Easy Chili Mac (with Extra Veggies)
Cheesy, comforting, and packed with plant-based protein and veggies, this family-friendly Chili Mac is a super yummy dinner for everyone at the table. (Bonus: Leftovers reheat so well!)
Servings: 8 -10 servings
Calories: 303kcal
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta (I prefer small shapes like mini shells, elbows, farfalle, or ditalini)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or unsalted butter)
- 4 cups very finely chopped or shredded veggies (such as sweet potato, butternut squash, carrot, onion, and/or bell peppers)
- 2 garlic cloves (peeled and minced)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Spanish paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water or reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 14.5- ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 14.5- ounce cans beans (such as kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans, rinsed and drained)
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
- Cilantro, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and/or any other desired taco toppings (optional)
Instructions
- Set a large pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, set a medium skillet over medium heat and add the oil. When warmed, add the veggies, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and salt. Stir, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the veggies are soft.
- Add the water (or broth) and tomato sauce and stir to combine.
- Drain the beans in a colander and rinse with water.
- Stir the beans into the veggie mixture and warm through for about 5 minutes.
- Drain the pasta.
- Add the pasta to the skillet with the veggies (or to a big bowl if the skillet isn't big enough). Stir in the cheese. Serve warm topped with desired toppings. (This isn't super saucy, but you can increase the liquid if desired. See the Notes below for details.)
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the fridge. Reheat to serve, adding a few drops of water if the mixture seems dry.
- To make a smaller amount, cut everything in half. (Or just use half as much pasta! That way will be saucier than the photos shown here but that's an option to decrease the overall final volume.)
- Use 4 cups total veggies. Any one veggie or combo will work. (I prefer either butternut squash and sweet potato in the mix, though.)
- Use precut veggies to make this easier if you like.
- I like to use short shapes of pasta like mini shells, elbows, farfalle, ditalini, or penne.
- This is not super saucy, but if you want more sauce, either decrease the volume of pasta slightly (as in, use less than a full 1 pound box) or add up to an additional 1/2 cup water or broth.
- Stir in a cup of frozen corn at the end of cooking if desired.
- Top with taco-type toppings such as sour cream, shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, and/or guacamole. You could even crush tortilla chips on top!
Nutrition
Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 889mg | Potassium: 940mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 10213IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 223mg | Iron: 5mg