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    HOME » Recipes » Beef

    Published: Feb 20, 2014 · Modified: Feb 18, 2021· This website generates income via ads ·

    Chili Mac

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    "Jimmy, Jimmy, oh Jimmy Mack, when are you com in' back?
    My arms are missing you, my lips feel the same way too..."

    Jimmy Mack was a catchy little Motown tune, recorded by Martha and the Vandellas in the late 1960's.

    chilimac

    Chili Mac was a Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper flavor introduced in the early 1970's.

    Untitled-1

    When I think about Chili Mac, the song Jimmy Mack always gets stuck in my head. Always.

    barnie

    Newsflash: Chili Mac Hamburger Helper has been discontinued! 

    Well, maybe it's a coincidence but...

    "Chili, Chili, oh Chili Mac, when are you comin' back?
    My arms are missing you, my lips feel the same way too..."

    It is these moments that make us ponder. "Am I psychic?" "Did I unknowingly predict the demise of Chili Mac Hamburger Helper decades in advance?" And, "Chili Mac will you be comin' back?"

    Hamburger Helper was a staple in my household in the 70's when I was a working Mom raising two kids. It was a much simpler time. Scratch cooking was being replaced by convenience products that allowed us to get home from work and still get dinner on the table before bedtime. No one thought much about additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. These meals were easy, fast, and many of them actually tasted good, including chili mac.

    Fast forward forty years when I have all the time in the world to get dinner on the table. I still like a comfort food classic like chili mac now and again. A pretty jar of curly pasta on my kitchen counter this week brought back memories of chili mac and, I had to have it. Immediately the song Jimmy Mack came into my head and is stuck there still, four days later.

    I am not inclined to grab boxed "dinners" off the shelf in the grocery store these days but I knew the recipe for chili mac could not be too complicated, minus the ingredients I can't pronounce.  I gave it a shot, winging it all the way, and ended up with a tasty version of chili mac.

    It was still good warmed up for lunch yesterday!

    chilimac-3

    Give it a try, but consider yourself warned, that song will get stuck in your head.

    Chili Mac

    Just like the stuff Mom heated up from the can but WAY better!
    5 from 1 vote
    PRINT Pin
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 558 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large skillet.

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup chopped onion
    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 8 ounces macaroni
    • 1 small can 8 ounces tomato sauce
    • ½ cup tomato Catsup
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 TBS chili powder more if you like it spicy
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
    • Sliced scallions and sour cream for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, brown onion in olive oil until just translucent.
    • Add the ground beef and continue to cook until browned and crumbly.
    • Add macaroni to boiling salted water and cook to al dente' stage, then drain.
    • To the ground beef add tomato sauce, catsup, water, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
    • Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; cover and continue to heat until cheese is melted.
    • Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of finely sliced scallions.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Chili Mac
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    558
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    20
    g
    31
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    9
    g
    45
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    100
    mg
    33
    %
    Sodium
     
    1145
    mg
    48
    %
    Potassium
     
    713
    mg
    20
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    54
    g
    18
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    12
    %
    Sugar
     
    9
    g
    10
    %
    Protein
     
    40
    g
    80
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1033
    IU
    21
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    3
    mg
    4
    %
    Calcium
     
    245
    mg
    25
    %
    Iron
     
    4
    mg
    22
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Approximate nutrition information is provided as a convenience and courtesy only. You are encouraged to do your own calculations if precise data is required.

    Keyword chili mac
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

    1. Kathi says

      February 25, 2014 at 7:09 pm

      Homemade chili mac is one of my favorite comfort foods. 🙂
      Thank you for sharing this at the HomeAcre Hop; I hope you'll join us again this Thursday.
      Kathi at Oak Hill Homestead

      Reply
    2. Sandra says

      February 24, 2014 at 7:46 pm

      I am sure this is many times better than the boxed mix! Thanks for linking up at The Four Seasons Blog Hop! Sandra from Scrumptilicious 3 You!

      Reply
    3. Prototype Mama says

      February 23, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      Oh, I use to love when my grandmother made chilli mac for dinner! Thanks for sharing your recipe over at That's Fresh Friday this weekend.

      Reply

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    I am Mary, the blogger behind "Oh That's Good!" I am a former nurse, former hobby farm blogger, former vintage shop owner, and current food blogger. I live with my husband and our little mutt Tucker in a lovely retirement community. I am cooking for two and taking inspiration from old cookbooks, magazines, and memories of watching my mother and grandmother cook. I like reducing my food waste and exorbitant grocery bills! I am busy rewriting my recipes for two servings with the option of adjusting the recipe up to four or six servings with just one click.

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