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This leftover chili mac recipe might flash to mind those days of eating chili mac in the school cafeteria. It is basically a homemade Hamburger Helper beef pasta recipe with leftover chili. The chili I usually make includes beef and beans so this is a leftover chili macaroni with beans recipe, but you can easily use whatever chili you have on hand – beans or no beans!

Coming Up with Leftover Chili Mac

This leftover chili mac comes together so quickly on the stove top. During our last snow storm, I made chili on the first night – kind of a tradition in our house. On the first night, we had chili Frito pies and on the second night we had leftover chili with tamales. By the third night, everyone was kind of chili-d out, but I was determined to use up all the leftovers. I dug around in the pantry and found just enough macaroni pasta to whip up a leftover chili mac on the fly.

How to Cook Leftover Chili Mac on the Stove

woman adds leftover chili to macaroni in white pot

I use a large skillet with high sides. I boil one cup of macaroni in just enough water to cover it. Once the pasta has cooked for seven-eight minutes until softened and most of the liquid has cooked down, I add three-four cups leftover chili. You can add a bit more or a bit less. Personally, I find three cups of leftover chili to one cup of macaroni pasta to be a great ratio for leftover chili mac.

three cups of leftover chili on top of macaroni in pot of leftover chili mac

Once I mix it all together, I allow it to simmer for a few minutes before adding in two cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Once the cheese melts down, I mix it all up, and this tasty meal is ready to serve!

leftover macaroni chili meal in white pot with lid on top

leftover chili mac on serving spoon above pan

If you like Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, give this easy and delicious recipe a try!

woman holds chili macaroni with leftover chili on silver spoon above white bowl

Easy Leftover Chili Mac

This easy leftover chili mac comes together so nicely. With just a small amount of macaroni and three cups of leftover chili, this dish is ready in a flash!

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Prep Time 3

Cook Time 15

Total Time 18

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 574 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups Water
1 cup Elbow macaroni
3 cups Chili leftover
2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

In a large skillet with high sides, boil water on high heat.
Add one cup of elbow macaroni and cook on medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Water should be greatly reduced. (Do NOT drain.)
Stir in three cups of leftover chili.
Allow to simmer on stove on medium low heat.
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese.
Serve warm with a side salad or garlic bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 574kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 28gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 2192mgPotassium: 2388mgFiber: 42gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 35452IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 664mgIron: 21mg

Keyword chili mac goulash, leftover chili mac

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