3-Layer Chili Mac and Cheese
Updated Jul. 29th, 2024
Looking for a meal that will satisfy the kids and keep the adults on track with their health goals? This healthier version of the store-bought Mac and Cheese is just what you need. Whip up a batch of this two-pot wonder for dinner, take it for lunch or bring as a plus one to a potluck. Either way, whoever you serve it too will be dying to know your delicious, revolutionary recipe!
- Corn Free
- Egg Free
- Sugar Free
- Vegetarian
Ingredients:
| chili: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon olive oil | 1 cup spicy pasta sauce | pinch ground cinnamon |
| 1/2 medium onion, chopped | 1 cup cooked kidney beans | fresh ground pepper and sea salt, to taste |
| 2 garlic cloves, minced | 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin |
| macaroni and cheese: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 150 grams macaroni | 2 teaspoons dry mustard | ¼ teaspoon paprika |
| ¼ teaspoon sea salt | 1 cup milk | 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar, divided |
| 1 tablespoon olive oil | ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced | salt and pepper to taste |
| 1 tablespoon brown rice flour | 1 bay leaf |
| topping: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon olive oil | ¼ teaspoon paprika | |
| ½ cup gluten-free bread crumbs | ¼ teaspoon sea salt |
Directions
Set your oven to 350F
Chili:
- Sauté your garlic and onion in a large pan over medium heat with your olive oil. After roughly five minutes, add in your remaining ingredients and bring to a light boil. Lower your heat and continue simmering together for another 10 minutes. Afterwards, place the contents of the pan into the bottom of your casserole dish!
Macaroni:
- Cook your pasta according to the package directions. Drain, and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, bring your olive oil, rice flour and dry mustard together. Whisk until well incorporated. Next, add in your milk, onion, bay leave and paprika. With the lid on, simmer over low heat for ten minutes. Next, add in your cheese, cooking on low until melted. Remove your bay leaf, and then add in your macaroni, stir until combined.
- Place pasta on top of your chili mix in your casserole dish.
Topping
- Combine all ingredients into a bowl, and mix until everything is well incorporated. Crumble the toppings evenly over the top of your pasta.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Serve hot!
Make It This Way
Make this recipe dairy-free by using non-dairy milk, such as almond, hemp or rice milk and a non-dairy cheese.
Try This
Kids will love the taste of this macaroni and cheese so much that they’ll forget it isn’t the store bought kind – serve it to them and see if they notice the difference!
Fine way of describing, and pleasant piece of recipe writing.
Hello Rose,
Thank you and glad you're enjoying the recipes, they are quite nutritious & delicious!
This sounds so delicious! We love mac & cheese, but the addition of chilli will make it heartier for sure. Definitely serving this during the winter months!
Hello Steve,
It is delicious! Definitely a hearty meal and it's a great one for meal prepping.
Enjoy!
I love mac and cheese and adding chilli to it is such a great idea and way to add more nutrients into this dish. This is also much healthier than the traditional mac and cheese and especially the one form the box so it is a great alternative to still have that staple while adding more protein and nutrients to it. It also adds the extra value of making it from scratch to offer the satisfaction of having a homecooked meal. Such a great idea all around! Thanks for sharing a new and healthier take on such a wonderful classic.
Hello Olivia,
Indeed, Mac & Cheese is a classic and this recipe turns it into a whole meal that's easy to make for meal prep or for the whole family!
Mac and cheese is a great crowd pleaser and a favourite for many, including myself. Adding chili to it is so smart to get in more health benefits, calories, and nutrients, and to make it more of a complete meal, especially great to sneak in more nutrients and vitamins into a fun meal for kids or picky eaters. Great to make a bunch and meal prep too for quick lunches or sides to have at dinner.
Hello,
These 2 classics merging together makes for a great comfort meal on a cold day or a super bowl party favourite. It can also be made meatless by swapping the meat for lentils!
Enjoy
I am digging the layered recipes, NN! It just hit me that while I typically have "parts" or "mini sides" built into my meals, I have never really went beyond 2 layers. There is so much room to build on all of the recipes that I make on the regular through layering! This recipe that you provide is particularly useul for me because I already have a tofu and sweet potato mac and cheese that I love. How easy would it be to add a tetural topping? And, I am a big fan of beans (they are the center of or side to almost every meal I serve). So, I am a fan of having a chili bean-boosted filling to my mac. Thank you for the great idea, NN! :D