Lu's Chili Mac

Warm, comforting, and bursting with bold flavors, Lu's Chili Mac is the ultimate one-pot meal that combines the hearty goodness of classic chili with the creamy satisfaction of macaroni and cheese. Made with tender ground beef, savory spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika, and a generous helping of melted cheddar cheese, this dish strikes the perfect balance between cozy and indulgent. The addition of elbow macaroni soaks up the rich tomato-based broth, creating a luscious, saucy texture in every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes and easy to make in a single pot, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing potluck favorite. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor, and serve it piping hot for the ultimate family-friendly comfort food. Keywords: chili mac recipe, one-pot dinner, easy weeknight meals, ground beef recipes, comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) Diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 can (8 ounces) Tomato sauce
• 3 cups Beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cups Elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook until the beef is browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease, if necessary.

Step 2

Add the diced onion to the pot with the beef and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover with a lid and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop the flavors.

Step 5

Uncover the pot and stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Simmer uncovered for another 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender and cooked through.

Step 6

Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well incorporated.

Step 7

Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Enjoy warm!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2318.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2750.7

Total Fat 140.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
Cholesterol 442.2mg	0%
Sodium 6681.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 228.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.5g	0%
Total Sugars 28.9g
Protein 152.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1090.6mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 2921.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.4%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 32.7%