This chili mac recipe is simple to prepare and makes a great weeknight meal that even picky kids will love!
I know, I know.
It’s May. And I’m sharing a chili recipe.
You guys, I’m actually laying on a beach right now and dreaming about this Chili Mac. I don’t care how hot it is, I don’t care what time of year it is, I don’t care about grilling season or soup season or any of that other nonsense.
This Chili Mac is quickly outdoing my Creamy Baked Spaghetti as our family’s favorite meal. We are eating it on the regular.
We used to live in a little town with a Steak ‘N Shake. They had steakburgers and milkshakes and chili mac. Their chili mac used spaghetti noodles, but I prefer macaroni. I mean, you guys, it’s called Chili Mac. Why mac if there are no macaroni noodles??
I hear Skyline also does the chili mac. Anyone know if they use spaghetti or macaroni?
Anyway, the secret to this recipe is the bottled chili sauce. Do not skip it or this will just be a bowl of chili with noodles. The chili sauce does something magical and transforms this into something else entirely.
You can top this any way you like. I prefer diced onions, shredded cheese, and a little sour cream. My husband just goes for the cheese. My kids don’t put anything on theirs.
Also, we don’t put beans in our chili, because none of us really like beans. If you’re a bean-eater, you can totally add them here. Ain’t no thang.
Oh, and don’t judge me for using the packets of chili seasoning. I love them and I’ll never give them up no matter what you say. Everytime I make chili, I get requests for the recipe and my response is always “Follow the recipe back of the McCormick chili seasoning packet, but add a little brown sugar.” Bad food blogger!
Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 2 packets chili seasoning or your own mix
- 29 ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 pound macaroni
- 1/2 cup Heniz chili sauce
- Grated cheese for topping
- Diced onions for topping
- Sour cream for topping
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain the fat and add the chili seasoning, tomato sauce, and brown sugar.
- Stir to combine and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
- While the chili is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package directions. Drain and set return to the pan.
- Pour the chili into the pan with the cooked macaroni. Add the chili sauce and stir to combine.
- Serve with cheese, onions, and sour cream.
Nutrition Information:
wildwildrose says
O MY! I made this today and it is delicious! I made copycat Heinz Chili Sauce and homemade Chili Seasoning and after throwing it all together put it in the crockpot on LO for about and hour and a half. Yum! This is a KEEPER! Thanks for sharing. Now I am even more excited to try even more of your recipes!
Karly says
So glad it turned out! Great idea to use the crockpot. 🙂
Bonnie Hauge says
We live in Fort Worth, Texas (Where the West Begins) and I’ve never considered the weather when making a pot of chili! I like chili sauce very much so think I will add it to the pot next time – thanks for the idea!
Sarah Baker says
I love chili Mac supreme at steak and shake but you never know how much you are getting! Sometimes it maybe a tbs or you may get an order! Depends on the server! It is like we may serve too much so they give you a tbsp!
Tom says
Hi Karly, Thanks for sharing this recipie! I thought you would be interested to know
that Spaghetti is a Macaroni product so even though Steak N Shake uses a spaghetti noodle for their
chilli-mac, it is still considered Macaroni! Spaghetti is just a version of a macaroni!!
Thanks!
Tom
Brandi says
Made this tonight. I was a little skeptical that everyone would like it, But it was a huge it. Even my pickiest liked it. I think next time I will use less brown sugar, it was a little too sweet for me. I did add a can of red kidney beans. I will make this again for sure!
Karly says
Glad the family enjoyed this one! 🙂
Tracy S says
This is amazing! The only thing different I do is I add 2 cans of green chilies and a regular chili packet and a tex mex chili packet. Everyone asks for the recipe! Delicious!
Octavia J. says
I just made this with Morningstar Farms crumbles(substituted it for ground beef) along with the additional seasonings that I normally put in my chili(which coincided greatly with the ingredients in the recipe) and it was a success!!! Thanks Karly!!
Heather C says
Is the chili sauce spicy? My kids do not like spicy so on a scale of mild, medium and HOT how would you rate it?
Karly says
It’s not spicy. Definitely mild. Like a much more seasoned ketchup. 🙂
Scottdirk says
Aloha. It’s wonderful. Only that I changed it to be more Hawaiian kine. Cut the chili sauce a bit, then added a bit more brown sugar, and used a bit more onion, and chopped tomatoes, and garlic powder. Ono, like I remember. Served over steamed rice. Mayo, crackers, sour dough bread to dip. Totally Enjoying. Mahalo for the memories.
Jen says
The questions marks should have been a smiley face from my iPhone……