One-Pan Cheeseburger Chili Mac (Print Version)

Hearty skillet combining beef, macaroni, melted cheddar and classic burger toppings for a comforting 35-minute meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes or diced tomatoes
05 - 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped

→ Pasta

06 - 8 oz elbow macaroni

→ Dairy

07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/2 cup milk

→ Sauces & Condiments

09 - 1/4 cup ketchup
10 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
11 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
16 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional

→ Liquids

17 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the cherry tomatoes, pickles, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine.
04 - Pour in the broth and milk, then add the macaroni. Stir to ensure the pasta is submerged.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
07 - Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes to melt.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with extra pickles if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan, which means minimal cleanup and maximum time for actually enjoying dinner.
  • It's packed with protein and hits that savory, slightly tangy flavor profile that makes people ask for seconds before they've finished their first bite.
  • You can throw it together in about 35 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when your original dinner plan fell apart.
02 -
  • If you skip the browning step on the beef or rush it, the whole dish loses its burger identity and tastes like generic meat sauce, so commit to a proper crust.
  • The pasta will continue absorbing liquid even after you turn off the heat, so if it seems slightly saucier than you want right when you're finishing, that's actually perfect timing.
03 -
  • Don't walk away while the pasta is simmering because those last few minutes are when it goes from perfect to mushy if you're not paying attention.
  • Taste the finished dish before plating because the balance of salt and tang is personal—some people love it more acidic and some want it richer, so adjust the milk or mustard to match your preference.
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