Chili mac soup has the perfect combination of pasta, beef, tomatoes and chili beans for a hearty meal. This is the chili soup we grew up with. It has beef and beans and plenty of macaroni noodles making it popular with the whole family.
Believe it or not, this soup is what we knew as chili growing up. Of course, the chili I make for the football watching crew these days is quite a bit different than this.
But you can certainly see why a mom with 6 hungry kids would whip up this more kid friendly version. A mild chili flavor with just enough beans to make it a complete meal and plenty of macaroni to make it kid friendly makes it accessible to everyone.
Of course we knew the difference between chili and this, that is why this was always chili soup and chili was just chili. We used to eat a lot of chili soup and not much chili.
Now we eat a lot of chili, but every once in a while you still need to break out some chili soup. When you do, be sure to have oyster crackers and cheese on hand. It’s the only way to fix it!
You want to know the funny thing about chili soup? If you put a lot of macaroni in it, like I normally do, the leftovers are practically goulash.
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The pasta soaks up a lot of the “juice” and magically it turns into something new that is very reminiscent of goulash. Voila! It’s like a whole different second meal with no extra effort.
I will have to ask my mom to confirm, but I am pretty sure this is the chili she grew up with as well. I know she refers to it as Maw-Maw’s recipe, so that has to be the case!
No matter where the recipe came from, it is sure to be a budge friendly family pleaser on a cold day.
We always make this with elbow macaroni noodles. Then the day I was in the mood to make it for the blog, I went to the pantry to grab a box and guess what… no elbows!
I was heartbroken and discouraged and almost scrapped the plan to make chili mac, but decided to persevere in the face of adversity. So I forged on with rotini instead. Though it still tasted good, it just wasn’t the same.
More recipes from Maw-Maw:
Maw-Maw’s One Pan Scalloped Potatoes and Pork Chops is another great comfort food meal. The pork chops bake right on top of the scalloped potatoes and both give such great flavor to the other. All you need is a vegetable and dinner is done!
Maw-Maw’s Velveeta Lasagna is definitely different than you classic lasagna, but oh so good. It would be fun to have your family be surprised by what is inside!
Maw-Maw’s Chili Mac Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 diced green pepper optional
- 2 15.5 oz. cans chili beans
- 2 15.5 oz. cans kidney beans
- 1 14.5 oz. can chopped tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 4 cups tomato juice
- 6 cups beef broth
- 6 oz macaroni noodles or shape of your choice
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, cook the 1 pound ground beef, 1 small onion and 1 diced green pepper (if using) with a bit of salt and pepper until meat is brown and onions are soft.
- Stir in 2 15.5 oz. cans chili beans, 2 15.5 oz. cans kidney beans, 1 14.5 oz. can chopped tomatoes, 2 Tablespoons chili powder, 6 cups beef broth, and 4 cups tomato juice. Simmer for at least a half hour or as long as you’d like. Be sure to stir occasionally.
- Bring to a boil and stir in 6 oz macaroni noodles. Cook to your liking using the instructions on the box to estimate time required.
- Garnish with shredded cheese and oyster crackers, if desired.
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I am from Indiana. I grew up eating Chili Soup too. A few differences. My Mom and my Mammaw put sugar in theirs. They also used more tomato juice, no beef broth, a large sweet onion, a bit of garlic, stewed and diced tomatoes, and 1 envelope of mild chili seasoning and 1 envelope of hot chili seasoning.I still make my Chili Soup this way, but call it Hoosier Chili. I have made a huge crock pot of Hoosier Chili for many people from many different places. My husband is retired from the US Navy, so we have moved a lot and met people from all over. People just love my Hoosier Chili! They say they have never had anything quite like it. The macaroni makes it!!
This is the closest to our family’s Chili Soup I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing!!
That is pretty close! The macaroni really is an unexpected but delicious addition.
I'm making this now, Carlee, but adapting it to what I have on hand. It will be a welcome bowl tonight. I started it in my Instant Pot, and put it on slow cook to finish it up.
That is one of my favorite things about soups, they are so easily adaptable! I hope it is wonderful!
Oh my goodness, this looks so comforting!!!
It is so warm and yummy! Thanks, Jan!
This sounds wonderful, Carlee, and so comforting for a wintertime meal. Thank you for sharing!
It is definitely a perfect dinner for a cold day. Thank you!
I am going to try this recipe and see if my son that is so picky will eat it. Maybe I can disguise the beans with the noodles! It looks so amazing!
Hopefully he likes it enough to not complain about the beans!