One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
This one-pot Chili Mac and Cheese combines ground beef, three kinds of beans, and elbow macaroni simmered in a smoky chili broth, then finished with cheddar and spicy pepper jack. It's an easy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner with just one pot to wash.
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or large heavy pot (5-6 quart)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ red onion medium, chopped
- ½ green bell pepper chopped
- 1 pound ground lean meat we used lean ground beef
- 15 oz Mrs. Grimes Chili Beans canned, undrained
- 15 oz Mrs. Grimes Dark Red Kidney Beans canned, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz Mrs. Grimes Black Beans canned, drained and rinsed
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes canned, with juices
- 32 oz chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 3 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups macaroni noodles uncooked elbow macaroni (8 oz)
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ¾ cup Hot Jalapeño & Habanero Jack Cheese shredded, or pepper jack
For Topping
- extra shredded cheese for topping
- fresh cilantro chopped, for topping
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and green bell pepper and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned with no pink remaining. Drain off the excess grease.
- Stir in the chili beans (with their sauce) and the drained and rinsed kidney beans and black beans.
- Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, the chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the uncooked macaroni. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 13-15 minutes, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the pot, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cheddar and pepper jack cheese and stir until melted and combined.
- Serve hot, topped with extra shredded cheese and fresh cilantro.
Nutrition
Calories: 653kcalCarbohydrates: 78gProtein: 46gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 1816mgPotassium: 1457mgFiber: 17gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 793IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 328mgIron: 9mg
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
