Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (2024)

By Lisa MarcAurele · · 10 Comments

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A spicy ground beef and pasta casserole that can be made with any pasta. But to cut carbs, this chili mac recipe used low carb macaroni.

Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (1)
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I had a craving for pasta and I just happened to have a bag of low carb elbows in the pantry claiming to be low carb. Most of the carbs in this low carb pasta are indigestible so each serving is stated to have 4g of carbs.

I'm not sure how true it is so I don't eat low carb pasta very often. However, it is a nice thing to have in the house for those times when comfort food cravings kick in.

As most of you may know, I'm a big fan of casseroles and spicy food. So, I made a low carb macaroni chili mac recipe with ground beef andMexican spices.

Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (2)

This dish reminds me of the hamburger helper meals I used to make in my college apartment. Of course, that was back in my high carb days when I ate a lot of unhealthy processed foods.

Both of my kids enjoyed the casserole and didn't even question if it was low carb. It tasted just like the regular thing to them.

I was happy to sneak in some extra fiber without them knowing it by using the low carb macaroni. I'm thinking I should make it more often since it's got to be better than the high glycemic pasta they usually eat.

Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (3)

This chili mac recipe can be tweaked to your liking. I used a Mexican blend of finely shredded cheese which contained mild cheddar, Monterey jack, queso quesadilla and asadero cheese.

I also used spice packets from a chili kit so the amounts are estimates. I really liked this casserole and will make it again. However, I'll probably use shirataki ziti noodles which I know have negligible carbs.

If you aren't familiar with shirataki pasta, it's made from konjac which is primarily fiber.

Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (4)

A lot of people don't like to use shiratake because it doesn't have the same texture as regular pasta. Instead, it's a bit rubbery and slimy. And, it doesn't smell very good right out of the package.

However, I'd urge you to give it a try. I find the smell and texture do improve when it's properly prepared. The best method is dry roasting the shiratake noodles dry before using.

But, if you have tried shiratake and just can't make it work for you, there are other options. There are a couple companies that offer better tasting low carb pasta like this one. However, they usually aren't gluten free.

Chili Mac Recipe with Low Carb Macaroni

Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (5)

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Recipe

Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (6)

Chili Mac with Low Carb Macaroni

4.84 from 6 votes

A spicy low carb ground beef and pasta casserole that's similar to hamburger helper. This recipe requires low carb macaroni to keep the carbs in check.

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:40 minutes mins

Total Time:50 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

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Servings: 9 people

Calories: 319

Ingredients

  • 2 cups low carb elbows cooked and drained, I prefer shiratake
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried onion flakes
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried minced garlic
  • 4 teaspoons chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 2 cups shredded cheese a Mexican blend is perfect

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook ground beef with onion and garlic in large skillet over medium heat; pour off drippings. Add tomatoes, and the remaining seasoning; simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Toss pasta with meat mixture. Spoon half of mixture into a 9×9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese; top with remaining meat mixture. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top. Cover with foil; bake in preheated 350 degrees F oven 25 minutes. Uncover and cook 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

Notes

*UPDATE: I no longer use or recommend Dreamfields pasta as it is NOT low carb or gluten free!

Nutritional data used Miracle Noodles shirataki pasta

Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart

Nutrition

Calories: 319 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 850mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1500IU | Vitamin C: 10.7mg | Calcium: 360mg | Iron: 4.1mg

Additional Info

Net Carbs: 4g | % Carbs: 5.1% | % Protein: 34.5% | % Fat: 60.4% | SmartPoints: 10

Notes on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

Copyright

© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Catherine

    I made this last night and was a little nervous about how my 9 year old twins would like it because I put all the red pepper in and used tomatoes with green chilies… My daughter snuck a taste before we prayed and said it was the best dinner she’d ever had!
    We all loved it. I made it with one large spaghetti squash. Thanks for another GREAT recipe! 🤗

    Reply

  2. James

    Do you think this would be fine with the spaghetti shiratake?

    Reply

    • Lisa

      I've made it with shiratake and it comes out pretty good if you like those low carb noodles. Some people just can't get past the texture of shiratake.

      Reply

  3. Emily Kemp

    Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (7)
    Love the sound of this!

    Reply

  4. Kary Hartmann

    how many servings does this make

    Reply

    • Lisa

      I get 9 large pieces.

      Reply

  5. Erika

    Is the ingredients list correct on the chili powder and salt? I did one TBS of chili powder and half what it says for salt and it’s very strong.

    Reply

    • Lisa

      It may have been 4 teaspoons. That does seem to be a bit much. As for the salt, 1/2 teaspoons should be plenty.

      Reply

  6. Ken

    How do you dry roast the the shirataki noodles ?

    Reply

    • Lisa

      The instructions for dry roasting are in this post.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Chili Mac Recipe - Low Carb Macaroni (2024)

FAQs

How many carbs in a bowl of chili mac? ›

Nutrition
Total Fat 18g23%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 35mg12%
Sodium 780mg34%
Total Carbohydrate 48g17%
5 more rows

What is the difference between goulash and chili mac? ›

And while other components such as garlic, onions, broth, and tomato sauce are also common in American goulash, there is another key differentiator: evaporated milk. Combined with a greater volume of shredded cheese, chili mac typically takes on a creamier, thicker consistency.

What to serve with chili mac? ›

Serving Suggestions

This is a hearty meal on its own, but I love serving it with some cornbread. It would also go well with a side salad or even some biscuits! To make The Best One-Pot Chili Mac Recipe, start by browning your ground beef with the onion and garlic.

How do you thicken sauce without carbs? ›

You can thicken a keto sauce using low-carb thickeners such as xanthan gum, guar gum, or konjac flour. These ingredients are keto-friendly and help achieve the desired consistency without adding extra carbs. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you reach the desired thickness.

Is it better to thicken chili with flour or cornstarch? ›

Add cornstarch or all-purpose flour: Cornstarch and all-purpose flour are common thickening agents that you might already have on hand in your pantry. Adding flour directly into the chili will create lumps. Instead, make a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of cold water with one tablespoon of cornstarch.

How many carbs are in a homemade chili mac? ›

Calories in homemade chili mac
Calories350.2
Sodium382.9 mg
Potassium174.7 mg
Total Carbohydrate20.4 g
Dietary Fiber2.1 g
8 more rows

Is canned chili low carb? ›

The simple answer is no. Chili typically contains one or more types of beans and many include either added sugar or ingredients with extra sugar. Most canned chili is not keto friendly. Though beans offer some protein, they are high in carbs.

Is a bowl of chili high in carbs? ›

Chili with beans and meat, homemade (1 cup) contains 23.5g total carbs, 16.3g net carbs, 9.1g fat, 18.2g protein, and 242 calories.

What is another name for a Chili Mac? ›

American Chop Suey (Macaroni, Beef, and Cheese Skillet Casserole) Recipe. Beefaroni, chili mac, Johnny Marzetti: whatever you call it, this stuff is delicious.

Is Chili Mac discontinued? ›

We're sorry our Chili Mac has been discontinued.

Which ground beef is better for chili? ›

Use lean beef, but not super lean meat. The best ground beef for chili has some fat, so 85% lean is ideal. Don't be tempted to use extra-lean beef or drain off the fat after browning the meat. The fat bastes the meat during cooking, which adds richness to the sauce and keeps the meat moist.

Is chili mac a northern thing? ›

It is a common dish in the cuisine of the Midwestern United States, and is also popular in other areas of the United States. Several variations of the dish exist, and prepared canned and boxed versions also exist. It can be a relatively inexpensive dish to prepare, and has been described as a comfort food.

Does Hamburger Helper make chili mac? ›

Hamburger HelperTM Chili Macaroni

STIR Stir in Sauce Mix and hot water until dissolved. Stir in Pasta. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. SIMMER Reduce heat, cover and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

How long does chili mac last in the fridge? ›

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Leftovers can be frozen and do reheat well, be extra careful not to overcook the macaroni so that it's not mushy when reheated. (I always use a timer.)

What thickener is keto friendly? ›

Here is your handy-dandy little cheat sheet for what keto and low carb thickeners to use when:
  • Konjac Flour (aka Glucomannan powder) : This is ideal for thickening gravies, sauces, soups, and other hot dishes. ...
  • Xanthan Gum : This is best used to provide structure to keto baked goods.

What is the best thickener for chili? ›

Stir in some finely ground cornmeal or masa harina.

Ground cornmeal is very effective at absorbing excess liquid and adds a subtle corn-like flavor. Just avoid coarse-ground cornmeal or polenta as they can lend a grainy texture to your chili.

What is a keto substitute for cornstarch? ›

Chia seeds are a great keto alternative to cornstarch since they are low-carb and high in fat and protein (via USDA). And, pie isn't the only place you can use them as a replacement. Like flax, you can use ground or whole chia seeds as an egg replacement.

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