Make a hearty and comforting One Pan Chili Mac and Cheese. This recipe blends deep, familiar flavors with a fresh, easy approach, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Author:Mei Sprout
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Category:Main Dish
Method:One Pan Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:None
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (10 ounce) can Ro Tel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), undrained
4 cups beef or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Brown the ground meat in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the rinsed beans, diced tomatoes, Ro Tel, broth, chili powder, cumin, and oregano to the skillet. Stir well.
Bring the mixture to a boil.
Stir in the elbow macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
Serve immediately.
Notes
You can adjust the amount of chili powder and Ro Tel based on your preferred spice level.
This dish tastes even better the next day.
For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground meat with an extra can of beans or plant-based crumbles.