Chili mac

Last updated

Chili mac
Chili mac.jpg
A plate of chili mac prepared with macaroni noodles, chili, cheese, onion and green onion
CourseMain dish
Place of originUnited States
Region or state Midwestern United States
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredients Macaroni, chili con carne
VariationsCheese
Similar dishes American chop suey, Johnny Marzetti, American goulash, Cincinnati chili, Macaroni and cheese, Macaroni casserole

Chili mac is a dish prepared using chili con carne and macaroni as primary ingredients, which is often topped or intermingled with cheese. [1] [2] [3] [4] Some versions are made using prepared or homemade macaroni and cheese. [5] [6] It is a common dish in the cuisine of the Midwestern United States, and is also popular in other areas of the United States. [1]

Contents

Several variations of the dish exist, and prepared canned and boxed versions also exist. It can be a relatively inexpensive dish to prepare, [7] and has been described as a comfort food. [8] [9] Similar dishes include Spaghetti Red, a chili-topped spaghetti popular around Joplin, Missouri, [10] and Cincinnati chili.

Preparation

Several preparation methods exist. Basic versions may be prepared using chopped meat, tomato, spices, and elbow macaroni. [7] Another basic preparation method incorporates boxed, prepared macaroni and cheese and canned chili. Some recipes incorporate all of the ingredients together, while others are prepared with the ingredients separately layered. [1] [11] Those that use cheese may use grated cheese atop the dish, [12] while others mix the cheese throughout the dish. Sometimes, onions or beans are added. [1] Some diners in St. Louis, Missouri, serve a version called "chili mac a la mode", in which the dish is served topped with fried eggs. [4] [1]

The dish may be prepared on a range top in a skillet, in a slow cooker, [13] or baked as a casserole. [6] Vegetarian and vegan versions of the dish are sometimes prepared. [13] [14] [15]

Versions

Chili mac has been a staple dish at American military dining facilities for years. [16] It was introduced to the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) field ration menu in 1995 and is one of only three of the twelve MRE meals offered in 1995 that has remained on the MRE menu to date. [17] A variation called "taco chili mac" has been consumed by NASA astronauts in space. [18] It is processed by NASA as a freeze-dried product. [18]

Hamburger Helper sells a boxed version named "Chili Macaroni". [19]

Similar dishes

Fred and Red's Spaghetti Red dish SpaghettiRed.jpg
Fred and Red's Spaghetti Red dish

Spaghetti red is a chili-topped spaghetti popular around Joplin, Missouri, and a signature dish at Fred and Red's. [10]

Cincinnati chili is a spiced meat sauce used to top spaghetti which is often referred to as chili spaghetti.

See also

Related Research Articles

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Chili oil is a condiment made from vegetable oil that has been infused with chili peppers. Different types of oil and hot peppers are used, and other components may also be included. It is commonly used in Chinese cuisine, Southeast Asian cuisine, Italy, and elsewhere. It is particularly popular in Chinese cuisine, especially western Chinese cuisines such as Sichuan cuisine, Hunan cuisine, Guizhou cuisine, and Shaanxi cuisine where it is used as an ingredient in cooked dishes as well as a condiment. It is sometimes used as a dip for meat and dim sum. It is also employed in the Korean Chinese noodle soup dish jjamppong. A closely related condiment in Chinese cuisine is chili crisp, which contains edible chunks of food and chilis in oil.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheese sauce</span> Sauce made with cheese

Cheese sauce is a sauce made with cheese or processed cheese as a primary ingredient. Sometimes dried cheese or cheese powder is used. Several varieties exist and it has many various culinary uses. Mass-produced commercial cheese sauces are also made by various companies, in both liquid and dry forms. These prepared sauces are used by consumers and restaurants, and commercial formulations are used in the production of various prepared foods, such as macaroni and cheese mixes and frozen meals.

References

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