One pot chili mac recipe is the perfect dish for cooking over an open fire. Using a cast iron skillet for this one pot chili mac recipe enhances the experience. Cast iron skillets are known for their ability to heat evenly and retain warmth. This means you can enjoy perfectly cooked pasta and chili without worrying about burning your dinner.
When you’re outdoors, a cast iron skillet is easy to handle. The durability of this cookware makes it a top choice for campfire cooking. Plus, it can withstand higher temperatures, allowing you to achieve that ideal simmer. When preparing a one pot chili mac recipe, this means every ingredient cooks beautifully together.
Another advantage of using a cast iron skillet is its versatility in preparing meals. You can use it for sautéing onions and peppers before adding the pasta and chili. This one pot chili mac recipe becomes even tastier as it combines all those ingredients. So, let’s get started on this delicious journey with one pot chili mac!
Cooking Instructions For the Campfire One Pot Chili Mac Recipe
- The first step of making the campfire one pot chili mac recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the campfire one pot chili mac recipe, so you will want to make sure you have plenty on hand.
- If using embers, get a large fire going using (preferably) hardwood and let it slowly burn down. This process from start to finish can take upwards of an hour.
- If using charcoals, fill a large chimney starter and light. This process will take approximately 20 minutes to get all the coals hot and ready. You will likely want to have some charcoals available in reserve.
- Add A grill grate for your Dutch oven or a tripod to hang it over the fire
- Add a large cast iron skillet to the cooking great and preheat. In a large Dutch oven add the meat and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Brown the meat all over, break up the ground beef with wooden spoon or spatula.
- Add the poblanos, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne. Cook for 5 minutes, until fragrant. Mix in the tomatoes, tomato paste, and diced chilies. Add the broth to the mixture. Next add cups water and seasoned with salt.
- Add the pasta. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente, stirring often. Stir in the hot sauce, cream cheese, and 1/2 the cheese. Cook another few minutes until very creamy. Remove from the heat and top with cheese. Bake for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the fire and divide the pasta and sauce among bowls. Top with added cheese, green onions and cilantro serve and enjoy.
Ingredients
ground beef
onion, chopped
poblano pepper
chili powder
garlic powder
smoked paprika
cumin
cayenne pepper
tomatoes
cup tomato paste
green chilies
salt
black pepper
chicken broth
pasta
hot sauce
cream cheese
cheese,
green onions
cilantro
7 Reasons I Love the Campfire One Pot Chili Mac Recipe
1. Easy: It kind of goes without saying that a one pot meal recipe is great for when you want something easier! No need to dirty up several pots and pans, no need to check on different things cooking in various areas of the kitchen… These recipes all come together deliciously in just one pot.
2. Clean Up: There’s nothing quite as annoying as finishing a meal and seeing a kitchen piled high with dirty dishes. One pot meals diminish that annoyance because, well, you only have to clean one pot!
3. They’re a whole meal: In other words, usually you don’t need a side dish. Maybe a hunk of bread—or, in the case of something like Chicken Posole Verde or mom’s Sierra Chicken Stew, a tortilla—but that’s it.
4. They fill your house with great aromas: This is especially true of long-simmering one-pot recipes, like pot roast, brisket, or Wine-Simmered Beef Stew with Carrots, Mushrooms, and Onions.
5. Love and appreciation: A one-pot recipe might not remind you of your mom like it reminds me of mine. But I’ll bet that you, too, have delicious memories of someone or something that get stirred up when there’s something wonderful simmering on the stove. And making a one-pot recipe can be a great way to revel in your appreciation for that someone or something.
6. Filling: I’ve made sure that all of the recipes on this list really hit the spot. You won’t find anything here that leaves you wanting for too much more.
7. Comforting: As you scroll, you may notice a trend amongst these easy recipes. In other words, perfect for when it’s rainy and dreary and cold outside.
Simplify Dinner with a One-Pot Meal
One-pot meals are like the footie pajamas of the family table; cozy, familiar, and easy to throw on. They offer the pleasure of home cooking assembled with little fuss and minimal clean-up, and nearly always contain a starch, protein and vegetable all rolled into one happy dish.
Most cultures have their version of the one-pot meal. The Italians stir up creamy risotto, the Spanish steam fragrant paella and the French serve a perfect cassoulet, to name but just a few. Versions of this dish span the globe from nearly every ethnicity, the defining factor is in its name: it requires only one pot. That pot may be a wok, a Dutch Oven, a skillet or tagine, but everything is prepared in that one vessel and the melded flavors combine to produce something extraordinary.
One Pot Meals Health Benefits
How can a one-pot meal be more nutritious than its conventionally-cooked counterpart? When we cook in water, nutrients from the vegetables, meat, bones, and/or connective tissues are released and leach into the water, thus making a stock or broth if simmered for long enough. When we add absorbent ingredients (say noodles or rice), the liquid and nutrients are absorbed. This not only changes the flavor and maybe even the consistency slightly, but it also means that foods which generally have less minerals and vitamins can become nutrition vehicles.
There are other health and developmental benefits to using one-pot meals, but rather than go into detail, let’s just keep it simple. One-pot meals:
Increase the opportunity to incorporate vegetables into sauces or within a dish.
Increase nutrition by fortifying the less nutrient-dense ingredients.
Increase exposure to potentially non-preferred foods, which is associated with decreased picky eating and healthier eating habits in the future.
Provide the opportunity to expose a child to a variety of food textures and consistencies which promotes oral motor skills and is associated with healthier eating habits and reduced picky eating.
One Pot Cooking Tips
If using meat, try to cut them into similar sizes so that they cook at the same time.
To get more flavor into the meat you can brown the meat first to seal in the juices.
As an alternative to using the slow cooker, cast iron casserole dishes conduct the best heat and can be used on the hob and in the oven.
Lots of beans, pulses and vegetables are great vegetarian alternatives to meat and a fantastic way to pack out a casserole and make it go further.
The longer that you can cook the stew or casserole for the better as the flavors will intensify through the cooking process.
Some cuts of meat benefit more from slow cooking on a low heat so that they tenderize.
If possible use meat or vegetable stock to help to create a sauce packed full of flavor.
FAQ For the Campfire One Pot Chili Mac Recipe
Q: What type of ground meat is best for the campfire one pot chili mac recipe
A: For the campfire one pot chili mac recipe, ground beef is commonly used, but you can also use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Ground beef provides a robust flavor that complements the chili spices.
Q: How long does it take to cook the campfire one pot chili mac recipe?
A: The campfire one pot chili mac recipe typically takes about 25-30 minutes to cook. This includes browning the meat, simmering the chili, and cooking the macaroni until it’s tender.
Q:Can I add beans to the campfire one pot chili mac recipe??
A: Yes, you can add beans to the campfire one pot chili mac recipe. Common choices are kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans. They add texture and protein to the dish.
Q: How do I ensure the pasta doesn’t become mushy in the campfire one pot chili mac recipe?
A: To ensure the pasta doesn’t become mushy in the campfire one pot chili mac recipe, add the macaroni towards the end of the cooking process and cook it until just al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Q: Can I make the campfire one pot chili mac recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the campfire one pot chili mac recipe ahead of time. Prepare the chili base and refrigerate it. When ready to serve, reheat the chili, add the macaroni, and cook until the pasta is tender and the dish is heated through.
Other One Pot Recipe to Try
Campfire One Pot Cheddar Jalapeno Chili Fries
Campfire One Pot Hot Beef Chili
Campfire One Pot Bourbon Pepper Steak Recipe
Campfire One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
Campfire One Pot Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
Campfire One Pot Chili Mac Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Twine
- mixing bowl
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Grill Grate
- knives
- Campfire Cooking Utensils
- Campfire Serving Utensils
- Campfire Fork Or Tongs
- fire proof cooking gloves
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Foil Paper Non Stick
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 poblano pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 28 oz tomatoes crushed fire-roasted
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 4 oz green chilies diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper fresh ground
- 3 cups chicken broth or beef broth
- 1 lb pasta short cut
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 2 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 2 cups cheese shredded colby, cheddar or pepper jack
- green onions and cilantro for serving
Instructions
- The first step of making the campfire one pot chili mac recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the campfire one pot chili mac recipe, so you will want to make sure you have plenty on hand.
- If using embers, get a large fire going using (preferably) hardwood and let it slowly burn down. This process from start to finish can take upwards of an hour.
- If using charcoals, fill a large chimney starter and light. This process will take approximately 20 minutes to get all the coals hot and ready. You will likely want to have some charcoals available in reserve.
- Add A grill grate for your Dutch oven or a tripod to hang it over the fire
- Preheat the oven to 425° F. In a large pot set over medium-high heat, add the meat and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Brown the meat all over, breaking up the meat as you go.
- Add the poblanos, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne. Cook for 5 minutes, until fragrant. Mix in the tomatoes, tomato paste, and diced chilies. Pour over the broth. Add 2 cups water and season with salt.
- Add the pasta. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente, stirring often. Stir in the hot sauce, cream cheese, and 1/2 the cheese. Cook another few minutes until very creamy. Remove from the heat and top with cheese. Bake for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Divide the pasta and sauce among bowls and top with green onions and cilantro.
- Remove from the fire serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
1 comment
Easy recipe and it was really good, thank you for posting this one.
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