One-Pot Chili Mac Mashup (Printable)

A warm mashup of chili spices, tender pasta, and melted cheddar made in a single pot.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pantry

05 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
06 - 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
07 - 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
08 - 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
09 - 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

→ Spices

10 - 2 tbsp chili powder
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp dried oregano
14 - ½ tsp salt
15 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Dairy

16 - 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
17 - ½ cup sour cream (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it apart during cooking; drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic; cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add drained kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, and uncooked elbow macaroni; stir to combine thoroughly.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
06 - Remove lid and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the mixture is creamy.
07 - Dish out while hot, optionally topping each serving with a dollop of sour cream.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means less washing up and more time actually enjoying dinner.
  • It's genuinely foolproof—even if your timing is off by a few minutes, the dish stays forgiving and delicious.
  • This recipe tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected leftovers.
02 -
  • Don't drain the canned tomatoes and beans carelessly—that liquid is flavor you need, but excess starch from beans can make the dish gummy, so rinsing canned beans really does matter.
  • Add the pasta uncooked directly into the pot; cooking it separately is an extra step that loses flavor and creates more dishes.
  • If the pot looks dry after 12 minutes but the pasta isn't quite tender, add a splash of broth or water rather than panicking—pasta continues to soften slightly as it cools.
03 -
  • Brown the beef thoroughly and don't rush the vegetable-softening step; these small moments of patience create layers of flavor that rushed versions miss.
  • Keep a small container of extra broth nearby while the pasta cooks—one splash of liquid can save the entire pot if things start to look too thick.
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