Best 5 Chili Mac For A Crowd Recipes

Looking for a hearty and flavorful dish to feed a crowd? Look no further than chili mac! This classic comfort food is easy to make and always a hit. In this article, we'll share two delicious chili mac recipes: a traditional version and a vegetarian version. We'll also provide tips for making the best chili mac, as well as some fun variations on this classic dish. Whether you're feeding a large family or hosting a party, chili mac is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So gather your ingredients and let's get started!

### Traditional Chili Mac Recipe
Our traditional chili mac recipe is made with ground beef, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. It's a hearty and flavorful dish that's sure to warm you up on a cold day. For the vegetarian version, we use black beans and lentils instead of ground beef, and we add some extra vegetables for a boost of nutrition. Both versions of chili mac are served over a bed of macaroni noodles, and they're topped with shredded cheese and sour cream.

### Tips for Making the Best Chili Mac
- Use a good quality chili seasoning mix. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your dish.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of chili peppers. If you like it spicy, add a few serrano or habanero peppers.
- Use a variety of vegetables. This will add color, texture, and nutrients to your chili mac.
- Cook the macaroni noodles al dente. This means they should be slightly firm to the bite.
- Don't overcook the chili. It should be thick and hearty, but not dry.
- Serve chili mac with your favorite toppings. Shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped onions are all classic choices.

### Fun Variations on Chili Mac
- Add some cornbread crumbs to the top of your chili mac before baking. This will give it a crispy, crunchy topping.
- Stir in some cooked bacon or sausage to the chili mac for a boost of flavor.
- Top the chili mac with a fried egg for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Serve chili mac with a side of coleslaw or potato salad for a complete meal.

No matter how you choose to make it, chili mac is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give chili mac a try! And remember, the best chili mac is the one that you make with love.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHILI MAC

Chili Mac image

Add a little spice to this comfort food favorite, by sprinkling on Sargento Shredded Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Mexican Cheese. Ole!

Provided by Sargento

Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Sargento

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can Mexican or chili-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
½ cup water
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
2 cups elbow macaroni or small shells, cooked and drained
2 cups Sargento ® Shredded Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Mexican Cheese, divided

Steps:

Cook ground beef, onion and green pepper in large skillet over medium heat 5 minutes or until beef is no longer pink; pour off drippings. Add tomatoes, water and taco seasoning; simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Toss pasta with meat mixture. Spoon 3 cups of mixture into an 11x7-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese; top with remaining meat mixture. Cover with foil; bake in preheated 375 degrees F oven 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Return to oven 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 429.5 calories, Carbohydrate 37.2 g, Cholesterol 82.5 mg, Fat 17.1 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 32.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 893.9 mg, Sugar 5.7 g

GRAMMA'S OLD FASHIONED CHILI MAC

Gramma's Old Fashioned Chili Mac image

This is an old family recipe that my mom has cooked for 50 years. It's a wonderful, 'stick-to-the-ribs' meal that goes wonderful with warm cornbread or rolls. I find that kids love this when they don't like regular 'spicy' chili. Enjoy!

Provided by Sue

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Chili Recipes Beef Chili Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 cup elbow macaroni
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
½ large green bell pepper, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
⅛ cup brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a small saucepan, simmer celery and green pepper with water to cover until tender; Drain.
Place ground beef in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook until evenly brown. Add onion, and cook until tender and translucent. Drain excess fat. Add celery and green pepper. Stir in kidney beans, condensed tomato soup, diced tomatoes and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in macaroni.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Carbohydrate 49.2 g, Cholesterol 64.3 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Fiber 7.3 g, Protein 22.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.5 g, Sodium 996.8 mg, Sugar 16.6 g

CHILI MAC

Chili Mac image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 pound corkscrew shaped pasta with lines or elbows with lines
2 pounds ground sirloin
2 tablespoons (2 turns around the pan in a slow stream) extra-virgin olive oil
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seed and chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 palm fuls) dark chili powder
2 tablespoons (1 palm ful) cumin
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper sauce
Coarse salt
1 cup beer or beef broth
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice
1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Chopped scallions, for garnish

Steps:

In a large pot, boil pasta until al dente.
Meanwhile, in a big, deep pot, brown beef in oil over medium high heat. Add onions, peppers, and garlic. Season meat mixture with chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and salt. Cook together 5 minutes, stir in beer or broth, and reduce liquid by half, 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
Drain pasta. Add hot pasta to chili pot and stir to coat pasta evenly. Remove from heat and garnish big bowlfuls of chili mac with chopped scallions.

CHILI FOR A CROWD

Chili for a Crowd image

This chili for a crowd was handed down to me by my aunt, who said she got it from a "grizzled Montana mountain man." I added some zesty ingredients to come up with the final version. Hot food is something that my husband's family isn't accustomed to, so I adjust the spices for them. In fact, with a few simple alterations to the "heat" index, I can serve this chili to anyone. -Lisa Humphreys, Wasilla, Alaska

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner Lunch

Time 1h25m

Yield 24 servings (6 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

3 pounds ground beef
2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans or 4 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans or black beans, rinsed and drained
1 pound smoked kielbasa, sliced and halved
2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
2/3 cup hickory-flavored barbecue sauce
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
5 fresh banana peppers, seeded and sliced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground mustard
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon each dried oregano, thyme and sage
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced

Steps:

In an 8-qt. kettle or Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. , Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 207 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 40mg cholesterol, Sodium 422mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 15g protein.

CHILI MAC FOR A CROWD

Chili Mac for a Crowd image

A family favorite during winter months. Serves a crowd, reheats easily, and also can be frozen to enjoy as a lunch or light meal later. It's versatile, so change it to fit your own taste!

Provided by Valerie Quinn

Categories Beef

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 box macaroni, elbow (14.5 oz)
1 large green bell pepper, diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 clove minced garlic
1 pkg frozen corn
2 lb ground beef
2 can(s) diced tomatoes (no salt added) with juice
2 can(s) chili (with beans)
1 can(s) black beans, rinsed & drained
3 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 pkg cheddar cheese, shredded

Steps:

1. Cook pasta for one minute less than it says on the box, drain, and set aside.
2. Brown the ground beef, drain, rinse, and set aside.
3. In a large dutch oven type pan, melt the butter with the olive oil, and saute onion, peppers, and garlic until tender but not wimpy.
4. Add canned chili, corn, diced tomatoes, ground beef, beans, pepper, and chili powder to the veggies, and stir well. Heat to near a boil. Cover and then simmer for 10-15 minutes.*
5. Add cooked macaroni and mix well, then stir in about one cup of shredded cheese, and allow to melt.
6. Serve Chili Mac with additional cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream, and corn bread (if desired)
7. * If making this a few hours ahead, put everything in a large crockpot rather than simmering in the pan, add the cooked mac, cover and heat on low for 2-3 hours.

Tips:

Brown the meat well: This will help to develop the flavor of the chili and give it a richer color.
Use a variety of beans: This will add different flavors and textures to the chili. Some good options include kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans.
Don't be afraid to add spices: Chili is a great dish to experiment with different spices. Some good options include chili powder, cumin, and oregano.
Let the chili simmer for a long time: This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop. The longer you simmer the chili, the better it will taste.
Serve with your favorite toppings: Some good options include shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped onions.

Conclusion:

Chili is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it mild or spicy, with beans or without, chili is a dish that everyone can enjoy. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give chili a try.