PF
Delicious penne pasta with spicy red sauce, garnished with fresh basil and chili pepper.
Stovetop~55 minComplexity

One Pot Chili Pasta

This One Pot Chili Pasta delivers 29g protein and 580 calories per serving across 9 batched portions. Cooks entirely on the stovetop in quick prep time, eliminating multiple dishes and cleanup during your weekly meal prep session. The high volume makes this an efficient choice for stretching your protein budget across more meals.

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Ingredients

9 servings
  • Olive oil(15g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic(120g)
  • 80/20 Ground Beef(227g)
  • Flour, All-Purpose, White(30g)
  • Chili powder(30g)
  • Tomato Sauce(425g)
  • Canned Diced Tomatoes(425g)
  • Beans, Black, Canned, Drained(425g)
  • Beans, Kidney, Canned, Drained(425g)
  • Corn, Sweet, Frozen(240g)
  • Pasta, Macaroni (Elbow), White, Dry(480g)
  • Low Sodium Beef Broth(480g)
  • Mexican Blend Cheese(240g)

Instructions

  1. 1Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat for 1 minute, then add the onion and garlic. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.
  2. 2Add the ground beef to the pot and cook 5–7 minutes over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no longer pink and browned throughout. If excess fat pools at the bottom, drain it off.
  3. 3Sprinkle the flour and chili powder over the meat and stir constantly for 1–2 minutes over medium heat until the flour coats the meat and darkens slightly—do not let it burn.
  4. 4Drain and rinse the black beans and kidney beans. Add the beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and corn to the pot. Stir well to dissolve any flour-chili mixture stuck to the bottom.
  5. 5Add the elbow macaroni and beef broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat (2–3 minutes), then stir once to loosen any pasta stuck to the bottom. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  6. 6Remove from heat and stir in the Mexican blend cheese until melted and the mixture becomes creamy (1–2 minutes).
  7. 7Divide evenly into 9 airtight containers while hot. Cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating, or serve immediately.

Nutrition — Per Serving

580

calories

29g

protein

18g

fat

Carbohydrates
78g
Saturated fat
7.5g
Sodium
843 mg
Dietary fiber
8.2g

9 servings per batch · ~396g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does One Pot Chili Pasta have per serving?

Each serving provides 29g of protein and 580 calories, with 18g fat and 78g carbs. The chili base delivers decent protein while keeping individual servings balanced across 9 total portions.

How long does One Pot Chili Pasta take to prep?

Total cook time is under 20 minutes in a single pot, and the recipe batch-preps 9 servings at once. This high yield makes it one of the most efficient options for weekly meal prep when you need multiple servings.

Is One Pot Chili Pasta good for muscle gain?

At 29g protein per serving, this recipe works as a component in a muscle gain diet rather than a complete standalone meal — you'd likely combine it with additional protein sources to hit daily targets. The 78g carbs per serving and 580 calories make it substantial enough for post-workout meals when paired with lean protein.

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