Elevated Chili Mac (Hamburger Helper) Pasta

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By Emma M

Elevated Chili Mac (Hamburger Helper) Pasta

Name: Elevated Chili Mac (Hamburger Helper) Pasta
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp olive oil; 350g cooked ground beef; 50g red lentils; 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 tsp chili powder (or taco seasoning); 1/4 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; Salt & pepper to taste; 230g tomato passata; 2–3 cups broth or stock; 1/2 lb (about 2 cups) short pasta (macaroni, shells, or rotini); 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 50g cream cheese; Optional garnish: chopped parsley or sliced green onions

6 steps

Cook:20min

Quick one-pot chili mac with ground beef, tomato sauce, broth, pasta, and a creamy cheddar finish. Weeknight-friendly and ready in about 20 minutes; top with parsley or green onions.

Updated at: Wed, 15 Jul 2026 01:57:34 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories701.1 kcal (35%)

Total Fat33.1 g (47%)

Carbs57.4 g (22%)

Sugars3 g (3%)

Protein41.9 g (84%)

Sodium1225.5 mg (61%)

Fiber4.6 g (16%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

4 servings

1 Tbspolive oil

350gground beef

cooked

50gred lentils

1 Tbspall-purpose flour

1 tspchili powder

or taco seasoning

¼ tsppaprika

½ tspgarlic powder

½ tsponion powder

230gtomato passata

2 cupsbroth

or stock

0.5 lbshort pasta

macaroni, shells, or rotini

1 cupshredded cheddar cheese

50gcream cheese

parsley

Optional garnish, chopped, or sliced green onions

Instructions

Step 1

Start your side dish of choice; continue on while it’s cooking.

Step 2

Heat a large pan or pot over medium heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil.

Step 3

Add ground beef, garlic, flour and seasonings; sauté 2–3 minutes.

Step 4

Add in liquid ingredients; stir well; bring to a boil.

Step 5

Add in uncooked pasta noodles; mix well; cover with lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked and liquid is reduced, 8–10 minutes.

Step 6

Add in your cheeses.