Easy Camp Cooking Recipe on a Portable Grill or Camp Stove
If you are looking for an easy camp cooking recipe that is hearty, simple, and satisfying, one pot chili mac is one of the best camping meals you can make.
This recipe combines chili, pasta, beans, and melted cheese into a single pot meal that works perfectly at a campsite, over a portable grill, or on a camp stove. It uses simple ingredients, requires very little cleanup, and feeds a hungry group of campers after a long day outside.
At UCO Gear we recently filmed a video making this chili mac recipe using our Cookit Camp Kitchen. It is the type of meal that works just as well at a national park campsite as it does in your backyard.
If you enjoy simple camp cooking recipes, this one pot chili mac belongs in your regular outdoor cooking rotation.
Watch the Camp Cooking Video
In the video we walk through the full chili mac cooking process using portable outdoor cooking gear. Camp cooking should feel approachable and fun. Simple ingredients, one pot, and a great meal shared outside.
What Makes Chili Mac a Great Camping Meal
When choosing camping recipes, simplicity matters. Chili mac is one of the best camp meals because it is filling, easy to cook, and requires very little equipment.
Reasons campers love chili mac include
• One pot cooking
• Simple pantry ingredients
• Easy to cook on a portable grill or camp stove
• High protein and very filling
• Minimal cleanup after cooking
It is also extremely flexible. You can add toppings, adjust spice levels, or swap proteins depending on what you have with you at camp.
This is why chili mac is a classic recipe for camping, van life cooking, and outdoor adventures.
Camping Cooking Gear We Used
One pot meals like this chili mac work best when you have reliable camp cooking gear.
For this recipe we used a few of our favorite portable outdoor cooking tools from UCO Gear.
Cookit Camp Kitchen
The Cookit Camp Kitchen is a compact portable cooking kit that helps you organize your utensils, spices, and cooking tools in one place. It allows you to cook full meals anywhere from a campground to a backyard picnic.
https://ucogear.com/products/cookit-camp-kitchen
UCO Smokeless Firepit Grill
For this recipe we cooked on the Smokeless Firepit Grill, which provides a stable cooking surface for pots and pans while helping reduce smoke around camp.
https://ucogear.com/products/smokeless-firepit-grill
This type of portable grill is ideal for camp cooking recipes because it allows you to sauté, simmer, and cook meals outdoors just like you would at home.
One Pot Chili Mac Ingredients
This camping recipe is adapted from the excellent camp cooking blog Fresh Off The Grid.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion, diced
½ pound ground beef or plant based ground
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz elbow macaroni
1 can kidney beans, drained
1½ cups beef or vegetable broth
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional toppings
Green onions
Jalapeños
Extra shredded cheese
Hot sauce
How to Cook Chili Mac While Camping
Step 1
Heat oil in a pot over your portable grill or camp stove. Add diced onion and cook until softened.
Step 2
Add ground beef, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Cook until the meat is browned.
Step 3
Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4
Add macaroni, kidney beans, and broth. Stir everything together.
Step 5
Cover and simmer until the pasta becomes tender. This usually takes about six minutes depending on the pasta.
Step 6
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
Serve hot and add toppings like jalapeños or green onions.
Camp Cooking Tips for One Pot Meals
Prep ingredients before leaving home
Chop onions and measure spices ahead of time to make cooking faster at camp.
Use a stable cooking surface
Portable grills like the UCO Smokeless Firepit Grill make it easier to cook meals evenly outdoors.
Bring versatile cooking tools
Having proper utensils like the Cookit tools makes outdoor cooking much easier.
Cook one pot meals
Meals like chili mac reduce cleanup and make camp cooking simple.
Variations of Chili Mac for Camping
Vegetarian chili mac
Replace ground beef with plant based ground or add extra beans.
Spicy chili mac
Add cayenne pepper or additional jalapeños.
Backpacking chili mac
Pre cook the meat and bring dehydrated ingredients to reduce pack weight.
Why One Pot Recipes Are Ideal for Camping
One pot recipes are one of the easiest ways to cook while camping. They allow campers to cook a full meal using minimal gear, minimal cleanup, and minimal time.
This is why many of the most popular camp cooking recipes are one pot meals like chili mac, campfire pasta, and skillet meals.
If you are building your camp cooking recipe list, chili mac is one of the easiest and most reliable meals to start with.
Camp Cooking Recipe FAQs
What is the easiest meal to cook while camping
One pot meals like chili mac, pasta dishes, stir fries, and skillet meals are among the easiest camping recipes because they require minimal equipment.
Can you cook pasta while camping
Yes. Pasta cooks easily on a camp stove or portable grill using a single pot and a small amount of water or broth.
What cooking gear do you need for camp cooking
Basic camp cooking gear includes a portable grill or stove, a cooking pot, utensils, and a mess kit. Compact setups like the UCO Cookit Camp Kitchen make it easy to cook full meals outdoors.
What are the best camping dinner recipes
Some of the best camping dinner recipes include chili mac, campfire tacos, skillet hash, grilled vegetables, and one pot pasta dishes.
If you want to try this recipe yourself, pack the ingredients, bring your portable cooking setup, and enjoy one of the easiest and most satisfying meals you can make outdoors.
