Name: Easy One Pot Chili Mac
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tbsp cumin; 2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; 8 oz uncooked elbow pasta; 15 oz tomato sauce; 2 cups water; 8 oz fiesta/mexican blend cheese

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Today’s recipe is one of our most recent favorites, we just had this a few days ago. I actually photographed this recipe almost a year ago, and it is still something we eat a few times a month. I love it because it is so easy to make, and the kids love it because it is yummy. I just use one pot for this Easy One Pot Chili Mac recipe- a deep skillet that came in my Rachel Ray set a few years ago. We love one pot dinners in our house.

Usually along side this recipe I’ll serve a vegetable or two, and we’ve got a full meal. My favorites are the microwavable frozen vegetables, because it just doesn’t get easier than that.

Okay so let’s talk about what you’ll need for this recipe, because that is surprisingly easy, too.

Chili Mac Recipe Ingredients

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. ground beef
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp. pepper
8 oz. uncooked elbow pasta
15 oz. tomato sauce
2 cups water
8 oz. fiesta/mexican blend shredded cheese

Directions

Okay, so to make this chili mac, you are going to start by browning the meat. You can use whatever percentage ground beef you prefer here, we usually use 90% in just about everything and it turns out just fine. I know for some things flavor makes a big difference, but that’s not a problem here. Once your meat is browned, drain the excess grease and return it to the pan. Add your spices- chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder, and stir around with the beef for a minute or so to bring out those flavors. Next, add your salt and pepper, plus the tomato sauce, water, and uncooked pasta. Stir the ingredients together and then bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 9-12 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Finally, remove from the heat, add shredded cheese over top, replace the lid and allow to sit for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Serve immediately, and refrigerate any leftovers.

I love meals that come together so simply like this One Pot Chili Mac, they are just perfect for easy weeknight dinners.

For a printable version of this recipe, see below.

Yield: 6 servings

Easy One Pot Chili Mac

Easy and delicious one pot Chili Mac makes the perfect weeknight meal.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb lean ground beef
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
8 oz uncooked elbow pasta
15 oz tomato sauce
2 cups water
8 oz fiesta/mexican blend cheese

Instructions

Start by browning your ground beef.
Once your meat is browned, drain the excess grease and return it to the pan.
Add your spices- chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder, and stir around with the beef for a minute or so to bring out those flavors.
Next, add your salt and pepper, plus the tomato sauce, water, and uncooked pasta.
Stir the ingredients together and then bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 9-12 minutes, or until noodles are tender.
Finally, remove from the heat, add shredded cheese over top, replace the lid and allow to sit for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
Serve immediately, and refrigerate any leftovers.