Name: One Pot Chili Mac Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 yellow onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb. ground beef; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 Tbsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 8 oz. tomato sauce; 3 cups beef broth; 1/2 lb. uncooked macaroni (about 2 cups); 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Print Recipe· 4.4 from 3 reviews

If you’re craving a meal that’s bursting with bold, comforting flavors but doesn’t require a mountain of dishes afterward, then this One Pot Chili Mac Recipe is your new best friend. It perfectly blends the hearty kick of chili spices with creamy cheddar and tender macaroni, all coming together in a single pot for fuss-free cooking and maximum deliciousness. This dish is not just a go-to for busy weeknights but an all-time crowd-pleaser that feels like a warm, cozy hug on a plate.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A stainless steel pan filled with cooked ground meat mixed with small pieces of translucent cooked onions. On top of the meat, there are several colorful piles of dry ingredients arranged separately: a white powdery flour, a dark red chili powder, a bright red spice, a yellowish-brown powder, and some green herb flakes. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface, showing some light shadows under the pan. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this One Pot Chili Mac Recipe lies in how simple, everyday ingredients combine to create something truly comforting and satisfying. Each item, from the robust spices to the creamy cheese, plays a key role in building layers of flavor, texture, and vibrant color.

Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed, creating the flavor base for the dish.
Garlic cloves: Bring a rich, aromatic punch that enhances all the other ingredients.
Olive oil: For sautéing, it gives a silky, smooth mouthfeel while softening the onions and garlic.
Ground beef: The hearty protein anchor that makes this meal filling and flavorful.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the sauce, giving it a luscious, velvety texture.
Chili powder: Packs a spicy, smoky warmth essential to the chili experience.
Smoked paprika: Adds an earthy, smoky nuance that complements the chili powder perfectly.
Garlic powder: Boosts the garlic flavor without overwhelming the dish.
Dried oregano: Introduces a subtle herbal note that balances the spices elegantly.
Tomato sauce: Brings bright, tangy acidity and helps create the chili’s signature sauciness.
Beef broth: Adds savory depth and moisture for perfectly cooked pasta.
Uncooked macaroni: The classic pasta shape that soaks up the chili sauce wonderfully.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into creamy pockets of richness that finish the dish with comforting indulgence.

How to Make One Pot Chili Mac Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Start by dicing your onion and mincing the garlic. Toss them into a large deep skillet or Dutch oven with a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Let the onions cook until they’re soft and translucent—this releases their natural sweetness and creates an aromatic base that sets the whole dish up for success.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Next, add your ground beef right into the skillet with the softened onions and garlic. Stir as it cooks, breaking up the meat until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. If your beef has a high fat content, gently drain any excess grease to keep the flavors balanced and the dish from becoming greasy.

Step 3: Toast the Spices and Flour

Sprinkle in the flour, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Stir these together with the beef and onions, letting the flour absorb the fat and cook for about two minutes. This step not only builds flavor but also prevents the flour from tasting raw later on.

Step 4: Add Tomato Sauce and Broth

Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth, and give everything a good stir. Don’t forget to scrape the bottom of the skillet to lift those delicious browned bits—they’re full of concentrated flavor waiting to be mixed into your chili mac.

Step 5: Introduce the Macaroni

Add the uncooked macaroni to the pot and stir it in to coat with the sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and crank the heat to medium-high so the liquid reaches a boil. Once boiling, stir the pasta to loosen anything that’s sticking, then lower the heat to medium-low and put the lid back on.

Step 6: Simmer Until Tender

Let the pasta gently simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes and keeping it covered. The macaroni absorbs the flavorful broth as it cooks, swelling to tender perfection while the sauce thickens into a rich red gravy that coats every bite.

Step 7: Melt in the Cheese

Finally, stir half of your shredded cheddar cheese into the chili mac until it’s thoroughly melted and creamy. Sprinkle the rest on top, cover once more, and turn the heat off, letting the residual warmth melt the cheese beautifully. This finishing touch makes the dish irresistibly gooey and cheesy.

How to Serve One Pot Chili Mac Recipe

A large silver pan with two handles sits on a white marbled surface, filled halfway with rich red tomato sauce mixed with small bits of ingredients inside. A woman's hand is pouring a metal measuring cup full of small, yellow uncooked elbow macaroni into the sauce, the macaroni forming a crescent shape over the red liquid. The texture of the sauce looks smooth with some grainy bits, while the pasta is dry and shiny with a slight curve. The scene is lit well, showing the contrast between the bright yellow pasta and deep red sauce. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro or green onions adds a fresh burst of color and brightness that nicely cuts through the rich, cheesy chili. For a touch of creaminess, a dollop of sour cream or some sliced avocado slices makes the dish even more satisfying.

Side Dishes

This dish is quite hearty on its own, but light, crisp sides like a simple garden salad or steamed green beans add a refreshing crunch and balance. Cornbread or garlic bread are perfect companions if you want that cozy, homestyle vibe to soak up any extra sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve your One Pot Chili Mac Recipe in oven-safe ramekins topped with extra cheese and broiled briefly for a golden crust. You can also spoon it over baked potatoes for a loaded chili mac jacket or pile it on tortilla chips for an epic chili mac nacho party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your chili mac cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy days when you just want to reheat and dig in.

Freezing

If you want to stash some for later, freeze your One Pot Chili Mac Recipe in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Just portion it out to avoid thawing more than you need, since the pasta texture may soften a bit after freezing.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it’s a little thick. Alternatively, microwave on medium power in short bursts, stirring in between, until hot and creamy again.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works wonderfully in this One Pot Chili Mac Recipe for a leaner option. Just be mindful that turkey is leaner than beef so you might want to add a bit of olive oil to keep things moist.

What pasta works best for this recipe?

The classic elbow or small macaroni shapes are ideal because they cook evenly and hold onto the sauce perfectly. If you don’t have macaroni, small shells or ditalini are excellent alternatives.

Is this recipe spicy?

The chili powder and smoked paprika give it a gentle warmth, but it’s far from overpoweringly spicy. You can tweak the heat by adding more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne if you like things hotter.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. The flavors will still be rich and satisfying.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Simply use a gluten-free flour alternative for thickening, and substitute the macaroni with a gluten-free pasta. Be sure to check that your chili powder and spices don’t contain any hidden gluten ingredients.

Final Thoughts

This One Pot Chili Mac Recipe has quickly become a beloved comfort food staple in my kitchen. It’s no fuss, big on flavor, and hits all the right notes of cheesy, hearty, and satisfying. Give it a try and I promise you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again whenever you want something warm and wholesome without the hassle.