Chili Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon

A comforting and cheesy dish that combines homemade or canned chili with creamy mac and cheese, topped with crispy bacon for added flavor and texture. Perfect for a cozy night in!

Prep Time

15 minutes

Total Time

45 minutes

Calories

985 kcal

Difficulty

Easy

Equipment

4 items

Cost

£3.33/serving

Season:

Meal Type:

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

1poundElbow Macaroni

£0.90

8slicesBacon

£2.50

4tablespoonsButter

£0.50

4tablespoonsAll-Purpose Flour

£0.10

3cupsMilk

£1.00

3cupsSharp Cheddar Cheese(Shredded)

£3.50

1cupMonterey Jack Cheese(Shredded)

£1.75

1teaspoonSalt

£0.01

0.5teaspoonBlack Pepper

£0.05

2cupsChili(Homemade or canned, heated)

£3.00

Optional Toppings(Sour cream, green onions, shredded cheese)

Total Cost

£13.31

£3.33 per serving

Instructions

1.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2.
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
3.
While the pasta is cooking, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Crumble or chop into small pieces. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet, discard the rest.
4.
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
5.
Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
6.
Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
7.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
8.
Pour half of the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the chili, then the remaining mac and cheese and chili.
9.
Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top.
10.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
11.
Let stand for a few minutes before serving. Top with optional toppings, such as sour cream and green onions.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (560g)

985 kcal / 4121 kJ

Carbs

74g

28% of RDA

Fat

56g

80% of RDA

Protein

48g

96% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

5 g

17% of RDA

Sugar

15 g

17% of RDA

Sodium

1450 mg

63% of RDA

Saturated Fat

35 g

175% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a spicier chili mac, use a chili with a kick or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.

You can use different types of cheese, such as Gruyere or Pepper Jack, for a different flavor.

For a creamier mac and cheese, use heavy cream instead of milk.

If using canned chili, drain off any excess liquid before adding it to the dish.

Cooking Equipment

Large pot

Skillet

9x13 inch baking dish

Oven

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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