This chili mac recipe is the perfect marriage of two of the most comforting comfort foods of all time. Delicious way to use up leftover chili!
Original post: October 2017 | Updated: November 2020
Why This Recipe Works
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
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 Notes
- Stir 1/2 cup tomato sauce or diced tomatoes to the chili for an extra saucy chili.
- Add chopped green pepper (bell or jalapeno) for an extra crunch.
- If you need to bump up the flavor in the chili, consider adding a touch of chili powder, beef broth or red kidney beans.
How Long Does Mac and Cheese Last
If you have leftovers and you are wondering whether to toss or eat, read this article for information about how long mac and cheese lasts in the fridge.
Substitute For Milk in Mac and Cheese
Whether you are looking for a different flavor in your next creamy pasta dish or you just don’t have milk on hand, learn what to substitute for milk in cheesy macaroni!
Toppings For Chili Mac
A bowl of chili is the perfect template for delicious toppings! Consider any or all of the following:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced green onions
- Crushed saltine crackers or oyster crackers
Substitute For Beans In Chili
Whether you can’t eat beans or you just don’t have any on hand, learn what to substitute for beans in chili!
Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Crockpot Mac and Cheese (a Top 5 most popular Pip and Ebby recipe!)
- Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
- Mac and Cheese Bites
- Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
What To Serve With Chili
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:
Chili Dinner Ideas – Recipes and Sides!
Click over for chili dinner ideas with a variety of recipes and side dish recommendations, as well.
Appetizer Ideas
Chili dinners are the best in those cold winter months! If you are looking to round out your meal, peruse this roundup for ideas about what to serve as appetizers for chili.
How To Thicken Chili
If you make a delicious batch and find that it is not thick enough for your liking, we have some simple methods that will fix it! Read on for tips about how to thicken chili.
What To Do With Chili Leftovers
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:
- Ideas for ways to use up leftovers
- Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Best Ever Chili Dogs recipe
- Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes
How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce
Don’t use any old chili recipe to pile on top of hot dogs. This delicious recipe details how to make hot dog chili sauce so the consistency is just right!
Comfort Food Recipes
- Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole boasts flavor and creaminess over a bed of steaming egg noodles. This casserole is just like your mom’s recipe but so much more!
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a delicious combination of the tastiest flavors you will ever eat in a single bite. Bacon, chicken, creamy alfredo sauce and pasta make dinner a hit in less than 30 minutes!
- Best Baked Ziti is 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.
- 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.
- Dinner has never been easier! NO PREP is required for this quick and delicious One-Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. Simplify those busy weeknights by adding this hearty meal to the dinner rotation!
- Easy, creamy Chicken 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!
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Chili Mac Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 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
- 4 tbsp 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.
Notes
- Stir 1/2 cup tomato sauce or diced tomatoes to the chili for an extra saucy chili.
- Add chopped green pepper (bell or jalapeno) for an extra crunch.
- If you need to bump up the flavor in the chili, consider adding a touch of chili powder, beef broth or red kidney beans.
Omg- so I was wondering what to make or do with let over chili, and I came across this recipe…. I can’t believe I forgot about chili Mac! We used to have this every time we had leftover chili… 🥰
HI LaTina, I’m so glad you came by! I love this use of leftover chili too – so good! Enjoy dinner with your family! Thanks for sharing!
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