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It’s hard to beat this One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese. Think spicy, saucy chili meets creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. It’s made entirely in one pot and comes together in less than an hour. Spicy chili-seasoned lean ground beef mixed with onions, peppers, tomatoes, and hot sauce for a spicy buffalo kick. Finish this chili off with a cheesy mix of cream cheese, Colby jack, and cheddar, kind of like queso! Then mix in elbow macaroni noodles to create the most delicious chili cheese mac! Top each bowl off with fresh cilantro and green onions. It’s so simple and has the best taste!
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In my head, I intended to share a salad today, but mac and cheese was more what I was in the mood for. We’ve entered into that time of year between winter and spring when most days are pretty cold. And even though spring is top of mind, it’s still very much winter.
I have salads I’m excited to share. And while I still plan to post them soon, it was cold and snowy. So I made us a pot of chili mac and cheese!
It’s shocking to me that this recipe doesn’t already live on this website. It’s a recipe I’ve thought about creating for years. But I steered away from it because it always felt a little too basic.
But this is nothing short of delicious. It really brings me back to my Midwest roots. One of the very first dishes I ever made was a Rachel Ray recipe that was very similar. To this day, my oldest brother raves about that Rachel Ray pasta. And now I have my own version here on the site.
I know you all will love this so much. It’s so easy to make!
These are the details…
Step 1: cook the meat
For this chili, I used my queso beef chili recipe as a base. You can use ground beef or ground chicken, even ground turkey would work. Use what you and your family will love most.
In a dutch oven, cook the meat along with an onion and a poblano or bell pepper. Then add the spices: chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne.
Step 2: Mix in the tomatoes + broth
Add a can of fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, and chopped green chilies. Then season with salt and pepper.
Add the broth, then a couple of cups of water. The water is important and will help the pasta cook in the chili. Cook everything together until the pasta is al dente.
It’s important to stir the pasta frequently to ensure nothing is sticking. But other than that, everything is EASY.
Step 3: the cheese
Mix in the cream cheese and shredded cheese. I mix Colby jack, pepper jack, and cheddar cheese. This is the “queso” element of this chili cheese mac. It makes for the yummiest mac and cheese.
Finish the dish with extra cheese, then bake until it’s super melty.
Step 4: finish up
Now, the toppings. Most chili is delicious as is. But what makes a chili mac recipe over-the-top good are fresh herbs on top.
Sprinkle on lots of fresh cilantro and some green onions. So delish! Of course, leftover can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and pop in the microwave to reheat.
Looking for other easy family dinners? Here are a few ideas:
One Pot Buffalo Chicken “Helper”
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole
One Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese
Pumpkin Cheese Stuffed Pasta Bolognese Bake
One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake
Lastly, if you make this One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese.
Yes! For this chili, I used my queso beef chili recipe as the base, but you can swap in ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey and apply all of the same spices.
This is one of those meals that makes a great lunch the next day! Keep in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to two days or in the freezer for up to a week or two – you can warm up this recipe for a great meal the next day.
Yes! I used elbow macaroni, but you could also use macaroni shells, farfalle, fusille, ziti, rigatoni, or penne.
Yes, absolutely – bagged shredded cheese of your choice or shred a cheese block. You can get creative with this recipe and the cheese you select will certainly impact the flavor.
A large braiser (12-14 inches), pot, or dutch over (one of the three), a wooden spoon, spoon rest and can opener!
One Pot Chili Cheese Mac
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef , (or ground chicken)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
- salt and black pepper
- 2-3 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded melty cheese, (colby, cheddar, pepper jack)
- green onions and cilantro, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. In a large pot set over medium-high heat, add the meat and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Brown the meat all over, breaking up the meat as you go.2. Add the poblanos, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne. Cook for 5 minutes, until fragrant. Mix in the tomatoes, tomato paste, and diced chilies. Pour over the broth. Add 2 cups water and season with salt. 3. Add the pasta. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente, stirring often. Stir in the hot sauce, cream cheese, and 1/2 the cheese. Cook another few minutes until very creamy. Remove from the heat and top with cheese. Bake for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.4. Divide the pasta and sauce among bowls and top with green onions and cilantro.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I haven’t made this yet, but it sounds yummy and I plan to make it..I have a question-you list, 2-3 cups of broth but then in the instructions you also mention 2 cups of water-is this in addition to the broth? It wasn’t listed in the ingredients so I wasn’t sure. So that would be 4
-5 cups total liquid, is that right? Thanks!
Hey Nancy,
Yes, that is correct, I usually don’t include water in my ingredients lists:) Please let me know if you have any other questions!
So yummy!! Will definitely add to my rotation. I used a protein shell pasta 🙂
Hey Bella,
Wonderful! I am so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it. Have the best week!
Delicious recipe! I used ground turkey and instead of using only 1 poblano, I added 1 green pepper too. Otherwise, I followed this exactly and it was a crowd pleaser. Even my pickiest eater enjoyed it!
Hey Mandy,
Your feedback means a lot, thanks for trying this recipe. I’m happy it delivered!
FANTASTIC. I love this one pot recipe!
Made two modifications to the recipe due to having to run an errand after the pasta cooked. I covered the big pot while it sat, then when I came back added 1 cup of heated water to the mixture since it needed more liquid, then added 2 more oz of cream cheese before topping with shredded cheddar, and then it baked for 10 minutes.
Hey Suzy,
Amazing! Love to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it and taking the time to comment!
Hi!
I always make this recipe and it is such a hit! If I was to substitute for elbow macaroni pasta, how much should I use?
Thanks!
Hey Jess,
Happy Monday! Big thanks for making this recipe and sharing back. So glad it hit the spot!
I would use the same amount:)
Delicious! An easy one pot meal thank you.
Loved the combo of chili and Mac and cheese creaminess.
I omitted the green chillies (hard to find in Aus) and it was still great.
This is going into the ‘make again’ list.
Hey Marilla,
Fantastic! I appreciate you making this recipe and your feedback, love to hear it turned out well! Have a great weekend!
Very forgiving and delicious! Made pretty much to recipe. Only had 8 oz pasta, so cut liquids in half. Only had 1 can of not fire-roasted crushed tomatoes and 1 can of fire-roasted diced. Also skipped baking it as the pan was full to the very brim! Very brim! Deemed a winner by chili-mac aficionado husband! Winner winner chili-mac dinner!
Hey Elisabeth,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you! Thanks for making it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
This was delicious! My partner said he’d put it into the rotation. It made a TON of food – how well will it freeze?
Hey Heather,
Happy Monday! I’m thrilled this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it and taking the time to comment!
You could totally freeze this!
My family LOVES this!
I’ve made it many times. Making it today as my 17 year old has a cold. Love the warm spicy to kick cold!
Hey Christina,
Fantastic! I’m so glad to hear this recipe is always a hit, thanks a bunch for making it!🍁
It was edible. My husband did not like it. We both agreed that it was too sour.
Hi Ivonne,
Very sorry to hear this. If there is anything that I can help with, please let me know!
There is nothing in this recipe that would cause a “sour” taste. Maybe your tomatoes were bitter? Add a little sugar, problem solved. But ‘1 star” rating is very excessive.
Do you have the nutritional facts for this ?
Hi Jennifer,
So sorry, I do not have that info at this time. Please let me know if I can help in any other way!
This was really good! I couldn’t find fire roasted crushed tomatoes so I bought fire roasted diced tomatoes with diced green Chiles. Also added more cream cheese. And instead of 2 cups of water, I added extra beef broth.
Hey Valerie,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your feedback, love to hear it was enjoyed!
Hi, would it work to do any of this a day in advance? Thanks for any advice?
Hi Colleen,
Totally, just make as directed and then reheat for serving. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Thanks so much! I have to tell you I so look forward to starting my Sundays with your post and tea! I love all that you share and are! I have tried this recipe before and my husband loved it. I’m wanting to make it for him to have with friends but it has to be for the next day so thank you again for the advice! Have a great day 🙂
Aww, thank you so much for your kind message:) I truly appreciate you making so many recipes!
Forgot to ask…instructions for reheating? Thank you!
For reheating, I would cover with foil and pop in the oven at 325F until bubbly.
Is there a non spicy version I can make for the kids??
Hi there,
Just omit the cayenne and hot sauce:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
I made this today because I wanted something warm and comforting after shoveling snow and it did not disappoint! I was worried it might be too spicy for me, but it has the perfect amount of heat. Loved it! The cilantro adds that little extra to brighten it up!
Thank you for this easy one pot meal!
Hey Jenny,
Happy Sunday! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xx
I decided to adapt this recipe by using the slow cooking function in my instant pot! I started by making the chili and then added the pasta, cream cheese and hot sauce after about 5 hours on normal. The noodles only took about 25 mins in the slow cooker. It was delicious and slow cooking the chili made for an even richer flavour. Loved it!
Hi Tiffany,
Big thanks for making this and sharing back. So glad it hit the spot!
This turned out fantastic. I used ground turkey, added a can of kidney beans and a little extra cheese. Absolutely going on my cozy carb blast meal list 😊
Hey Paige,
Wonderful! I’m so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for choosing to making it!
Could beans be put in this recipe?
Hey Rebecca,
Sure, that sounds like a great idea! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
I’ve made this a couple times! It’s delicious! Great week night meal for the family!
Hi Sarah,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have a great rest of the week:) Xxx