Cheesy Pasta with Ground Beef (Chili Mac)
If you're looking for a quick and delicious meal that the whole family will love, this One-Pot Cheesy Pasta with Ground Beef (chili mac) is the perfect solution. Combining hearty ground beef, savory spices, and gooey melted cheese, this dish is a comforting favorite that's incredibly easy to prepare.
Servings: 6
Calories: 420kcal
Equipment
- Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 8 ounces Cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15 ounce can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 8 ounces shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
- Add the ground beef to the Dutch oven. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, red kidney beans, and sugar. Bring to a boil.
- Add the Cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni to the Dutch oven. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 10-12 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a little more beef broth or water.
- Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top of the chili macaroni. Cover the Dutch oven and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Serve hot, garnished with oregano and additional cheese if desired.
Video
Notes
Storage Store leftover chili mac in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze To freeze, allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.
Reheat To reheat, microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Swap for ground turkey for a leaner option.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1056mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 799IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 480mg | Iron: 4mg
