Easy Chili Mac One-Pot (Printable Recipe Version)

Satisfying one-pot chili mac with beef, beans, pasta, tomatoes, spices, and plenty of melty cheese.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Chili

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 bell pepper, diced
05 - 454 grams ground beef
06 - 1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 795 grams canned crushed tomatoes
10 - 227 grams canned tomato sauce
11 - 400 grams canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Mac

12 - 240 millilitres beef broth
13 - 227 grams uncooked elbow macaroni
14 - 100 grams shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack
15 - 100 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
16 - Salt, to taste
17 - Black pepper, to taste
18 - 113 grams canned diced green chilies (optional)

# Steps to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and diced bell pepper; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
02 - Add ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned throughout.
03 - Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir well and cook for 1-2 minutes to enhance the flavors.
04 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir to combine, bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Add uncooked elbow macaroni to the pot. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and mixture has thickened.
06 - Remove pot from heat. Stir in diced green chilies if using. Gradually add shredded cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until fully melted.
07 - Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional cheese or sour cream if desired.

# Extra Information:

01 - Start with less chili powder if unsure about heat; green chilies can be omitted for a milder variation.