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Vegan Chili Mac

Standout Vegan Chili Mac

With this recipe, you’ll have a reliable vegan chili mac that’s rich, hearty, and simple.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 15 oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 15 oz can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (with juices)
  • 3 cups elbow macaroni (12 oz dry)
  • 1 cup yellow onion (finely diced)
  • 1 cup red bell pepper (diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 cup unsweetened plain oat milk or almond milk
  • 1 tsp maple syrup (balances acidity)
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/4 tsp fine sea salt (plus, more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp lime juice

Method
 

  1. Sauté aromatics (6–7 min): Heat oil in a Dutch oven (I use this one) over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper with a pinch of salt and cook until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Bloom spices (45–60 sec): Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and oregano. Cook, stirring, until the spices smell toasty and darken slightly.
  3. Build the base (2–3 min): Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it darkens and starts to stick to the pot. Deglaze with 1 cup broth, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Simmer with pasta (12–14 min): Stir in remaining broth, diced tomatoes, both beans, maple syrup, salt and pepper. Bring to a steady simmer. Add dry macaroni and cook, stirring often, until pasta is al dente and sauce is thick and creamy.
  5. Make it creamy (2 min): Lower heat. Stir in plant milk and nutritional yeast until smooth and slightly thickened.
  6. Finish and rest (3–5 min): Turn off heat. Stir in lime juice and adjust salt to taste. Let stand 3–5 minutes so the sauce thickens before serving.

Notes

Refer to complete step by step instructions below.