Vegetarian chili mac is a classic comfort food recipe that's made in one pot in just 30 minutes. This recipe is like a plant-based combination of chili and mac and cheese, and it is super easy to make!
Chili mac is a dinner recipe that I find myself making more than any other recipe on the blog. It's flavorful, cheesy, family-friendly and one of those recipes that even the pickiest non-vegetarians love!
This recipe is inspired by the chili mac that I grew up eating. My family sometimes calls this goulash, though technically it isn't goulash. It's actually inspired by Steak n Shake chili mac, which uses spaghetti instead of elbow pasta.
Vegetarian chili mac is like a combination of vegetarian chili and mac and cheese, all made together in one pot! If you love one pot pasta, then this recipe is for you.
Recipe features
- Quick and easy: Made in one pot in just 30 minutes! This is a fuss-free meal that only requires 10 minutes of active time.
- Flavors: Flavored with chili seasonings like chili powder, cumin, and tomato sauce.
- Healthy comfort food: Cheesy and comforting but filled with plant-based protein and veggies.
- Vegan and gluten-free optional: You can make chili mac vegan by omitting the cheese or replacing it with vegan shreds. Make it gluten-free using gluten-free pasta.
Main ingredients
- Kidney beans: I use a mix of light red and dark red kidney beans. Pinto beans, red beans, and even black beans work well. Choose cans labeled “no added salt” or use beans cooked from dry to limit added salt.
- Tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce make the chili base. Tomato sauce usually comes in 4-ounce, 8-ounce, or 16-ounce containers. Tomato passata is an okay substitution for tomato sauce if that is all that is available in your region/country.
- Pasta: Elbow macaroni is my go-to pasta for chili mac because it’s what is usually used in mac and cheese. However, any short or medium-grain pasta works. Try using whole wheat pasta or protein pasta for a healthy swap.
- Cumin, chili powder, and oregano are used for classic chili flavors.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar is my go-to, but you can also use Monterrey jack or shredded mozzarella.
Step by step instructions
Saute vegetables: Heat a 6-quart Dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat. Drizzle in the olive oil. Once hot, sauté onions and mushrooms until softened.
Add garlic and optional jalapenos, sautéing until aromatic. Stir in the spices, stirring frequently, and cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
Add the liquids: Pour in the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes with their juices, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Simmer: Once boiling, add the pasta and beans. Stir to prevent pasta from sticking to itself. Reduce to a rapid simmer and simmer until pasta is cooked.
Finishing touches: Stir in the cheese, taste for seasonings, and serve.
Recipe variations
- Gluten-free: Simply use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- For a more traditional and "meatier" chili mac texture, vegetarian/vegan "meatless grounds" (AKA meatless ground beef) can be added after cooking. Or try adding vegan tempeh taco meat.
- Spice: Add finely diced jalapeno or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for a spicier result.
- Vegan option: This recipe is easy to make dairy-free/vegan by using vegan shreds in place of cheddar cheese. My go-to is Chao cheese shreds but I also like Miyoko's cheddar.
- Mushrooms: Several readers have noted that they don't like adding mushrooms to their chili mac. I chop them very finely and add them for their "meaty" texture. Omit them if desired.
- Toppings: Sour cream, extra shredded cheddar, sliced green onions, cilantro and a dash of hot sauce are my go-to toppings.
Cooking tips
- Bring the liquids to a boil before adding pasta and leave the pot uncovered while cooking the pasta.
- Consistency: If your chili mac is still too liquidy when the pasta is finished cooking, keep the pot uncovered and continue to simmer the pot over medium-low heat. Simmering will evaporate excess liquid and continue thickening the sauce. The sauce becomes much thicker after refrigerating because the pasta continues to absorb the sauce.
- Pasta cook times: Cook times for pasta will vary based on brand. Cook until the pasta is al dente, or fork tender, for best results.
- Stir often: To ensure even cooking, stir the pasta occasionally while cooking. Boil uncovered.
Storage tips
- Leftovers: Refrigerate leftovers in a closed container for 3-4 days. Note that the pasta will absorb a significant amount of sauce when refrigerated.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. Add an extra splash of vegetable broth as needed. Reheat on the stove top over medium-low heat, stirring until warmed through.
- Freezing: Let the chili mac cool before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. I like to freeze it in individual portions for quick meals. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
More vegetarian dinner ideas
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One Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms diced
- 1 medium white onion diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small jalapeno diced; optional
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 12 ounces dry elbow pasta any short pasta works
- 2 15 ounce cans kidney beans drained and rinsed; I use light red and dark red beans
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Mozzarella or Montery Jack work too
- chopped green onions for topping
- chopped fresh cilantro for topping
- sour cream for topping
Instructions
- Heat a 6-quart pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Drizzle in the olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped mushrooms, diced onions, and bell pepper. Sprinkle with salt. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, or until the onions and mushrooms have softened.
- Add the garlic and optional jalapeno and sauté a minute more, or until golden and aromatic.
- Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, and black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Add a splash of vegetable broth, stirring to deglaze the pot (this removes any stuck on bits from the pot).
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the elbow noodles and drained kidney beans. Stir to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Boil uncovered until pasta is tender (see note 1).
- Once the pasta is cooked, turn off heat and stir in cheddar cheese. Serve topped with fresh cilantro, sour cream and sliced green onions. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Pasta: Pasta cook time will vary based on brand. Cook pasta until al dente, or fork tender.
- Beans: I use light red kidney beans and dark red kidney beans. Alternatively, you can use whatever bean you have on hand, like black beans or white beans.
- Broth: I prefer to use vegetable bouillon to broth these days because it is cheaper and tends to be more flavorful. I use about a tablespoon of bouillon per 4 cups water.
- Best within 3-4 days. The sauce thickens significantly after refrigerating as the pasta continues to absorb liquid. This meal can be portioned into large or individual containers and frozen for up to 3 months. These are the containers I use. It will need to thaw in the fridge for up to 24 hours before enjoying.
- You can watch the full step-by-step recipe video on my YouTube.
Britt
I’ve made this twice now. My mom, who not vegetarian, enjoyed it as well!
Cassidy Reeser
I love that! My parents aren't vegetarian and also like it - it's always nice to have a vegetarian dish that's approved by non-vegetarians! 🙂
Ally
I guess I have a bit of a question! I have made this before and LOVED it!!!! However, I am away at school and don't have a pot big enough to make this happen. Has anyone ever attempted this in the crockpot and been successful? I think I would sautee first and then just add everything to the crockpot for a few hours. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
Cassidy Reeser
It will definitely work but might take a little bit of experimenting! The pasta will cook pretty quickly, so I’d recommend cooking everything but the pasta on high for maybe 2 hours, (or low for 4-8 hours) then add the dry pasta just 20 minutes before serving and continue cooking on high. I’d love to hear what you end up doing!
Janet
I made this for dinner tonight and followed the recipe closely except I was out of mushrooms and I added a big splash of Worcestershire sauce and Tbsp of brown sugar. (just because I can’t leave recipes alone) even tho it is in the middle of summer it is a comforting bowl of goodness… especially with the cheese and tortilla chips on top. My son is a huge fan of Amy’s frozen meal Chili Mac and this was just the thing. Thanks!
Julie
This is really good! I made it as instructed, except for no salt and added a little sugar. It feels very hearty.
Deanna
This was great!
I'm vegetarian, my husband is not, and he really enjoyed this so much that he went back for seconds.
Will absolutely make it again.