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Course | Main dish |
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Place of origin | United States |
Region or state | Midwestern United States |
Serving temperature | Hot |
Main ingredients | Macaroni, chili con carne |
Variations | Cheese |
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]
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.
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]
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]
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.