One-Pan Cheeseburger Chili Mac (Print Version)

Hearty blend of beef, pasta, cheddar, and pickles cooked together in one pan for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta

04 - 8 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked

→ Liquids

05 - 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
06 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
08 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Dairy

12 - 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

→ Toppings & Finish

13 - 0.5 cup dill pickles, chopped
14 - 2 tbsp fresh chives or green onions, sliced

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spatula, until mostly browned, about 4–5 minutes.
02 - Add diced onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Stir in ketchup, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the beef evenly.
04 - Add uncooked macaroni, beef broth, and canned tomatoes with juice. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
07 - Top with chopped dill pickles and sliced chives or green onions. Serve hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • One-pan convenience means easy cooking and minimal cleanup
  • Ready in just 35 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
  • Packed with 35g of protein per serving
  • Familiar comfort food flavors the whole family will enjoy
  • Versatile recipe that can be easily modified for different diets
02 -
  • Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-packaged for the creamiest melt
  • For extra flavor, toast the elbow macaroni in the pan for a minute before adding the liquids
  • Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pan to prevent scorching
  • For authentic cheeseburger flavor, don't skip the pickle topping
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