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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  • Chili Mac Recipe with Low Carb Macaroni
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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

What type of pasta is lowest in carbs? ›

Palmini low-carb pasta uses the interior of a type of palm tree to create a pasta-like substitution. If you've ever had hearts of palm, the taste is somewhat unique (some people love it, and others hate it). As far as low carb noodles are concerned, Palmini is a great option with fewer carbs than most.

How do you thicken chili without carbs? ›

Xanthan gum: Xanthan gum is a common thickener used in many low-carb recipes. It's a powdered substance that can be added to liquids to create a thick, smooth texture. You'll only need a small amount of xanthan gum to thicken your chili, typically 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon for a large pot.

What is the difference between goulash and chili mac? ›

What's the Difference Between Chili Mac and Goulash? Chili mac is very similar to American goulash — a one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. American goulash, however, doesn't call for evaporated milk, and also isn't made with beans.

Is Egg noodles good for keto? ›

The verdict is in: noodles are not low-carb or keto-friendly. In fact, they can be damaging to your overall health. Since they're made with regular flour, egg noodles carbs can lead to unwanted weight gain as well as a spike in your blood sugar.

Which pasta is better for diabetics? ›

Best Choices in the Pasta Aisle

Whole wheat pasta tastes much like white pasta cooked al dente. It is slightly lower in carbs than regular pasta. More importantly, a 1/3-cup serving of cooked whole wheat pasta has three times the fiber, making it a better option for blood sugar control.

What's the best pasta for diabetics? ›

Whole wheat pasta is an excellent choice for diabetics as it contains whole grains. In addition to whole wheat pasta having a lower glycemic index than traditional pasta, whole wheat pasta also contains more fiber which can help to keep blood sugar levels in check.

What can I substitute for beans in low-carb chili? ›

Here are some options:
  1. Cauliflower: You can chop cauliflower into small pieces to mimic the texture of beans. ...
  2. Zucchini: Another low-carb vegetable that can be used as a bean replacement is zucchini. ...
  3. Mushrooms: Mushrooms are another option for adding bulk and texture to chili.
May 6, 2023

Can you eat chili on a low-carb diet? ›

Classic bean-based chili is not keto-friendly, as beans are high in carbohydrates. Luckily you can still make a keto-friendly chili without the beans. All of the traditional chili spices, such as chili powder, ground cumin and smoked paprika, are great flavor-boosters for keto foods.

What is a good substitute for sugar in chili? ›

Maple Syrup

Brown sugar is a common sweetener added to chili. It's a relatively neutral-flavored sugar with a touch of molasses that pairs well with the other ingredients. But try replacing it with maple syrup next time for a fun twist. Maple syrup has a similar "vibe" to brown sugar with an almost caramelized flavor.

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.

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.

Is Chili Mac discontinued? ›

We're sorry our Chili Mac has been discontinued.

What can I eat instead of rice on keto? ›

6 Keto-Friendly and Low Carb Rice Substitutes
  • Cauliflower Rice. 0.9 grams net carbs and 0.9 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Shirataki Rice. 0.6 grams net carbs and 0 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Mushroom Rice. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Wild Rice. ...
  • Quinoa.

What bread has the lowest carbs? ›

6 Low-Carb Breads to Try
  • Base Culture Original Keto Bread. Flaxseed, arrowroot and almond flour, and almond butter give this bread its nutty, sweet flavor. ...
  • Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread. ...
  • Julian Bakery Keto Thin Bread. ...
  • Simple Mills Focaccia. ...
  • Unbun Unbread. ...
  • Outer Aisle Sandwich Thin. ...
  • Cloud Bread. ...
  • Almond Flour Bread.
Nov 3, 2022

Is there pasta without carbs? ›

Shirataki noodles (konjac noodles) and tofu shirataki noodles. If you're counting carbs and craving pasta, these are your best bet. Shirataki noodles are a traditional Japanese product made from a fiber called glucomannan, which is produced from konjac, an Asian root vegetable.

What pasta is allowed on a keto diet? ›

You can still make your favorite dishes from chicken noodle ramen to creamy pesto pasta by using a great alternative — keto noodles. Keto, low-carb pasta can be made from a variety of vegetables including zucchini, spaghetti squash, and kelp. Or, look to alternatives like shirataki noodles and low-carb flours.

What kind of pasta is OK for keto? ›

Traditional pasta is high in carbs, but alternatives like zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles can be keto-friendly. Explore various recipes using these alternatives, and don't forget to prioritize healthy fats and proteins in your meal.

What is the healthiest pasta to eat? ›

Whole-Wheat Pasta

Also called whole-grain pasta, this type of pasta keeps the bran, endosperm, and germ of the grain together. It's filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This helps you feel full longer and keeps your blood sugar from spiking.

What is the best pasta to eat on keto? ›

The Best Keto Pasta Noodles

LC Foods Egg Noodles offer a great alternative to regular pasta, as they are made from a combination of Organic Non-GMO yellow soybeans and water. This makes them perfect for adding to your favorite keto dishes and topping with pesto or a creamy cauliflower Alfredo.

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