One-Pot Tex-Mex Chili Mac (Printable)

Comforting fusion of chili and macaroni with black beans, corn, and golden cheese topping ready in 35 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked

→ Vegetables & Beans

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 cup frozen or canned sweet corn, drained
07 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
08 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Liquids

09 - 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

→ Spices

10 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

→ Cheese Topping

17 - 1.5 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

→ Garnishes

18 - Sliced green onions, optional
19 - Fresh cilantro, optional
20 - Sliced jalapeños, optional
21 - Sour cream, optional

# Steps:

01 - In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and diced red bell pepper; cook for another 2 minutes.
03 - Add corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
04 - Pour in broth and bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Stir in macaroni, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using.
06 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove the lid, sprinkle cheese evenly over the top. Cover again for 2-3 minutes, until cheese is melted and creamy.
08 - Serve hot, topped with green onions, cilantro, jalapeños, or sour cream as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely one-pot, meaning minimal cleanup when you're already tired.
  • The flavors taste like Tex-Mex restaurant food but come together in your own kitchen in under 40 minutes.
  • Black beans and corn make it hearty enough to satisfy without meat, though you can absolutely add it if you want.
02 -
  • Don't use reduced-sodium broth without tasting and adjusting salt at the end, or your dish might taste flat and underseasoned.
  • Stir the pasta occasionally as it cooks so it doesn't clump together or stick to the bottom of the pot.
03 -
  • If your pot doesn't have a tight-fitting lid, use foil to cover it during simmering so steam stays trapped and the pasta cooks evenly.
  • Taste the dish before serving and adjust salt boldly—it makes the difference between good and memorable.
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