One-Pan Cheeseburger Chili Mac (Printer-friendly)

Hearty skillet combines beef, cheddar, and pickles with tender macaroni in a flavorful 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

→ 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 ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add cherry tomatoes, pickles, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Pour in broth and milk, then add macaroni. Stir to ensure pasta is fully submerged in liquid.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches al dente consistency and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and sauce becomes creamy.
07 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over surface. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes to allow cheese to melt completely.
08 - Portion into bowls and serve hot, garnished with additional pickles if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time actually enjoying your meal.
  • The flavors feel familiar and comforting, but the combination keeps things interesting in a way that never gets boring.
  • It's high in protein and actually filling, so nobody's raiding the fridge an hour later.
02 -
  • Don't drain the beef completely dry, because some of that fat carries flavor and helps the sauce coat the pasta smoothly instead of clumping.
  • Stirring occasionally while simmering prevents the bottom from catching and burning, which would add a bitter note that ruins the whole cheeseburger vibe you're going for.
03 -
  • Use block cheddar and shred it yourself because pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting into a smooth, cohesive sauce.
  • Taste the broth before you use it, because some brands are surprisingly salty and will throw off your seasoning balance if you're not paying attention.
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