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Ultimate One-Pot Chili Mac: Best Game Day Recipe

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A hearty, cheesy one-pot chili mac that combines ground beef, kidney beans, and elbow macaroni in a rich, spiced tomato sauce. Perfect for game day gatherings, this crowd-pleasing dish comes together in about 40 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni (about 2 cups uncooked)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (for topping)
  • Sliced green onions (for topping)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for topping)
  • Extra shredded cheese (for topping)
  • Crushed tortilla chips or Fritos (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Place a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a nice brown crust, then stir and continue cooking until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes total. Drain off excess fat if desired, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor.
  2. Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño (if using) to the pot with the beef. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the peppers soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir together and let the spices toast for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low so it’s at a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the drained kidney beans during the last 2 minutes of simmering.
  5. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the pot and stir to make sure it’s submerged in the liquid. If the liquid doesn’t quite cover the pasta, add a splash more broth or water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture back to a gentle boil. Then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes. Stir once halfway through. The pasta is done when it’s tender but still has a slight bite (al dente).
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan over the top of the chili mac. Let it sit for 1 minute to start melting, then stir gently until the cheese is fully incorporated into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in a splash of warm broth or milk to loosen it up.
  7. Let the chili mac rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot, topped with your favorite garnishes such as chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, sour cream, extra cheese, or crushed tortilla chips.

Notes

For best results, use fire-roasted tomatoes for a subtle smokiness. Shred cheese from a block for better melting. If making for a party, keep warm in a slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting. To control spice level, keep jalapeño on the side as a garnish. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili mac, one-pot chili mac, game day recipe, ground beef chili mac, cheesy chili mac, easy chili mac, one-pot dinner, comfort food, Super Bowl recipe

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/ultimate-one-pot-chili-mac-best-game-day-recipe/