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    Framed Cooks ยป Recipes ยป Pasta and Pizza

    Chili Mac

    Published: Apr 12, 2022 ยท Modified: Mar 13, 2025 by Kate Morgan Jackson ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy chili mac recipe is a mixture of pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, cheese and a secret ingredient that folks will never guess!

    Bowl of Chili Mac with spoon.
    Jump to:
    • Why we love this recipe
    • What is Creamed Corn?
    • Ingredients you need
    • How to make this recipe
    • Recipe FAQs
    • What to serve with this recipe
    • Other macaroni recipes we love! โค๏ธ
    • We want to know what you think! ๐Ÿค”
    • Chili Mac

    Why we love this recipe

    There are about a million or so variations on this recipe and you can pretty much customize it the way you want to, but my approach is the non-bean/cheesy variety: ground beef, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, spices…and creamed corn.

    There it is, my chili mac secret is out. It’s all about the creamed corn. It adds that special something that makes this classic cheesy macaroni supper extra delicious.

    And, it’s a recipe that is all but guaranteed to please even the pickiest eater at your table, and what’s better than that? Well, that and the fact that it is ready in about 30 minutes!

    What is Creamed Corn?

    Creamed corn is basically a mixture of cooked corn kernels and a puree of even more corn kernels, making it a little soupy, a little sweet and a whole lot of delicious, and it’s what sets this easy chili mac recipe apart.

    Side Note: I was describing this elegant meal to a friend and he said, “so it’s basically Hamburger Helper, right?”

    Well, um, yes. Without all the chemical additives.

    I am pretty sure he meant that as a compliment…because who doesn’t love a little Hamburger Helper every once in a while?

    Ingredients you need

    Here’s all you need to make this kid-friendly scrumptiousness!

    • Elbow macaroni
    • Ground beef
    • Sweet onion
    • Creamed corn
    • Diced tomatoes
    • Tomato sauce
    • Chili powder
    • Oregano
    • Cumin
    • Salt and pepper
    • Shredded cheddar cheese

    I’m guessing you have a lot of this on hand already…except maybe for the creamed corn. And it’s so worth a trip to the store to get some.

    How to make this recipe

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

    1. Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.
    2. While the pasta is cooking, cook beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until brown. Scoop out the beef and set aside.
    3. Cook onion in same pan for about 5 minutes. Return beef to pan and stir in everything except the macaroni and cheese. Stir until heated through.
    4. Add macaroni and cheese and stir until cheese is melted.
    5. Dig in!

    Recipe FAQs

    Where can I find creamed corn?

    You can find this dreamy ingredient in the canned vegetable aisle of your supermarket…right next to the regular canned corn.

    Can I make this with ground turkey?

    Yep! Or ground pork, or ground chicken.

    Can this be made ahead?

    It can! When you are ready to serve it up, reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring until it is the temperature you like it.

    Have a question that I didn’t cover?

    Pop your question in the Comments section below and I will answer pronto!

    And there you have it. Creamed corn. TRUST ME.

    What to serve with this recipe

    Even with the corn and tomatoes in this recipe I like to have another veggie or a salad on the side. And some cookies for dessert!

    • Carrots with fresh thyme on a white plate.
      Carrots with Thyme
    • Cherry tomato green bean salad in a bowl.
      Green Bean Tomato Salad
    • roasted string beans with walnuts
      Roasted String Beans with Walnuts
    • Blue dory cookies on a plate.
      Blue Dory Chocolate Chunk Cookies

    Other macaroni recipes we love! ❤️

    • Bowl of creamy taco macaroni and cheese.
      Taco Macaroni and Cheese
    • Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese in a bowl with a fork.
      Ham Macaroni and Cheese
    • Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni
    • Steakhouse macaroni and cheese in a bowl with a fork.
      Steakhouse Macaroni and Cheese

    We want to know what you think! 🤔

    If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe.

    Print

    Chili Mac

    Bowl of Chili Mac with spoon.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 2 reviews

    This easy recipe for chili mac is a mixture of pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, cheese and a secret ingredient that folks will never guess!

    • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 6
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 peeled and diced sweet onion
    • 1 17 ounce can creamed corn
    • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
    • 2 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
    • 3 tablespoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • Salt and pepper
    • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

    Instructions

    1. Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.
    2. While the pasta is cooking, cook beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until brown. Scoop out the beef and set aside.
    3. Cook onion in same pan for about 5 minutes. Return beef to pan and stir in everything except the macaroni and cheese. Stir until heated through.
    4. Add macaroni and cheese and stir until cheese is melted.
    5. Dig in!

    Equipment We Used to Make This Recipe

    Image of Cutting Board

    Cutting Board

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    Image of Large Pot

    Large Pot

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    Image of Large Skillet

    Large Skillet

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    Measuring Cup

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    Strainer

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    Notes

    Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying (without any extra cost to you)!  Thanks for using them to keep our kitchen cooking…xoxo!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @FramedCooks on Facebook or Instagram…we want to see it!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Grace says

      September 14, 2023 at 8:18 pm

      So yummy!!! I was looking for a way to use my leftover ground beef from taco night and this was perfect!

      Reply
    2. Karen Nelson says

      April 16, 2022 at 9:31 pm

      Funny thing.. my husband said,โ€ya know? I would like chili Macโ€โ€ฆ I knew the perfect recipe ! Oh my gosh Kate… who knew! Creamed corn! Such a yummy addition.. next time I might add 2 cans! A definite hit and easy peasy!even though no peas๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
      • Kate Morgan Jackson says

        April 17, 2022 at 10:58 am

        It was meant to be! And you can 100% add peas. :) :) xoxo

        Reply
    3. Daniele Asay says

      April 12, 2022 at 2:19 pm

      Love your column! I was wondering if I don’t have a sweet onion may I substitute for a different onion?

      Reply
      • Kate Morgan Jackson says

        April 12, 2022 at 5:26 pm

        Daniele! Thank you so much for your sweet words. And yes, you can swap in either a white onion or even a couple of shallots…hope you love this as much as we do!

        Reply

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    Kate from Framed Cooks

    Hi, Iโ€™m Kate! Iโ€™m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here!

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