Pioneer Woman Chili Mac Recipe
This hearty Pioneer Woman Chili Mac combines ground beef with chili-spiced tomato sauce, pinto beans, and tender elbow macaroni, all simmered together and topped with a blend of cheddar and pepper jack cheeses. Perfect for a comforting, filling meal that brings the bold flavors of chili into a creamy pasta dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- Kosher salt + black pepper, to taste
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
- 12 oz. elbow macaroni
- 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, grated
Optional Toppings
- Fresh cilantro
- Hot sauce
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Brown the beef and aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the ground beef, minced garlic, and diced onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Season with chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Add liquids and macaroni: Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Add the elbow macaroni and drained pinto beans, then stir again to mix everything together.
- Simmer the mixture: Cover the pan and let the chili mac simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and the sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate the cheeses: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated cheddar and pepper jack cheeses until fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Serve with toppings: Spoon the chili mac into bowls and top with optional fresh cilantro, hot sauce, and sour cream as desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the chili powder or add cayenne pepper.
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Use sharp cheddar and good-quality pepper jack for the best melting and flavor.
- Stir the macaroni occasionally while simmering to avoid sticking or burning.
Keywords: chili mac, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, cheesy pasta, bean chili pasta
Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/pioneer-woman-chili-mac-recipe/
