Spice up your dinner routine with this easy one pot chili mac and cheese recipe. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal with fewer dishes to wash!

This one-pot meal is one of my favorites. If you keep your pantry well-stocked, you probably already have many of the ingredients in your pantry (and refrigerator, which I consider to be an extension of my pantry).

But even if you don’t have the exact ingredients on-hand, it’s super easy to swap out the ingredients listed in the recipe for similar items in your pantry and fridge.

Also, this one pot chili mac recipe is comfort food. There are so many delicious flavors blended into this recipe.

chili mac in white bowl with cornbread muffins on a wooden plate

Why You’ll Love This One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

There are so many things to love about this chili mac recipe! Here are just a few of my favorite features of this dish:

First, it’s made in one pot! You’ve gotta love an easy dinner recipe that doesn’t require extra dishes to wash!

Second, this from scratch hamburger helper recipe uses real food ingredients. Unlike the boxed meals that many of us grew up eating, this one pot chili mac and cheese recipe features fresh ingredients that taste so much more amazing!

Third, it’s so forgiving. This is one of those simple dinner recipes that is very easy to adjust to whatever is in your pantry. Don’t have black beans? Use a different type of bean. Don’t have crushed tomatoes? In a pinch, you could use diced tomatoes instead (you may need to add some tomato sauce with the tomatoes to get the right consistency).

chili mac and cheese in a skillet with a wooden spoon holding up some of the mixture, with cornbread muffins in the background

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Supplies Needed for This Recipe

Ingredients

Yellow Onion: Chopped

Red Bell Pepper: Chopped

Lean Ground Beef: You could also use turkey in place of the beef.

Garlic: Minced

Salt: This is my favorite salt to use in all of my recipes.

Smoked Paprika: If you don’t have smoked paprika, you could also use regular paprika. The smoked paprika just gives it a bit of extra flavor.

Seasonings: Chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and oregano.

Crushed Tomatoes

Macaroni Noodles: You can use any type of elbow macaroni in this one pot chili mac recipe. You can even use gluten free pasta in place of regular pasta. You may need to adjust the cook time for the gluten-free pastas.

Black Beans: Or use another type of bean like kidney or pinto beans.

Diced Green Chilies: I’ve used mild chilis in this recipe, but you can use the hot version if you prefer.

Beef Broth: You can substitute chicken broth if you don’t have beef broth on hand. Here’s how to make your own chicken broth in the Instant Pot.

Heavy Cream: This adds an extra creamy consistency.

Cheddar Cheese: Feel free to substitute a different type of cheese in this recipe. Sharp cheddar cheese, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend can all be used.

chili mac in a white bowl on a wooden plate with a gold spoon holding up some of the chili mac

How to Make One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

In a large pot (sauté pan or Dutch oven) over medium-high heat sauté the onion, bell pepper, and ground beef until the ground beef is brown and cooked through.

skillet with ground beef, onions, and peppers

Add the garlic, chili powder, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, pepper, and oregano and cook another minute.

skillet with cooked beef, onions, peppers, and seasonings

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dry pasta, drained black beans, green chilies, and beef broth.

skillet with cooked beef mixture with tomatoes, chilies, black beans, and elbow macaroni

Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 13-16 minutes till noodles are tender, stirring occasionally. Add additional salt and pepper if desired.

Turn off the heat and add the cream and half the cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and then stir in the remaining cheese. Enjoy!

skillet with one pot chili mac and cheese with cream poured around it

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

If you have leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. You may need to add a little bit of water when you reheat it. This dish can also be frozen for a few months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve With One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

There are so many sides that would go well with this recipe. Here are a few ideas:

Salad
Cornbread
Rolls
Tortilla chips
Cooked vegetables
Raw veggies like carrot sticks, green onions (sliced, to sprinkle on top), or avocado

three white bowls with chili mac on a table, with cornbread muffins next to the bowl in the foreground

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another type of bean?

Pinto beans or kidney beans will work fine instead of black beans.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

You can use small pasta like small shells, rigatoni, ditalini, penne, ziti, or mini bowties.

Can I use ground chicken or ground turkey?

Yes, you can. I’d suggest adding a tablespoon of oil while you cook the meat and onion/peppers together so it doesn’t burn.

How can I make this spicier?

You can add the hot version of green chilies instead of mild, replace the red bell pepper with a few jalapeno peppers, or add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper with the other seasonings.

How can I make the one pot chili mac thinner?

Add some more broth into it once it’s done to thin it to your desired consistency.

chili mac in a white skillet with a wooden spoon stirring

More Easy Dinner Recipes

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment with a 5 star recipe rating and let me know! Thank you!