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 acomfort food.[8][9] Similar dishes includespaghetti red, a chili-topped spaghetti popular around Joplin, Missouri,[10] andCincinnati 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] Somediners 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 aslow cooker,[13] or baked as acasserole.[6] Vegetarian and vegan versions of the dish are sometimes prepared.[13][14][15]
Chili mac has been astaple dish at American military dining facilities for years.[16] It was introduced to theMeal, 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 byNASA astronauts in space.[18] It is processed by NASA as afreeze-dried product.[18]
^Campbell, Karly (November 14, 2014)."How To Make Chili Mac".The Huffington Post.Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. RetrievedSeptember 9, 2015.
