Easy One-Pot Cheesy Chili Mac
A quick and comforting one-pot meal combining cheesy macaroni with spicy chili and ground meat, perfect for busy family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or turkey, lean
- 2 cups (8 ounces or 225g) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425g) tomato sauce
- 3 cups (720ml) beef broth or chicken broth
- 2 cups (8 ounces or 225g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped green onions, jalapeño slices, diced avocado
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned meat. Stir and cook until onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle in chili powder and cumin. Stir well to coat the meat and onion evenly. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Pour in tomato sauce and broth. Stir to combine. Add uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the pot and stir to spread pasta evenly.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if pasta looks too dry before fully cooked.
- Taste pasta for doneness; it should be tender but still hold shape (al dente).
- Remove pot from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Optionally, cover pot briefly for 2 minutes to melt cheese further.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chili powder as desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with optional toppings like sour cream, green onions, jalapeño slices, or diced avocado.
Notes
Use sharp cheddar cheese for best melt and flavor. Stir gently when mixing in cheese to avoid clumps. If mixture is too thick, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen. Watch pasta closely to avoid overcooking. For vegetarian version, substitute meat with black beans or plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth. For dairy-free, use vegan cheese and vegetable broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups per s
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: one-pot, cheesy chili mac, quick dinner, family meal, comfort food, easy recipe, macaroni, chili, ground beef, cheddar cheese