel seasoning before serving

What To Serve With Chili Mac And Cheese

The best way to eat chili mac is to top it with cheddar cheese or sour cream and enjoy it on its own. However, chili mac can also be served with many side dishes such as a green salad, roasted vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or roasted potatoes. It pairs well with Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Cornbread too.

How Long Is Chili Mac Good For In The Fridge?

Chili mac can last in the fridge for up to 2 days. To store it correctly, allow it to cool down first. Then, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. 

Can You Freeze Chili Mac 

Yes, chili mac freezes well and can last frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze chili mac correctly, divide it into individual servings and place each serving in freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Then, transfer the bags to the freezer.

To thaw frozen chili mac, simply place it in the fridge overnight and let it thaw slowly.

What Is The Best Way To Reheat Chili Mac?

The best way to reheat leftover chili mac is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chili mac in an oven-safe dish and heat it for about 10-15 minutes or until it is warmed through. Then, sprinkle shredded cheese on top and return it to the oven for another 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. 

Chili Mac Calories And Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 257 
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Protein: 18g
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0.4g
• Cholesterol: 37mg
• Sodium: 1124mg
• Potassium: 682mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 6g

Try More Recipes:

• Chicken Chili
• Chili Con Carne
• Turkey Chili Recipe
• Beef Chili Recipe
• Pumpkin Chili
• White Bean Chicken Chili