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Steak ‘n Shake copycat chili-mac recipe. A real chili-mac is not chili sitting onto of noodles or even mixed in with macaroni elbows. Real chili-mac is spicy beef sitting on a dollop of ketchup and a pile of pasta.
Chili-Mac
Chili-mac with beans is called chili 4-way!
Chili-Mac has been a part of my life as long as I can remember.
Growing up, Wally’s Drive-In was the best place in the world for a hamburger, onion rings, or a chili-mac. I suppose they had other things on the menu, but I wouldn’t know. I never ordered anything besides those 3 things.
Wally’s had been a staple in my hometown and it was a sad day when the last carhop delivery was made and the doors were locked permanently.
It would be a long time before a genuine chili-mac made an appearance in my life.
Oh, I’d seen chili-macs on menus and saw recipes for chili-mac, but let’s face it, those were never anything more than chili, with or without beans, glopped on top of spaghetti noodles.
If you are from the Midwest you know that a real chili-mac doesn’t even involve real chili.
I feel the same way about chili dogs, coney dogs, etc.
None will ever be as good as Jaenick’s Root Beer Stand Red Hots and Sauce Buns.
Those are not your everyday chili dogs and bear no resemblance to coney dogs at every “coney island” type restaurants that have popped up over the years.
But that discussion is left for another day, another post.
I encountered my first Steak ‘N Shake a few years after Wally’s closed.
It was almost identical to Wally’s. They even had a drive-through.
Then we moved…….again. No Steak ‘N Shake in sight or even within an hour’s drive.
So, what’s a girl to do? Make your own recipe.
The original Wally’s recipe called for kidney suet – um, no thank you!
If you are set on having the grease ring at the bottom of the plate that is common when eating Steak ‘n Shake chili-mac, just use a high-fat ratio ground beef like 73/27 and don’t drain off the fat.
I have never eaten Cincinnati chili or skyline chili, but I suspect Chili Mac might be closer to those than a chili that you eat from a bowl with a spoon.
At least in its consistency. I’m not sure about the addition of all those extra spices and chocolate though.
Chili-Mac is about as easy as a meal gets.
The recipe does not call for browning the meat.
That is not a mistake on my part.
This recipe continues to simmer long enough that the hamburger is cooked.
You could also boil the hamburger for the same smaller pieces, but that just creates extra work in my opinion.
That is the secret to getting the proper consistency for my version of chili-mac.
MORE COPYCAT RECIPES
REMEMBER TO COME BACK AND RATE THIS RECIPE!
Chili-Mac
Equipment
- Sauce Pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef preferably 73/27 or 80/20
- 1 cup Ketchup plus additional for to top noodles when plating
- 1 package Chili Seasoning I use Williams or Lawry's
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 16 ounces Spaghetti Noodles
- Onions diced, optional
- Shredded Cheese optional
- Red Kidney Beans optional
Instructions
- Add ground beef, 1 cup ketchup, chili seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Simmer 2 hours.
- Cook spaghetti near the end of simmering time.
- Warm extra ketchup in a microwave or a small saucepan. Additional Worcestershire sauce can be added to the ketchup if desired.
- Place spaghetti into a bowl, top with ketchup and beef mixture. Sprinkle any additional toppings you want.
- Serve with saltine crackers and grated Parmesan cheese.
Jim
As a former employee, Steak and Shake used Heinz ketchup and Worcestershire sauce 4:1 ratio, but it was always placed on top with Romano cheese as a condiment. They made the meat sauce at a factory, and I have been looking for their secret recipe for years.
Beth Mueller
Hi Jim!
Thanks for the info on the secret sauce! I could never seem to get that part just right.
Cheers!
Kristi
So I never comment on any recipes that I get off different sites, however with that being said I must simply say I am a huge Steak and Shake chilli mac fan that is the only thing I have ever ordered from there with a side of fries….. This is the best recipe yet!!!!! Thank you for bringing it to the inner web!!!!!!!! In haven’t been to the restaurant in a few years now because of poor service and now I can enjoy this anytime (three nights in a row) thank you again!!!!
Beth Mueller
Hi Kristi!
Thanks for stopping by! So glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe! I too eat it many nights in a row when I have made it.
Cheers!
Karly
Oh, Chili Mac. You are my kryptonite. Not that I’m mad about it– especially when it looks this good! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Beth
It’s my kryptonite too! But I love all things carbs!