Pioneer Woman Chili Mac recipe includes yellow onion, garlic, olive oil, ground beef, flour, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, tomato sauce, beef broth, macaroni, and shredded cheddar. It serves 6 and takes about 30-40 minutes to prepare and cook.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipe:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Sausage Quiche
- Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Chili Mac Recipe:
- Comfort Food at Its Best: Combining the hearty richness of chili with the beloved comfort of macaroni and cheese, this dish delivers a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.
- One-Pot Wonder: The entire meal is prepared in a single pot, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze. This simplicity is perfect for busy weeknights or when you prefer minimal kitchen mess.
- Rich in Flavor: The combination of spices, tomato sauce, and beef broth creates a deeply flavorful sauce that is both comforting and tantalizingly delicious.
- Quick to Make: With a total time from start to finish of about 30-40 minutes, this recipe is quick enough for a weeknight meal, ensuring you have a delicious dinner on the table without having to spend hours cooking.
❓ What Is Pioneer Woman Chili Mac Recipe?
Pioneer Woman Chili Mac recipe is a comforting one-pot dish combining ground beef, onion, garlic, spices, tomato sauce, beef broth, and macaroni, finished with shredded cheddar cheese. It’s a hearty, flavorful meal that’s easy to make and perfect for any night.
🥩 Pioneer Woman Chili Mac Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1/2 lb. uncooked macaroni (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
🥘 How To Make Pioneer Woman Chili Mac
- Dice 1 yellow onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic. In a large pot or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add 1 pound of ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the cooked beef. Add 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano. Stir to combine and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the spices to become fragrant.
- Pour 8 ounces of tomato sauce and 3 cups of beef broth into the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, making sure to scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in 1/2 pound (about 2 cups) of uncooked macaroni. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Once the macaroni is cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until it’s melted and evenly distributed throughout the dish.
- Serve the Chili Mac hot, optionally garnished with additional cheese, fresh herbs, or a dollop of sour cream.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Lean Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for less fat. If using a higher fat content beef, you might want to drain the excess fat after browning to keep the dish from being too greasy.
- Cheese Varieties: Experiment with different types of cheese for topping or mixing into the Chili Mac. A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack or even a sprinkle of Parmesan can add depth to the flavor.
- Simmering Time: Keep an eye on the macaroni as it cooks. Overcooking can lead to mushy pasta. Taste test a piece of macaroni near the end of cooking time to ensure it’s perfectly al dente.
- Stirring: Stir the mixture occasionally while it simmers to prevent the macaroni from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure even cooking.
- Thickening: If the Chili Mac is too liquidy for your taste, let it simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes after the pasta is cooked. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and the sauce to thicken.
🥙 What To Serve With Chili Mac?
Serve Chili Mac with a green salad, garlic bread or cornbread for dipping, steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach for a green side, and coleslaw for crunch for dessert, a light fruit salad complements the hearty dish.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Chili Mac?
- Refrigerator: Cool Leftovers Chili Mac to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight containe rstore in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Place cooled Leftovers Chili Mac in a freezer-safe container freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Chili Mac?
- Microwave: Place Leftovers Chili Mac in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely heat it on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Stovetop: Transfer to a pan Leftovers Chili Mac add a splash of water or broth heat over medium stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes until hot.
FAQ’S
Can I use different types of pasta for Chili Mac?
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is traditional, feel free to use any short pasta like penne, fusilli, or rotini. The key is to use pasta that can hold onto the chili sauce well.
Can I make Chili Mac ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare Chili Mac in advance and reheat it, making it a great option for meal prep or busy weeknights. Just be aware that the pasta may absorb more sauce upon standing, so you might need to add a little broth or water when reheating.
Is it possible to make Chili Mac vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make it vegetarian by substituting the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or additional beans such as kidney beans, black beans, or lentils.
How can I make my Chili Mac spicier or milder?
Adjust the heat by varying the amount of chili powder or adding chopped jalapenos for more spice. For a milder version, reduce the chili powder and consider a sweet paprika instead of smoked.
Can I use canned chili for Chili Mac?
While homemade chili offers more control over ingredients and flavors, in a pinch, canned chili can be used to create a quick version of Chili Mac.
How can I thicken my Chili Mac if it’s too runny?
If your Chili Mac is too liquidy, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce, or mix in a small slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce.
Can I make Chili Mac in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make the chili component in a slow cooker, adding cooked pasta and cheese just before serving to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipe:
Pioneer Woman Chili Mac Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 247 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 49mg
- Sodium: 321mg
- Potassium: 415mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Vitamin A: 1541IU
- Vitamin C: 10mg
- Calcium: 184mg
- Iron: 2mg
Pioneer Woman Chili Mac Recipe
Description
Pioneer Woman Chili Mac recipe includes yellow onion, garlic, olive oil, ground beef, flour, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, tomato sauce, beef broth, macaroni, and shredded cheddar. It serves 6 and takes about 30-40 minutes to prepare and cook.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Dice 1 yellow onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic. In a large pot or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add 1 pound of ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the cooked beef. Add 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano. Stir to combine and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the spices to become fragrant.
- Pour 8 ounces of tomato sauce and 3 cups of beef broth into the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, making sure to scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in 1/2 pound (about 2 cups) of uncooked macaroni. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Once the macaroni is cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until it’s melted and evenly distributed throughout the dish.
- Serve the Chili Mac hot, optionally garnished with additional cheese, fresh herbs, or a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
- Lean Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for less fat. If using a higher fat content beef, you might want to drain the excess fat after browning to keep the dish from being too greasy.
- Cheese Varieties: Experiment with different types of cheese for topping or mixing into the Chili Mac. A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack or even a sprinkle of Parmesan can add depth to the flavor.
- Simmering Time: Keep an eye on the macaroni as it cooks. Overcooking can lead to mushy pasta. Taste test a piece of macaroni near the end of cooking time to ensure it’s perfectly al dente.
- Stirring: Stir the mixture occasionally while it simmers to prevent the macaroni from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure even cooking.
- Thickening: If the Chili Mac is too liquidy for your taste, let it simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes after the pasta is cooked. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and the sauce to thicken.