One Pot Chili Mac
One-Pot Chili Mac is the perfect comfort food. It’s a great weeknight meal because it’s quick, easy, and cooks all in the same pot. You can customize it to fit your taste buds, whether you want it extra spicy, super cheesy, or veggie-packed.
Key Ingredients for One-Pot Chili Mac
Ground Beef or Turkey: This provides the meaty base of the chili.
Elbow Macaroni: Classic elbow pasta is perfect for absorbing all the rich chili flavors. You can substitute it with any pasta you prefer, like penne or shells.
Chili Seasoning: A blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and onion powder gives the dish that signature chili flavor. Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking.
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes and tomato sauce add moisture and a burst of flavor.
Beans: Kidney beans add heartiness and fiber.
Broth: A bit of beef or chicken broth helps cook the pasta and infuse it with flavor. You can also use vegetable broth for a lighter version.
Cheese: I love topping my chili with a Mexican blend or sharp cheddar cheese for a creamy, gooey texture and extra flavor.
Sour Cream: I also love to top my chili with a dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess and tang. It’s totally optional but I highly recommend it!
Why You'll Love One-Pot Chili Mac
Minimal Cleanup: The best part about One-Pot Chili Mac? You only need one pot to cook everything! That means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal with family and friends.
Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this dish can be ready in 30 minutes or less. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner when you want something hearty but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Comforting and Filling: The combination of cheesy pasta, savory chili, and hearty beans makes for a meal that’s both satisfying and comforting. It’s like a hug in a bowl!
Customizable: Want to make it spicier? Add jalapeños or hot sauce. Prefer a vegetarian version? Skip the meat and add extra veggies or beans. You can adjust the recipe to suit your taste.
Great for Leftovers: One-Pot Chili Mac makes fantastic leftovers, and it reheats well in the microwave or on the stove. It’s a dish that keeps giving, so you can enjoy it for lunch the next day, too.
Customizations
Spicy One-Pot Chili Mac: For a spicy kick, add fresh jalapeños, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Vegetarian One-Pot Chili Mac: Skip the meat and load up on extra beans, veggies (like bell peppers or corn), and maybe even some extra cheese.
Topped with Extras: Add a crunchy topping by sprinkling crushed tortilla chips or crushed crackers on top before serving.
Baked One-Pot Chili Mac: If you want a crispy, golden top, transfer the cooked chili mac to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
One-Pot Chili Mac is everything you want in a comfort food dish: it’s hearty, cheesy, flavorful, and so easy to make. With minimal ingredients and just one pot to clean, it’s a winner for any busy weeknight and meal prep. Plus, it’s a dish that can be customized to fit your preferences, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving something delicious for dinner, this one-pot wonder is sure to satisfy.
One Pot Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 14 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 14 oz can red kidney beans
- 2 ½ cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup elbow macaroni pasta
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Shredded Mexican cheese or cheddar cheese
- Sour Cream
- Cholula Hot Sauce
- Green onions
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and red pepper. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes until onions are translucent and peppers are soft.
- Add garlic and stir until fragrant for about 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and break it up as it cooks.
- Once ground beef is brown, stir in canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, broth and spices.
- Bring to a simmer and stir in elbow macaroni. Continue stirring for about 2 minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Turn the temperature to medium and cover for about 12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
- Give it another good stir and divide into bowls. Top with cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, and green onions.
