One-pot chili mac and cheese with ground beef, pasta, and melted cheese in a dark red sauce

Hapunan

The Ultimate One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese for Busy Weeknights

Name: The Ultimate One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese for Busy Weeknights
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: North American
Ingredients: - 1 tbsp oil (15 ml); - 1 onion, chopped; - 1 bell pepper, chopped; - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (0.5 g) (optional, for heat); - 1 lb ground beef (454 g); - 2 tbsp tomato paste (30 g); - 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed; - 1 tbsp chili powder (7 g); - 14 oz can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce (400 g); - 14 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (400 g); - 3 1/2 cups beef or chicken stock (840 ml); - 3/4 tsp kosher salt (4 g, plus more to taste); - 1/2 tsp black pepper (1 g); - 1 tsp dried oregano (1 g); - 1/2 tsp dried thyme (0.5 g); - 1 tsp sugar (4 g); - 1 tbsp soy sauce (15 ml); - 1/3 cup frozen corn (55 g); - 12 oz short pasta, elbow macaroni or similar (340 g); - 2 cups shredded cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend (225 g); - **For garnish:** 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or green onions (10 g), sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, avocado

Weeknights can be hectic, and finding a dish that's both easy to prepare and packed with flavor feels like striking gold. That's where my One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese comes in! It's the perfect balance of comfort food and bold chili flavors—all without the hassle of multiple pots and pans.

4.3 (6)

Prep

15 min

Luto

25 min

Kabuuan

40 min

Sinerve

Estilo

💰 Pang-araw-araw

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Originally Published Enero 2025•Last Updated Enero 2025

Weeknights can be hectic, and finding a dish that's both easy to prepare and packed with flavour feels like striking gold. That's where my One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese comes in! It's the perfect balance of comfort food and bold chili flavours—all without the hassle of multiple pots and pans.

Why You'll Love This Dish

- One-Pot Wonder: No one has time for extra dishes after a busy day. This recipe keeps it simple—one pot for cooking, serving, and cleaning.

- Bold Chili Flavors: With hearty spices, ground beef, beans, and a touch of heat, this isn't your average mac and cheese. The chili-inspired flavours take it to the next level.

- Customizable Toppings: Serve it plain or load it up with fresh garnishes like chopped cilantro, jalapeños, tomatoes, or even avocado. Everyone at the table can make it their own!

Weeknight-Friendly, Crowd-Pleasing

This dish comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table fast but still want something satisfying. The pasta cooks right in the chili base, soaking up all the smoky, savoury flavours. And just when you think it can't get any better, melty cheese gets folded in, with more sprinkled on top for that gooey finish everyone loves.

Comfort Food with a Twist

What I love most about this recipe is how it takes two classics—chili and mac and cheese—and combines them into a single, satisfying meal. It's filling enough to stand on its own, but you can also pair it with a simple green salad or cornbread for a full spread.

Make It Yours

This dish is incredibly versatile! Swap out the ground beef for turkey, use your favourite type of beans, or adjust the spice level to suit your family's preferences. It's hearty, flavourful, and destined to become a weeknight staple in your household.

Give this One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese a try, and I promise it'll be your go-to when you're craving something quick, easy, and absolutely delicious. Let me know how it turns out—I'd love to hear how you made it your own!

Mga Sangkap

Mga Serving:

15 ml oil
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 g red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
454 g ground beef
30 g tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
7 g chili powder
397 g can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
397 g can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
840 ml beef or chicken stock
4 ml kosher salt
1 g black pepper
1 g dried oregano
1 g dried thyme
4 g sugar
15 ml soy sauce
55 g frozen corn
340 g short pasta, elbow macaroni or similar
225 g shredded cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend
10 g For garnish: chopped cilantro or green onions, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, avocado

Mga Tagubilin

Chili Base
1
Sauté the veggies: Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
2
Cook the beef: Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned.
3
Add flavour: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavour. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4
Build the chili base: Mix in the chili powder, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, soy sauce, sugar, and beef stock.
5
Add pasta and simmer: Stir in the pasta and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 12–14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened. Don't overcook the pasta here—it will continue to sit in the hot sauce for a while, so cook just until al dente.
Cheesy Finish
6
Cheesy finish: Turn off the heat. Stir in half of the shredded cheese to make it creamy and cheesy.
7
Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Cover the pot with a lid and let it sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts.
8
Garnish and serve: Top with chopped cilantro or green onions, and garnish with jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and avocado if desired.

FAQ

Can you make chili mac and cheese ahead of time?+

Yes! You can prepare it up to 3 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge—just reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to loosen it up since pasta absorbs liquid as it sits.

What can I substitute for ground beef in this recipe?+

Ground turkey, Italian sausage, or a plant-based meat alternative work great and cook the same way; you can also skip the meat entirely and add an extra can of beans for a vegetarian version.

Can you freeze chili mac and cheese?+

Absolutely—freeze it in individual portions for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a bit of milk to restore the creamy texture.

What's the best way to customize toppings for this dish?+

Set out a topping bar with fresh cilantro, diced jalapeños, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, avocado, and shredded cheese so everyone can build their own bowl exactly how they like it.