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Home > Recipes > Main Dishes

Gluten-Free Chili Mac

Published: February 2, 2023 • Updated: Mar 19, 2023 • This post may contain affiliate links.

This cozy one-pan dinner takes your favorite chili leftovers and combines it with tender elbow macaroni and melty cheese. This Chili Mac is ready in less than 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights!

Easy Chili Mac (made with leftover chili) is garnished with shredded Colby jack cheese and green onions and ready to be served for lunch or dinner.
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Toppings
  • Substitutions
  • Tips & tricks
  • Recommended tools
  • Storing and reheating
  • More easy meals
  • Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Whenever I make chili, I always make a huge pot. It not only freezes well for quick and easy weeknight dinners, but the leftovers are fantastic.

I don't know about you, but the leftovers are my favorite part- especially when I can turn them into Chili Mac. Cozy chili plus yummy macaroni and cheese?! It's a whole new meal with hardly any work!

These two comfort foods are combined together in one pan to create the most delicious and satisfying dinner you'll ever have-ever. This is going to be your new go-to recipe whenever you have leftover chili.

Ingredients

Besides leftover chili, all you'll need for this recipe is two ingredients- plus any optional toppings! Here's what you'll need:

  • Gluten-free elbow macaroni
  • Leftover chili
  • Shredded cheese
  • Toppings, such as sour cream and green onions
Ingredients needed for this recipe: leftover chili, shredded Colby jack cheese, large elbow macaroni, sliced green onions.

Step-by-step instructions

Begin this recipe by cooking the elbow macaroni according to the package directions. Drain the pasta in a colander.

In a small pan or dutch oven, combine the leftover chili with the cooked noodles. Heat over medium heat until it's hot.

Stir in the shredded cheese until it melts. Serve with extra shredded cheese or toppings.

Leftover con carne heated up in a dutch oven and mixed with cooked elbow pasta noodles.

Toppings

Just when you think this recipe can't get any better- you can add even more delicious flavors. I love dressing up a huge bowl of chili macaroni with these tasty combinations!

  • Sliced green onions
  • Sour cream
  • Sliced black olives
  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Extra shredded cheese

My favorite go-to toppings are always shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions. It's like Chili Mac Supreme!

Substitutions

If you don't have any leftover chili, you can check out my Hearty Beef Chili recipe. It makes a lot, but the recipe can easily be scaled down.

My homemade chili recipe loaded with ground hamburger meat, three types of beans (light and dark kidney beans and black beans), crushed tomatoes, and our secret ingredient- jalapeños!

If you don't want to make chili at all, you can use one 15-ounce can of chili (the brand and style is up to you!).

Tips & tricks

Freshly shred your cheese. Freshly grated cheese melts better and tastes fresher. Sometimes it's cheaper too!

Use any type of cheese that you want! My favorite go-to cheese is always colby jack. Switch it up and use shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or even pepper jack!

Easily scale the recipe up or down. The macaroni to chili ratio is 1:2 so it can easily be scaled up or down. Make Chili Mac for one or make it for the whole family!

Recommended tools

  • Rotary Cheese Grater. Quickly and easily shred fresh cheese with a rotary cheese grater. No more sliced knuckles!
  • Dutch Oven. This dutch oven is the perfect size for just about any recipe. I use it for so many things like Garlic Butter Green Beans and Homemade Spaghetti Sauce. Dutch ovens really can be used for just about everything!
  • Pasta Strainer. Easily strain your elbow macaroni in a large 5-quart colander.
Con carne pasta with shredded cheese and green onions served in a bowl for lunch or dinner.

Storing and reheating

Store leftover Chili Mac in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave using a microwave safe container.

More easy meals

  • French Onion Beef Casserole
  • Ground Beef Taco Meat
  • Open-Faced Hot Beef Sandwiches
  • Maid Rites

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Recipe

Cheesy chili mac with leftover chili makes a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
Chili Mac
This cozy one-pan dinner takes your favorite chili leftovers and combines it with tender elbow macaroni and melty cheese. This Chili Mac is ready in less than 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 259 kcal

Equipment

  • dutch oven
  • colander
  • rotary cheese grater

Ingredients
  

  • 1 c gluten free elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 2 c leftover chili
  • ¼ c shredded cheese or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain.
  • In a small pan, combine leftover chili with cooked pasta. Heat over medium heat until hot.
  • Stir in shredded cheese until melted. Serve with additional shredded cheese, green onions, or sour cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 14gFat: 8g
Nutritional Disclaimer

The nutritional information provided is only an estimate. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

Keyword chili with noodles, uses for leftover chili
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Did you enjoy Chili Mac with leftover chili? Be sure to leave a comment and a rating below!

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Hi, I'm Ashleigh and I'm passionate about creating healthy, flavorful dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

As a recipe developer, food blogger, and avid cook, my goal is to inspire you to cook wholesome meals that are both simple and vibrant. Our recipes are designed to be accessible to all levels of home cooks and are so delicious that you'll want to make them again and again.

As an Iowa native, I love to incorporate local, in-season ingredients into my gluten-free recipes. So come join me on a culinary journey that celebrates the joys of food and a healthier lifestyle!

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