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    Home » Family Friendly Recipes

    Modified: Jul 19, 2022 · Published: Dec 13, 2019 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

    Easy One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

    3186 shares
    • 23
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    What's better than a one pot meal? How about a one pot meal that is ready is about 30 minutes? This Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe is one of those beef recipes to make when you are pressed for time and want to serve your family something yummy and filling much like our Tailgating Recipe -Healthier Chili.

    As a bonus, at the end of the meal, you'll only have one pot to clean up. Better yet, ask someone else to clean it. You already put dinner on the table. Be sure to also try this Chili Macaroni Casserole and Texas Toast Sloppy Joes.

    What's better than a one pot meal? How about a one pot meal that is ready is about 30 minutes? I know, right! This Easy One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese is the meal to make when you are pressed for time and want to serve your family something yummy and filling.
    Jump to:
    • Why this easy one pot chili mac and cheese is awesome
    • Ingredients
    • How to make easy chili mac recipe
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Related posts

    Want a more classic mac and cheese recipe? Try this Baked Macaroni and Cheese.

    Why this easy one pot chili mac and cheese is awesome

    • One-pot meal means clean up is easy
    • The ultimate in comfort food
    • A hearty meal perfect for a cool night
    chili mac and cheese in a pot

    Ingredients

    Olive oil
    Lean ground beef or ground turkey
    Chili powder
    Cumin
    Onion powder
    Garlic powder
    Salt
    Water
    Tomato sauce
    Elbow macaroni
    Mexican blend shredded cheese

    How to make easy chili mac recipe

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Next, add ground beef, and cook until the beef is browned. Be sure to break up any large chunks of beef to help speed along the cooking process.

    WHAT KIND OF SKILLET SHOULD I USE FOR ONE POT CHILI MAC AND CHEESE?

    You will want to be sure to use a large skillet or Dutch oven since you will be adding a lot of ingredients and don't want anything to spill over. A 6 quart skillet works well.

    chili spices in a bowl


    Once the beef has browned, add in chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt and stir for one minute until the spices are even distributed.

    chili seasonings on ground beef

    DO YOU COOK THE NOODLES BEFORE ADDING THEM TO THE CHILI?

    The wonderful thing about this dish is that you don't have to! Simply add water, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni, and cook everything on medium-high heat to bring to a boil.

    noodles in a pot with sauce

    Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 9-12 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is cooked through. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheese over top. No need to drain.

    cheesy chili mac and cheese

    Put the lid back on the pot and let the cheese melt.

    one pot chili mac and cheese

       

    Now you have some ooey gooey mac and cheese with all the yummy flavors of chili. So good!

    chili mac and cheese on a plate

    Next time you are looking for a family friendly meal that won't take forever to cook up, try this easy chili mac and cheese which uses just one pot! You'll love the rich taste and simple clean up.

    chili mac and cheese on a red plate

    📖 Recipe

    Easy One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

    Vicky
    This Easy One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese is ready in 30 minutes and uses just one pot. Easy to make and clean up!
    4.27 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 18 minutes mins
    Total Time 28 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 5
    Calories 560 kcal

    Video

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tbsp. Olive oil
    • 1 lb. lean ground beef
    • 1 tbsp. Chili powder
    • 1 tbsp. Cumin
    • 2 tsp. Onion powder
    • 2 tsp. Garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt more or less to taste
    • 2 cups water
    • 15 oz. tomato sauce
    • 8 oz. elbow noodles
    • 8 oz. mexican blend shredded cheese

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add ground beef, and cook until browned, breaking up any large chunks.
    • Once browned, add in chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.
    • Stir, cooking for 1 minute, until spices are fragrant.
    • Add water, tomato sauce, and noodles, and cook on medium-high to bring to a boil.
    • Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 9-12 minutes, stirring frequently, until noodles are cooked through.
    • Remove from the heat and sprinkle the cheese over top. Put the lid back on and let the cheese melt.
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 39gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 1118mgPotassium: 889mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1581IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 376mgIron: 7mg
    Keyword easy one pot mac and cheese
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using online calculators. Your nutritional information may vary depending on numerous factors.

    Frequently asked questions

    What can I serve with chili macaroni and cheese?

    This dish is filling enough on it's own, but if you want to add a side dish, you can do cornbread or tortilla chips. A side salad works well too.

    What kind of cheese is good to use with chili mac and cheese?

    You have a lot of options here. I used a Mexican blend, but cheddar cheese works really well as does Monterey and pepper jack.

    Do you use beans in chili macaroni and cheese?

    Some people do add beans to this dish. I prefer not to since there is a lot going on here already. I have added red kidney beans in the past, and the dish was tasty but I found it a bit heavy.

    Related posts

    • Chili Macaroni Casserole
    • Quick and Easy Meals - Bacon Mac and Cheese
    • Hidden Veggie Baked Mac and Cheese - Food Fun Friday
    • Instant Pot Chili Recipe
    • 0 Point Chili in the Crock Pot
    • Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese

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      Recipes Using Applesauce
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      Cajun Chicken Recipe

    Comments

      4.27 from 15 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Denisse Salinas says

      December 13, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      5 stars
      After the sugar- laden holidays this recipe is just PERFECT! Love that you can make it all in one pot - because we all have enough dirty dishes around Christmas, right?

      Reply
    2. stephanie says

      December 13, 2019 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was easy and delicious!!! My son loved it and wants me to make more.

      Reply
    3. Anita says

      December 13, 2019 at 12:56 pm

      5 stars
      This was easy and delicious. A big hit in our home, and definitely going to be a repeat. 🙂

      Reply
    4. Erika says

      December 13, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      I love the idea of adding chili to mac and cheese, yum!

      Reply
    5. Justine says

      December 13, 2019 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      This was so cheesy! I was in heaven with every bite, nom nom nom.

      Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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