One-Pan Cheeseburger Chili Mac (Printable Version)

Skillet meal combining cheeseburger flavors with creamy mac and cheese. High-protein, kid-friendly comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

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 tablespoons yellow mustard
11 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

→ Spices & Seasonings

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

→ Liquids

17 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth

# Directions:

01 - In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, add ground beef and cook, breaking up 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 if using. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
04 - Pour in broth and milk, then add macaroni. Stir to ensure pasta is 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 is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy throughout.
07 - Sprinkle 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 -
  • It tastes exactly like a cheeseburger but you eat it with a spoon and everything cooks in one pan.
  • The pickles add this tangy crunch that cuts through the richness and makes every bite feel bright and fun.
  • You can have dinner on the table in half an hour without turning on the oven or dirtying a mountain of dishes.
  • Kids go wild for it because it's familiar flavors in a cozy mac and cheese form.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the fat if your beef is really greasy, or your sauce will be slick and heavy instead of creamy.
  • Stir the pasta occasionally while it simmers so it doesn't clump together or stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Let the cheese melt off the heat so it stays smooth and doesn't break into a grainy mess.
03 -
  • Use a deep skillet or Dutch oven so the pasta has room to cook evenly without bubbling over the sides.
  • Taste the sauce before stirring in the cheese and adjust the salt, since the cheese and broth add their own saltiness.
  • Let the finished dish sit for a few minutes before serving so the sauce thickens up and clings to every bite of pasta.
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