Who is ready for easy, delicious, and comfort food? We cook ground beef recipes about once a week to vary what we eat. Today’s recipe is Skillet Chili Mac and Cheese. This recipe ticks all the boxes we love. Easy, one pot, chili, noodles, and cheesy. Can I get a heck ya, for yum?
Although the original recipe was for a slow cooker, I adapted it for the stovetop. I also changed it a bit, as the original recipe was more like a soup. I had spotted it on Pinterest. Ahem. I love that this meal can be cooked all in one pot! Do you enjoy cooking one-pot meals too? Let’s get cooking.
Chili Mac and Cheese
What You’ll need for this chili recipe with ground beef
- Skillet; I use my favorite 5-quart copper skillet-casserole pot. Or a non-stick pan 14″ with, high sides, and a lid
- Wood Spoon
- Can Opener
- Chef Knife
- Measuring Cup
Groceries you’ll need for this chili mac and cheese recipe:
- Lean ground beef 1-1.4lb.
- Purple or white onion if you prefer
- Garlic cloves (3)
- Olive oil
- Can of chopped green chili peppers (4 ounces)
- Can of chopped stewed tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
- Can of kidney beans (14.5 ounces)
- Green onion
- Avocado
- Tomatoes
- Monterey Jack Cheese (1 cup)
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese (optional)
- Chili Powder (1 Tbsp.)
- Salt
- Pepper
Printable Recipe at the end of the post.
How to make Chili Mac and Cheese;
Take out your skillet, add in olive oil 1 tablespoon or use non-stick spray, and lean ground beef. If using a non-stick skillet you will not need this. If using other ground beef cook and drain excess fat. Cook your ground beef on medium heat stirring frequently.
Add in chopped purple onion, and garlic. Continue to stir while cooking.
Next, add in spices. One tablespoon chili powder, pepper, and salt.
Add stewed tomatoes, green onions. Stir. If needed add in a half a can of water measured from your tomato can.
Then add in your drained kidney beans. Measure water in your empty tomato can halfway, and add to chili. (approx. 7-8 ounces)
Stir Well.
Add in one cup of uncooked macaroni noodles. Stir, and lid your pan. Reduce temperature. Cook on low until noodles are done.
In the meantime, you’ll prep your garnishes. We love topping chili mac with cheese. Use either Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, both or your favorite cheese. You’ll want to grate at least 1 cup of cheese.
Next prep your avocados by peeling and slicing them. Wash, and chop your tomatoes and green onions. I just add them to one bowl and serve with a spoon.
Right before serving your chili mac; melt your cheese onto your chili mac in the pan. All you have to do is take your shredded cheese, spread it over the top, and cover the lid. It will melt in a few minutes. Turn off heat, and serve.
Serve with your favorite garnishes. Enjoy!
Skillet Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef 1- 1/4 lb.
- Purple or white onion if you prefer 1/2 large chopped
- Garlic cloves 3 Peeled and chopped
- Olive oil 1 tbsp. See directions
- Can of chopped green chili peppers 4 ounce
- Can of chopped stewed tomatoes 14.5 ounce
- Can of kidney beans 14.5 ounce
- Green onion bunch
- Avocado 1-2
- Tomatoes 1-2
- Monterey Jack Cheese 1 cup
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese optional
- Chili Powder 1-2 Tbsp. depending on your families taste
- Salt dash
- Pepper 1/2 tsp.
Instructions
-
Take out your skillet, add in olive oil 1 tablespoon, and lean ground beef. If using a non stick skillet you will not need this. If using other ground beef cook and drain excess fat.
-
Cook your ground beef on a medium heat stirring frequently.
-
Add in chopped purple onion, and garlic. Continue to stir while cooking.
-
Next add in spices, stewed tomatoes, green onions. Stir.
-
Then add in your drained kidney beans. Stir well.
-
Add in one cup of uncooked macaroni noodles. Stir, and lid your pan. Reduce temperature. Cook on low until noodles are done.
-
In the mean time you'll prep your garnishes. We love topping chili mac with cheese. Use either Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, both or your favorite cheese. You'll want to grate at least 1 cup of cheese.
-
Next prep your avocados by peeling and slicing them. Wash, and chop your tomatoes and green onions.
-
Right before serving your chili mac; melt your cheese onto your chili mac in the pan. All you have to do is take your shredded cheese, spread it over the top, and cover the lid. It will melt in a few minutes.
-
Serve with your favorite garnishes. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
If you like spicy mac and cheese you can use: 1 14.5 ounce can Tomatoes, fire roasted instead. Other options for adding spicy flavors; seeded jalapeno, poblano pepper, 1/8 tsp. of cayenne or cumin. If you want it a bit cheesier just add more shredded cheese. Add half a can of water, or beef broth if needed to keep moist while cooking.
Adapted from Slow Cooker Chili Mac and Cheese
Related Recipe Posts:
- Restaurant Style 30 Minute Beef Tacos From Scratch
- Jalapeño Cheese Burgers
- Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese
- Lasagna With Meat Sauce
- Spaghetti and 15 Minute Baked Meatballs
- See all our Ground Beef Recipes
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