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Cozy One-Pot Campfire Chili Mac and Cheese

one-pot campfire chili mac and cheese - featured image
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A warm, comforting, and easy one-pot meal combining creamy cheese, spicy chili, and tender macaroni, perfect for camping or cozy nights at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni (or any small pasta shape)
  • 1 lb ground beef (can swap for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted optional)
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped green onions or fresh cilantro, jalapeño slices, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, crushed tortilla chips or crispy bacon bits

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add diced onion and minced garlic when meat is almost done. Cook until onions soften, about 3-4 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Stir well to coat. Pour in diced tomatoes with juices and simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Pour in broth, add macaroni and drained kidney beans (if using). Stir and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and liquid mostly absorbed.
  4. Remove pot from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chili mac. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes to melt cheese without stirring.
  5. Gently stir to combine cheese and chili mac. Serve hot, topped with optional garnishes like green onions, sour cream, or jalapeño slices.

Notes

Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution. Avoid stirring after adding cheese to prevent clumping. Adjust broth quantity to control sauce thickness. For camping, maintain a gentle simmer and stir occasionally to prevent burning. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded. Beans can be omitted or swapped with black beans. For vegetarian version, skip meat and add extra beans or vegetables.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili mac and cheese, one-pot meal, camping recipe, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy pasta, chili recipe

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/cozy-one-pot-campfire-chili-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-camping/