Chili Mac and Cheese

Name: Chili Mac and Cheese with Ground Beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz elbow macaroni; 1 tbsp olive oil; ½ yellow onion, finely chopped; 1 lb ground beef; 1 tbsp chili powder; 2 tsp cumin; 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 (15 oz) can fire roasted tomatoes, drained; 8 oz monterey jack cheese; 2 tbsp sour cream; 1 scallion, thinly sliced; 1 tsp kosher salt

This chili mac and cheese combines tender elbow pasta, seasoned ground beef, kidney beans, and melted monterey jack cheese in one comforting dish. Flavored with chili powder and cumin but made mild enough for kids, it's a satisfying family dinner that takes under 30 minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Chili 🏷️Mac and cheese 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Monterey jack 🏷️Kidney beans

🏷️Fire roasted tomatoes

Total

40 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni
1 tbsp olive oil
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can fire roasted tomatoes, drained
8 oz monterey jack cheese
2 tbsp sour cream
1 scallion, thinly sliced
1 tsp kosher salt

12 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Place 8 oz elbow macaroni and 1 tbsp salt in the Suvie starch strainer set within the Suvie pasta pot (green handles). Place pot inside the Suvie Starch Cooker, ensuring pot is centered on the hot plate. Close the door, input settings, and cook now. Suvie Starch Cooker Settings: Pasta, 8 minutes.
2
While the macaroni cooks, stir 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ finely chopped onion, 1 lb ground beef, 1 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp kosher salt in a Suvie pan. Place pan in the bottom zone of Suvie. Stir 1 can kidney beans and 1 can fire roasted tomatoes in a second Suvie pan and place in the top zone of Suvie. Input settings, and cook now. Suvie Cook Settings: Bottom Zone: Roast at 400°F for 20 minutes, Top Zone: Roast at 400°F for 20 minutes.
3
After the macaroni has finished cooking, drain and transfer to a large bowl with 8 oz monterey jack and 2 tbsp sour cream, stirring to combine.
4
Remove pans from Suvie and add contents to bowl with macaroni. Stir to incorporate and season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide mixture between the 2 Suvie pans. Return pans to Suvie and broil for 5 minutes. Remove pans, divide chili mac and cheese between bowls, top with sliced scallions, and serve.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Drain fire-roasted tomatoes well to prevent the dish from becoming watery and diluting the cheese sauce.
Stir the sour cream in at the end off the heat for a creamy texture without risk of curdling.
Cook pasta 1-2 minutes under al dente since it will continue softening when mixed with the warm chili and cheese.
Taste before serving and adjust chili powder and cumin to preference—the longer it sits, the more the spices develop.

Substitutions

Fire roasted tomatoes → crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes (canned or fresh, drained well)
Monterey jack cheese → sharp cheddar or colby cheese (adjust amount slightly for desired creaminess)
Kidney beans → black beans or pinto beans (maintains texture and flavor profile)
Sour cream → Greek yogurt or heavy cream (yogurt adds tanginess, cream adds richness)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency. Freezes well for up to 2 months.