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bowl of chili with noodles
Isla Marie

Chili With Noodles

This chili with noodles recipe is a cozy, filling, and budget-friendly dish that combines hearty chili with tender noodles. It’s a fast one-pot meal loaded with beef, beans, tomatoes, and warm spices, making it the perfect comfort-food dinner for busy weeknights or cold-weather evenings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Dish, One Pot Meal
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chili Base
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey, or leftover cooked meat
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 1 jalapeño optional for heat
  • 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 can 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 can 15 oz kidney beans or black beans, drained
  • 1.5 cups beef broth adjust as needed
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Salt to taste
Noodles
  • 2 cups cooked pasta elbow macaroni, egg noodles, shells, or rotini
Optional Add-Ins
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste makes chili thicker
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1/2 tsp brown sugar balances acidity
  • Optional Toppings
  • Shredded cheddar
  • Sour cream
  • Green onions
  • Cilantro
  • Crushed tortilla chips

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife & cutting board
  • Measuring cups
  • Strainer (for noodles)

Method
 

  1. Cook the Noodles:
  2. Boil noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics:
  4. Heat olive oil in a pot. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Cook until soft.
  5. Brown the Meat:
  6. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
  7. Add Seasonings:
  8. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, pepper, and salt. Bloom the spices for 30–40 seconds.
  9. Add Tomatoes & Beans:
  10. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans. Mix well.
  11. Add Broth & Simmer:
  12. Pour in beef broth and let the chili simmer for 10–15 minutes.
  13. Add Noodles:
  14. Fold in the cooked noodles and combine until well coated.
  15. Adjust & Serve:
  16. Add extra broth if needed. Serve hot with cheese, sour cream, or green onions.

Notes

For creamier chili noodles, stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar directly into the pot.
Don’t overcook the noodles — they soften more after mixing with chili.
If chili becomes too thick, add a splash of broth.
Tomato paste gives a richer, thicker consistency.
For extra heat, add cayenne, chipotle powder, or hot sauce.
Great way to use leftover chili — just mix with fresh cooked noodles.
For meal prep, store noodles and chili separately to avoid sogginess.