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Gluten-free Chili Mac with its spicy ground beef and tangy tomato sauce is an easy dinner recipe that will please the entire family. Conveniently made in a single pot, it’s a quick, comforting dinner made of 5 ingredients that you probably have at home already.
It has saved the day on countless occasions in this house! Every person in our family knows how to make this, so we can avoid dinnertime distress ( and if they forget, it's easy enough that I can call out the instructions from my sick bed, or sewing room, or over the phone...)
Whether you’re dealing with picky eaters or food allergies, this 20 minute comfort food is sure to be one of your family’s favorite warm meals. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner that can be on the table in 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s gluten-free, and dairy-free. It has a lot in common with my Baked Ziti Casserole recipe, so if you love easy meals made on the stovetop go check it out!
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Why One Pot Chili Mac is Such a Great Meal
- It’s only got 5 ingredients that are all pantry staples (except for the meat).
- It couldn't be easier! It’s one of the first recipes my kids learned how to make on their own
- The whole thing is made in one pot, so you have far fewer dishes to do after dinner (another thing kids like).
- It’s my favorite “plan B” meal. If you keep these simple ingredients on hand, you’ll always have something hot and homemade to eat, even if your dinner plans fall through.
- It can suit many food allergies and intolerances, and can fit in the low FODMAP diet, if you make your own taco seasoning (I’ve got a post about that here).
- All you’ll need to complete this meal is a simple vegetable side dish. Healthy 8 salad, Sweet chili Cucumber salad, and Low carb coleslaw are all awesome choices.
Here's what You'll Need (just 5 ingredients!)
- Lean ground beef or ground turkey
- Tomato sauce
- Taco seasoning - make your own with this recipe
- Macaroni noodles or other pasta, see our gluten free comparisons below ⬇️
- Broth - we use beef broth, but you can also use chicken or vegetable broth.
Feed the Whole Family
This recipe can easily be doubled so you can feed 8. You'll just need a big pot to cook it in. Here's the links to 2 pots that I own and love:
Want a big pot of Chili Mac? I gotcha covered!
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → What to Look for when Buying Gluten Free Pasta
I found some great options for gluten free pasta in my local grocery store. I was looking for as many different pasta shapes as I could find, and a wide variety of ingredients.
I’ll give you the pros and cons of my top 4:
Barilla corn and rice rotini
Pros: our family loves the flavor and color of this pasta the best.
Cons: It can break apart easily when it’s stirred while hot. But pretty much all gluten free pastas do that at some point
Banza chickpea pasta, wheels
Pros: It's got a whopping 11 grams of protein per serving, plus 5 grams of fiber.
Cons: There are only 8 ounces in a box, so you’d have to buy 2 boxes to get enough for this recipe, plus there will be a little left over.
Jovial brown rice farfalle (bowtie pasta)
Pros: The texture and flavor of this is really, really good! It holds together a bit better when it’s stirred while hot, although you still have to be careful though.
Cons: It was more expensive than some of the other brands, but I really think it’s worth it!
Tinkyada brown rice macaroni noodles
Pros: Great price, and the macaroni comes in 16 ounce bags. Most other brands came in 12 ounce bags (except for Banza - 8 oz.) This is the pasta I used for the main images in this blog post, and it held up pretty well.
Cons: It tends to get mushy if it cooks even a little too long, so watch it carefully!
How to Make this Easy Chili Mac
Step 1. Brown the beef.
Step 2. Add tomato sauce and broth.
Step 3. Stir in taco seasoning, bring to a boil.
Step 4. Add pasta and reduce heat.
Step 5. Add extra water, depending on the type of pasta used.
Step 6. When the pasta is done, serve.
Our Favorite Toppings
Everyone in our family likes to top their Chili Mac in a different way. In the photos you'll see it topped with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. But there are lots of other choices!
Dairy toppings:
- Cheddar cheese
- Monterey jack cheese
- Mexican cheese blend
- Asadero cheese, also called “quesadilla cheese”
- Sour cream
Non-dairy toppings:
Nutritional yeast - we love sprinkling it on this chili mac recipe! It’s dairy free, and it adds some important minerals to your diet. The flavor reminds me of parmesan cheese.
Other toppings that work well here:
- Green bell pepper
- Diced tomatoes
- Tortilla chips
- Hot sauce or sriracha sauce
20 Minute Chili Mac
This comforting Chili Mac, with its spicy ground beef and tangy tomato sauce, is a super fast family favorite!
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
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1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
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2 cups of tomato sauce, or 15 oz. can
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3 tablespoons taco seasoning, or 1 packet
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12 oz. gluten free pasta
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2 cups of beef broth or vegetable broth (or water)
Instructions
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In a large pot or deep skillet, brown the ground beef. Use a bit of oil if needed.
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Add the tomato sauce and broth.
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Stir in the taco seasoning, and bring to a boil.
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Once it boils, add the pasta. Reduce to medium heat and stir gently as needed to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.Gluten free pasta can be fragile when hot!
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Add extra water as needed. Different pasta types will need more or less liquid as they cook.
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When the pasta is al dente, it’s ready to serve.
Notes
Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef, and use any kind of pasta shape you like. This recipe is very versatile!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: dinner
- Method: stove top
- Diet: Gluten Free
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
This easy recipe is also easy to store and reheat, and the leftovers taste even better the next day.
Store in a covered container for up to 5 days if needed.
Reheat in a microwave safe container, adding roughly a teaspoon of water per cup of cold Chili Mac. This will help the pasta keep its creamy texture as it heats. This is especially important for gluten free pasta which can get hard and crunchy when it’s cold.
Start with a minute, stir, and reheat if needed.
More Easy Family Favorites
One More Thing 👇
This recipe is part of my collection of 20 minute dinners. Come check it out!
russ
More like Chilly Mac. You eat this on a Chilly winter day and oh boy it will warm up your tum tum.