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One Pot Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac — serving inspiration
Illustrative serving idea.

Kitchen notes · a little help before you start

One Pot Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac

Chili mac is a good answer to a craving for something cheesy and substantial. Here, the beans and corn nestle around little elbows of pasta in a thick tomato sauce. The cheddar melts right through at the end, giving each spoonful a pleasantly cozy finish.

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min
Original yield
Serves 8
Ingredients
14 listed

Make it part of your week

Estimating…
Main courseBeans & lentilsPrep: 15 minutes or lessTotal: 31–60 minutesOne potOne pot & sheet pan
Recipe categories & planning details
Meal type
Main course
Primary protein
Beans & lentils
Cooking method
One pot · One pot & sheet pan
Preparation & total time
Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 31–60 minutes

A few quick notes

1. Cook the flour with the spices

Stir flour and chili powder into the softened onion and garlic before adding the liquids.

2. Scrape the pot as you stir

Dissolve the flour and spice coating from the bottom when adding tomatoes, beans and broth.

3. Keep stirring the macaroni

Stir as the pot heats and during the gentle simmer so the noodles don't stick.

Get to know the ingredients

Three kinds of beans

Drain and rinse the kidney, black and pinto beans before adding them to the pot.

Chili powder blend

Check whether your chili powder is mild or spicy; it is different from plain ground chile.

Sharp cheddar

Stir in shredded cheddar only after the macaroni is tender.

Let’s make it

Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.

MAKE IT YOURS

Ingredients

Original recipe: Serves 8. Original quantities shown.

Estimating…

Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.

How to make it

0 of 6 steps complete

Make room for One Pot Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac

Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.

The last little job

Melt the cheddar through

Stir until the cheese melts into the thick, saucy pasta, then serve it hot.

A little more help as you go

Use uncooked macaroni

Add the dry noodles directly to the pot with the chili mixture.

Lower the heat after boiling

Keep the covered pot at a gentle simmer once it has come to a boil.

A few questions you might have

Do I cook the macaroni separately?

No, it goes into the pot uncooked and simmers with the tomatoes, beans and broth.

Should the beans be drained?

Yes, drain and rinse all three kinds before adding them to the pot.

When do I add the cheese?

Wait until the pasta is tender, then stir the cheddar in until melted.

What keeps the macaroni from sticking?

Stir frequently during simmering and as the pot comes up to a boil.

Is this made with plain chile powder?

Use a blend of mild red chiles and spices; check your blend's heat level.

Any more cooking tips?

This chili powder is a blend of mild red chiles and other spices. Some brands may contain spicy cayenne, so just be aware of whether your chili powder is spicy or mild.

Storage & reheating safety

For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.

These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures

Recipe source: budgetbytes.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.

Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.

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