One-Pot Cheesy Chili Mac
This One-Pot Cheesy Chili Mac is a comforting and hearty meal that combines the bold flavors of chili with the creamy goodness of melted cheese and tender macaroni. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this dish is made in one pot for easy cleanup. Packed with ground beef, zesty spices, and plenty of cheese, it's a crowd-pleaser the whole family will enjoy. Serve it hot with your favorite toppings and watch it disappear in no time!
6
Servings
210
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
1 lb (browned)
Onion
1 small (diced)
Garlic
3 cloves (pressed)
Diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can (drained)
Tomato sauce
1 (14-15 ounce) can (none)
Chili powder
4 tablespoons (none)
Ground cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
Cooked macaroni
3-4 cups (cooked according to package instructions)
Cheddar cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat until it is halfway cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2
Once the beef is starting to brown, add the diced onion and pressed garlic. Cook until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess grease from the pot.
3
While the beef mixture is cooking, prepare the macaroni according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the macaroni and set aside.
4
To the beef pot, stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce until well combined.
5
Add the chili powder and ground cumin to the mixture. Stir to evenly distribute the spices throughout the sauce.
6
Fold in the cooked macaroni, ensuring each piece is coated with the chili mixture.
7
Season with half a teaspoon of salt, adjusting to taste as needed. Stir to combine all ingredients.
8
Lastly, stir in 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated. Reserve the remaining cheese for topping.
9
Serve the chili mac hot and garnish with the remaining cheddar cheese on top. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
15g
Carbs
13g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is One-Pot Cheesy Chili Mac?
It is a comforting and hearty meal that combines the bold flavors of chili with the creamy goodness of melted cheese and tender macaroni.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the main ingredients for this dish?
The main ingredients include ground beef, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, ground cumin, macaroni, cheddar cheese, and salt.
How many calories are in one serving of Chili Mac?
There are 210 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 11g of fat.
How much protein is in a serving of this recipe?
Each serving provides 13g of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of ground beef.
How should the onion be prepared?
You should use one small onion and dice it.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
The recipe requires 3 cloves of garlic, which should be pressed.
What size can of diced tomatoes is used?
One 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes is needed.
Should the diced tomatoes be drained?
Yes, the diced tomatoes should be drained before adding them to the pot.
What size is the tomato sauce can?
The recipe uses one 14-15 ounce can of tomato sauce.
How much chili powder is added to the recipe?
The dish requires 4 tablespoons of chili powder.
How much ground cumin should I use?
Use 2 teaspoons of ground cumin.
How much macaroni is needed for this recipe?
You will need 3-4 cups of macaroni, cooked according to the package instructions.
What type of cheese is recommended?
Shredded cheddar cheese is recommended for this dish.
How much cheese is used in total?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
How much salt is suggested?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or adjust to your personal taste.
How do you begin cooking the beef?
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat until it is halfway cooked.
When should I add the onion and garlic to the beef?
Add the diced onion and pressed garlic once the beef has started to brown.
What should I do after the beef and onions are fully cooked?
Drain any excess grease from the pot.
When do I add the tomatoes and tomato sauce?
Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce once the beef mixture is cooked and drained.
When are the spices added?
Add the chili powder and ground cumin after the tomatoes and sauce have been stirred in.
How is the macaroni incorporated?
Fold the cooked macaroni into the pot, ensuring each piece is coated with the chili mixture.
How much cheese goes into the actual mixture?
Stir 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese into the mixture until it is melted and incorporated.
What is the remaining cheese used for?
The remaining 1/2 cup of cheese is reserved to be used as a topping.
How should this dish be served?
Serve the chili mac hot and garnish with the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
Is this recipe considered easy to clean up?
Yes, because it is made in one pot, it allows for very easy cleanup.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include chili mac, cheesy, one-pot meal, ground beef, comfort food, easy recipe, family dinner, and hearty.