The marriage of two of the most comforting comfort foods of all time! This Chili Macaroni and Cheese Recipe combo is a great dinner and a delicious way to use up leftover Chili in a one-pan recipe.
Original recipe posted: October 2017 | Recipe updated: October 2019
This is riiiiight about the time every year when I get my first sickness, so the sore throat I’ve been lugging around all day is not surprising. The only thing worse than being sick is having to carry on with life as though I feel peachy. I was tired by the time we got home tonight. Like, dead tired. I clung to the little bits of comfort I could find, like drinking a small glass of wine and doubling up on comfort food for dinner.
This Chili Mac is TWO-IN-ONE comfort food, you guys, and I cannot even explain how comforting and yummy it is. This will be my new go-to recipe any time I have leftover Chili hanging around. If you aren’t lucky enough to have leftover chili but have a need for this Chili Mac, this Easy 5-Ingredient Chili comes together in 30 minutes and gives you a great excuse to make a batch.
HOW TO MAKE CHILI MAC AND CHEESE
This recipe is perfect for using up chili or making chili expressly for the delicious pasta addition.
STEP 1
Reheat the chili on the stovetop in a large skillet over medium heat.
STEP 2
Pour a medium saucepan half with water and bring to a boil. Cook the macaroni over medium-high heat until al dente. Drain and add pasta back to the saucepan. Add the cheese and butter and stir until melted.
STEP 3
Add the mac and cheese to the chili and stir. Ladle into serving bowls and serve immediately.
RECIPE TIPS
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Stir 1/2 cup tomato sauce or diced tomatoes to the chili for an extra saucy chili.
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Add chopped green pepper (bell or jalapeno) for an extra crunch.
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If you need to bump up the flavor in the chili, consider adding a touch of chili powder, beef broth or red kidney beans.
WHAT TO TOP CHILI MAC WITH
A bowl of chili is the perfect template for delicious toppings! Consider any or all of the following:
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Shredded cheddar cheese
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Sour cream
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Sliced green onions
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Crushed saltine crackers or oyster crackers
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHILI MAC
Serve chili warm with a bit of shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. A few good options to serve alongside it include:
WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER CHILI
If you have leftovers, and it’s very possible that you will because this makes a large batch, please check out these delicious recipes to help use them up:
A FEW MORE COMFORT FOOD OPTIONS FOR YOU TO ENJOY
What’s your go-to comfort food?
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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole – this dinner boasts flavor and creaminess over a bed of steaming egg noodles. This casserole is just like your mom’s recipe but so much more! This is a perfect hearty weeknight meal to put on the table.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – This is a delicious combination of the tastiest flavors you will ever eat in a single bite. Bacon, chicken, creamy alfredo sauce and pasta all make dinner a hit in less than 30 minutes!
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Best Baked Ziti – Packed with flavorful meat sauce and layers of cheesy goodness, you will enjoy each flavorful bite. This delicious dinner feeds a lot of people and is super filling and hearty. It is a great meal to freeze and bake at a later time, too!
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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken – You need to try this mixture on a bun because it’s an addicting and delicious lunch or dinner option that everyone will enjoy. Great weeknight meal AND the perfect party food!
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One-Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole – Dinner has never been easier! NO PREP is required for this quick and delicious Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. Simplify those busy weeknights by adding this hearty meal to the dinner rotation!
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Easy Classic Chicken Alfredo – Easy, creamy Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo is the perfect dinner recipe for busy nights. Done in 30 minutes and made in a single pan, everyone at the table will love this comforting dish!
If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a photo and tag it @pipandebby + hashtag it #PIPANDEBBY I’d love to see what you create!
Chili Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 4-6 cups prepared Best Chili on Earth or Easy 5-Ingredient Chili
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp. butter
- Sour cream for topping, if desired
Instructions
- Heat the chili on the stovetop in a large saucepan. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook over medium-high heat until al dente. Drain and add pasta back to the saucepan. Add the cheese and butter and stir until melted.
- Add the mac and cheese to the chili and stir. Ladle into serving bowls immediately and top with sour cream, if desired.
YUM! Love this hybrid comfort food– all the deliciousness of my cold weather favorites in one dinner! Gotta try.
YES, Karly! Exactly my thoughts! Wishing I had a bowl in my lap right now. Enjoy!!
Megan
Great idea ! ! I will definitely prepare this. Here are some other uses for leftover chili : 1). Cincinnati Chili : use as a bolognais sauce and spoon over cooked spaghetti. 2). Spread between 2 tortillas, add some cheese and fry in a skillet for a chili quesadilla. 3). Top a hot dog for a chili dog. 4). Dollop on top of shredded ice berg lettuce w. a dollop of salsa, sour cream, cheddar cheese and Fritos for a taco salad. 5). Spoon onto toasted for sloppy joes . . . Versatile and nutritious chili ! ! My grandmother stretched hers by putting cubed cooked potatoes in the mix. Thank you Megan ! ! ?
Hi Cathleen! Oh my gosh, what AMAZING ideas! The chili quesadilla has me drooling! And…sloppy joes? Brilliant!
Megan