One-Pan High Protein Chili Mac (Printable)

Hearty beef and pasta skillet with smoky spices and melted cheddar, ready in 30 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein

01 - 1 pound ground beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based ground

→ Aromatics

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices

04 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
05 - 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
08 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sauce Base

09 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
10 - 0.5 cup tomato sauce
11 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth

→ Pasta

12 - 2 cups dry elbow macaroni or short pasta

→ Cheese

13 - 2 cups shredded sharp or mild cheddar cheese

→ Optional Add-Ins

14 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15 - 1 jalapeño, diced

→ Toppings

16 - Sliced green onions
17 - Sour cream
18 - Crushed tortilla chips
19 - Extra shredded cheese
20 - Fresh cilantro

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon for approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper over the meat and onions. Stir to evenly coat and distribute the spices throughout.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir well to combine thoroughly.
05 - Add the dry macaroni and optional beans or jalapeño if desired. Stir well, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
06 - Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta reaches al dente texture and most of the liquid is absorbed, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
07 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta and stir until completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.
09 - Ladle into bowls and top with desired garnishes such as green onions, sour cream, tortilla chips, cilantro, or extra cheese. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so theres almost nothing to clean up after dinner.
  • You get over 30 grams of protein per serving without any powders or supplements.
  • The spices and cheese meld together into a sauce thats creamy, smoky, and just spicy enough.
  • You can swap the meat, the pasta, or the heat level and it still works every time.
02 -
  • Stir the pasta every few minutes while it simmers or the noodles on the bottom will stick and burn.
  • If the sauce looks too thick before the pasta is done, add a splash more broth or water.
  • Let the pan sit off the heat for a minute before stirring in the cheese so it melts smoothly instead of clumping.
03 -
  • Use a mix of sharp and mild cheddar for the best balance of flavor and creaminess.
  • Toast your spices in the pan for 30 seconds before adding the liquids to unlock deeper, smokier flavor.
  • If you want it extra creamy, stir in a few tablespoons of cream cheese along with the cheddar at the end.
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