Main image of Macaroni Chili

Macaroni Chili

25 min

Main

Freezer-friendly

The coziness of pasta and chilli, all in one recipe. Protein-packed with both a soy veggie ground and kidney beans. Batch-make this recipe to enjoy in the coming days, and it's a recipe that freezes rather well too.

Servings

Total

25 min

Prep

10 min

Cook

15 min

Contains

Soy symbol

soy

Swap out

Gluten symbol

gluten

Free from

Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (244 g)
    dry whole wheat macaroni
  • 1 Tbsp (15 mL)
    vegetable oil
  • 1
    medium onion, diced
  • 2
    cloves garlic, minced
  • 1⅔ cups (400 g)
    canned diced tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp (33 g)
    tomato paste
  • 1
    vegetable bouillon cube, crumbled
  • 1 tsp (3 g)
    chili powder
  • 1 tsp (2 g)
    paprika powder
  • 1 tsp (6 g)
    salt
  • ¼ tsp
    ground black pepper
  • 1¾ cups (310 g)
    cooked kidney beans
  • 1½ cups (170 g)
    soy veggie ground
  • 2
    carrots, finely chopped
  • 1
    red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cups (90 g)
    fresh spinach, chopped

Directions

  1. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, but decrease cooking time by 1 - 2 minutes. Once nearly al dente, drain.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pot on medium-high heat and cook the onions and garlic for 3 - 5 minutes.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes, and rinse out the can with water (about 400 mL) adding this to the pot as well, along with the tomato paste, bouillon cube, and spices. Bring to a boil.
  4. Once bubbling, add the kidney beans, veggie ground, carrot, and bell pepper. Cook until the carrots have softed, about 5 minutes.
  5. Lastly, add the drained noodles and spinach. Cook for another minute, or until the pasta is al dente. Enjoy!

Storage

  • Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Store in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Let us know what you think

Plate method

The Plate Method is a visual tool that helps us ensure our dietary needs are on track. Touch the image below to see how this recipe measures up.

Grains & Starches 27%

dry whole wheat macaroni

Proteins 29%

cooked kidney beans

soy veggie ground

Fruits & Veggies 44%

medium onion

clove garlic

canned diced tomatoes

tomato paste

carrot

red bell pepper

fresh spinach

Calcium
No significant sources of calcium
Fat

vegetable oil

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Gabriela Mendez - May 7, 2023, 8:31 p.m.


Victoria - May 7, 2023, 1:41 p.m.

This is exactly what I expect from a perfect recipe: quick, simple, affordable, nutritious and delicious! Thank you for accompanying us on our vegan journey🩷

PUL Team - May 8, 2023, 5:31 a.m.

Woohoo! Thank you, Victoria 😃


Ane Hübert - May 7, 2023, 10:37 a.m.

Made this for a friend. She is allergic to soy so we used lentils instead of the veggie ground. Really tasty comfort food.


Cisca Badenhorst - April 24, 2023, 9:29 p.m.

I did not like soy veggie ground (1st time trying it), it could be the brand. Otherwise it was another winner.
What can I use in the place of veggie groung? I was thinking lentils!

PUL Team - April 25, 2023, 2:47 a.m.

Hey Cisca, lentils are a lovely idea! You could also use more beans or crumbled tofu if you'd like 🙂


enthusiastic teenage cook - April 16, 2023, 9:36 a.m.

Hey! was just wondering what we could use instead of the vegetable bouillon cube...

PUL Team - April 16, 2023, 3:58 p.m.

Hi there 😃 The vegetable bouillon cube and water (400 mL for 4 servings) can be substituted for equal parts vegetable stock or broth. We'd recommend giving the recipe a taste test in this case, and adding some salt and other spices if you think it needs it. We hope you enjoy the macaroni chili if you give it a try!


Radhika - March 21, 2023, 2:27 p.m.

Easy and yummy recipe full of protein! Can totally recommend it


Julia - March 13, 2023, 2:37 p.m.

This recipe is insanely good! I made this at home for meal prep for weeks in a row, because my husband just didn't want to eat anything else. It's easy to make, yields a big batch, and it tastes great - highly recommend it!

PUL Team - March 15, 2023, 3:45 a.m.

So happy to hear, Julia, thank you 😃


Justina - March 13, 2023, 12:47 p.m.

The taste is great and I love the simplicity. The proportions seem to be a bit off though, with 244g dry pasta it feels much too much pasta and not enough sauce! The second time I added 200g of dry pasta and it was perfect for four servings. Thank you for sharing great meal ideas🥗


Marianne - March 5, 2023, 1:27 a.m.

Fantastic Recipe. I used tvp, which I soaked in veggie stock and sauteed before adding, and replaced the spinach with swiss chard. This was fast, simple, economical, and delicious, and I had leftovers for the next couple of lunches.

PUL Team - March 5, 2023, 10:05 p.m.

Mmm thanks for sharing your experience with the recipe, Marianne, it means so much 😃


naira - Feb. 2, 2023, 3:26 p.m.

I am impressed by your post that make a new post and prepare a new recipe, it is not suitable for everyone but you have done it, I think you will become a more successful person in life.


Eva - Jan. 29, 2023, 8:10 a.m.

So good for meal prep and the kids love it! Thank you!


Méabh Hayes - Oct. 14, 2022, 4:24 p.m.

I have made this countless times and is one of my favorites!

PUL Team - Oct. 14, 2022, 11:57 p.m.

Aw thank you, Méabh!


Jessica - Aug. 31, 2022, 8:38 p.m.

Made this for dinner this evening, really delicious and filling.


Bin - June 9, 2022, 6:17 p.m.

I started to follow you on Youtube because of this recipe, it's defo my top weekly meal prep choice - thank you!! I'm flexible with the ingredients, so have tried courgette, bell peppers, edamame, and mixed canned beans, they all worked well. Also any short pasta will work too.

PUL Team - June 10, 2022, 11:13 p.m.

Oh, Bin, thank you for being part of the PUL community and sharing your experience with the recipe! All of the modifications sound delicious 😍


Hannah - April 10, 2022, 2:48 a.m.

We just made this for dinner and it was DELICIOUS! Great budget-friendly recipe! We made a homemade veggie ground out of mushrooms, walnuts, roasted peppers and spices. Thank you for sharing a wonderful recipe. We will definitely make this again.

PUL Team - April 10, 2022, 11:41 p.m.

So happy to hear, Hannah, the homemade veggie ground sounds lovely 😍


Thijs - March 4, 2022, 11:54 a.m.

I made this recipe multiple times with macaroni. However I do recommend trying this recipe with Rice as well. It's easy to make and very delicious. :)

PUL Team - March 5, 2022, 4:10 p.m.

Ooo sounds incredible, Thijs, thanks for the tip 🤤


cierra - Feb. 18, 2022, 11:17 p.m.

Hello! I am going to make this soon and was wondering if I did freeze leftovers how do I reheat it?

PUL Team - Feb. 19, 2022, 4:37 a.m.

Hey Cierra, you can allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight or briefly at room temperature before reheating, such as in the microwave or in an oven. We hope you enjoy the recipe!


Elena - Feb. 15, 2022, 1:33 p.m.

Made this for dinner last night and it was a super quick and delicious meal. Looking forward to the leftovers that are waiting in the fridge :) Thank you for the recipe!
Lots of love from Germany!

PUL Team - Feb. 15, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Woohoo - thank you, Elena! Sending an abundance of love to Germany ❣️


Teddy - Feb. 10, 2022, 7:02 p.m.

So yummy!


Bianca - Jan. 11, 2022, 3:48 p.m.

Hi, I made your macaroni chili today because I'm trying to eat more healthy and less meat.
It was surprisingly easy to make. That's always something I like because I always seem to have shortage of time.
Also it's very delicious. Real filling and nice for in winter time when it's cold outside.
So I'm keeping it on my healthy list of recipes for sure!
Thanks!

PUL Team - Jan. 12, 2022, 4:28 a.m.

Hi Bianca! We're so happy to hear the recipe was enjoyed. Hope you stay warm this winter 😃


Jo - Dec. 19, 2021, 5:24 p.m.

Jummy!


Erin - Dec. 1, 2021, 6:34 p.m.

I made this last night and WOW was it delicious! So filling and delicious. I thought I had veg cubes but only chicken, but the taste didn't even come through really. I had a big bowl last night and I loved it. Could very easily be a one-pot meal if you wanted it to be!

PUL Team - Dec. 2, 2021, 1:15 a.m.

A lovely idea to make it into a one-pot meal, Erin! So glad it was enjoyed :)


Freddie Delturco - Oct. 13, 2021, 2:06 p.m.

I add a tea spoon of Cayenne pepper to give one extra punch, omg so delicious. Im new here and I love all the recipes!

PUL Team - Oct. 14, 2021, 3:01 a.m.

Oo a lovely addition, Freddie, and welcome to the PUL community! We're so happy to have you here 👋


Sarah - Oct. 11, 2021, 5:54 p.m.

Made this today… It was a lot of food and easy to make, so thats nice. My husband and I think it’s good food to eat but not spectacular. Something was missing for us, maybe not enough spices. Still I am happy to have some leftovers :)

PUL Team - Oct. 11, 2021, 11:16 p.m.

Thank you for the honest review, Sarah, it's really appreciated to help us improve! Did you use fresh ingredients and portions from the recipe instructions? Perhaps adding more fresh spices to taste may be beneficial if desired 😊


Justin A - Sept. 9, 2021, 6:45 p.m.

Heading back to school and decided I’ve got to make some healthier choices to keep
myself in a good place. Prepared this for dinner and packed the rest away for the next few days. Absolutely loved it and same goes for my family. Thank you so much! :)

PUL Team - Sept. 12, 2021, 2:39 a.m.

We appreciate the kind words so much, Justin! All the best with back to school 🙂📚


Alica - Aug. 25, 2021, 11:27 a.m.

It was so good it might have become my favourite go-to meal ever!
My only question is: what would you recommend to avoid burning and sticking at the bottom of the pan/pot? I am resorting to cook my pasta on a different pot, but am all about getting good tips to make it truly one-pot friendly.
Also, please more dishes like this! Decadent, yet healthy and super easy.

PUL Team - Aug. 29, 2021, 1:31 a.m.

Hi Alica, thanks for the lovely question! A few things come to mind. Using a larger pot with more water may do the trick if the stickiness is due to the starch being released from the pasta. Gently mixing the pasta more frequently may also help ☺️ We hope this helps!


Grace - Aug. 20, 2021, 3:03 p.m.

I made this for dinner and then I took the leftovers to work with me the next day... I was the envy of all of my co-workers come lunch time! Once they caught and whiff and a glance at my food they all started hovering around me and drooling like vultures, lol! Super delicious and beautiful!

PUL Team - Aug. 23, 2021, 10:37 p.m.

Aww so glad the macaroni chili was enjoyed, Grace, thank you for the review!


Marisa - Aug. 5, 2021, 2:20 a.m.

Whole family loved it!


Luci - Aug. 1, 2021, 4:37 a.m.

Absolutely delicious! Everyone (including my picky husband) went for seconds. I had to cook the carrots for much longer than 5 minutes, as we all preferred them a bit softer, and as I used chick pea and lentil pasta that only required 5 min of cooking time, I simply added it straight to the pot when the chili was fully cooked and let it cook in the pot (with a bit more boiling water). Will definitely come back to this one!

PUL Team - Aug. 4, 2021, 5:10 a.m.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the recipe, Luci, super appreciated ☺️


Elvin - July 24, 2021, 7:52 p.m.

This macaroni is delicious! It was a success at the first time. I have added it to my "best and easy recipes" list!

PUL Team - July 26, 2021, 7:40 p.m.

We're so honoured a PUL recipe made the list! It means so much, Elvin 🤗


Andréa - July 24, 2021, 7:05 p.m.

Have been making this recipe once a month more or less for the past 6 months, love it!!


Lucy - July 11, 2021, 5:39 p.m.

love. this. pasta. made this for my non-vegan fam, and they love it too 😉


Shannon - July 10, 2021, 12:11 a.m.

We loved this recipe! We fix this weekly in the fall and winter. We tried different veggies and beans to make it a little different. Definitely great topped with vegan cheddar and avocado too!

PUL Team - July 15, 2021, 5:15 a.m.

Mmm lovely ways to change it up, Shannon 😍


Luka - July 10, 2021, 12:06 a.m.

Tried this with beyond beef. It’s delicious. Hearty, flavorful. Works well for meal prep.


Clarissa - June 15, 2021, 5:43 a.m.

I love how this dish is so simple but so yummy! I will definitely be adding it to my daily rotation, especially in the winter months!


Patty - May 24, 2021, 12:36 p.m.

Hi, where I can find the recipe for the vegetable bouillon cube please? Thank you

PUL Team - May 24, 2021, 9:04 p.m.

Hey Patty! We don't currently have a recipe for bouillon cubes, but you can substitute the cube and water for vegetable stock or broth. Just give it a taste test, and add more salt if you think it needs it. Alternatively, you could omit it and adjust the spices to make it more flavourful 🙂


lily - May 23, 2021, 8:55 a.m.

this dish was delicious!! though I would recommend that if you're batch making it to add the spinach after you reheat it, otherwise it discolours a bit in the fridge.

PUL Team - May 24, 2021, 7:15 a.m.

A lovely suggestion, Lily, thank you for sharing! 😀


Meena - May 19, 2021, 12:51 p.m.

hi Can i swap the ground soy for cooked brown lentils? Thanks.

Meena - May 21, 2021, 7:06 a.m.

Shall i take it that ground soy cannot be substituted? thanks

PUL Team - May 22, 2021, 4:45 a.m.

Hey there, Meena! Thank you for your patience as we're catching up on the website comments 🙂 Lentils can totally be enjoyed in place of the ground soy 🤗

Meena - May 22, 2021, 8:18 a.m.

hi Sadia,

Thank you so much for confirming. I appreciate your reply.

Meena


Laura - May 18, 2021, 9:59 p.m.

I made this recipe and added some extra spicy chili and prepped it for lunch for 4 days. This dish is very saturating and keeps the hunger away until the early evening! Also a very big thank you for the nutritional info! This helps me track my macro's which is important to me because i'm obese. I also downloaded your Staying Motivated printable pdf. Thank you so much for all this great information and making the info looking pretty and organised <3

PUL Team - May 22, 2021, 4:42 a.m.

It's definitely a filling one! So happy you're enjoying PUL content, Laura 😃


Ellen - May 17, 2021, 8:29 p.m.

This recipe really is my favorite! I do leave out the pasta and eat it with rice instead, which is also really good. I made it for my sister and brother in law yesterday, who are not very fond of vegan food. They loved it, even with the soy veggie ground. So you have 2 new fans!

PUL Team - May 22, 2021, 4:40 a.m.

Ooo thank you for the glowing review, Ellen! Having it with rice is a splendid idea 😃


Alexus - April 24, 2021, 10:11 a.m.

Soooooo good OMG! I added cumin to mine for an extra kick and it was the bomb!! All my family members went back for seconds:)

PUL Team - April 25, 2021, 1:05 a.m.

The biggest compliment, Alexus! Thank you :)


Dalia - April 14, 2021, 8:44 p.m.

I love this recipe so much; the flavours blend together so well! I really love this recipe with some vegan cheese. I really have to say, I would love more recipes like this. Also, as a Canadian, I am very proud by how often Sadia uses maple syrup lol. Thanks for the free delicious recipes:)

PUL Team - April 16, 2021, 6:59 p.m.

We're so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Dalia! As a fellow Canadian as well, I appreciate the maple syrup too 🤩


melanie - April 10, 2021, 1 a.m.

I have a really hard time eating vegetables and I’m also slowly becoming accustomed to cooking. When I saw this it looked so good I had to try it, and it is as good as it looks! I’m happy to have found something so wholesome and delicious.

PUL Team - April 10, 2021, 2:27 a.m.

Aww 😃 We're so glad you tried the macaroni chili and enjoyed it, Melanie!