A Can Of This Is All You Need To Turn Mac And Cheese Into A Nostalgic, Comforting Dish

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Macaroni and cheese comes in many varieties. Whether you grab a microwaveable cup for on-the-go, toss a boxed version on the stove for a quick dinner, or spend a chilly afternoon making your favorite mac and cheese recipe from scratch, it's always a meal to enjoy. However, all it takes is one canned ingredient to turn that typical mac and cheese into a beefy, nostalgic dinner: chili.

Any kind of canned chili works wonders (though we ranked Clover Valley our favorite) to build flavor in a way that's reminiscent of a can of Chef Boyardee Chili Mac from the '90s. You can buy it with or without beans, hot or mild, whatever you want, then just fold it into the completed mac and cheese and dinner is ready. While a basic canned chili is all you need to create this meal, it's easy to elevate further using a few extra ingredients and techniques.  

Rather than folding in the chili, add the cooked mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish in an even layer, then spread the chili on top. Add some shredded cheese over the chili, and bake until the cheese is bubbly and melted to create a delicious mac and chili baked casserole. For a more Southwest-inspired take, purchase a bag of frozen peppers and onions, fold those into the macaroni and cheese along with the chili, and bake until everything is hot. For extra flavor, fold in a packet of taco seasoning.

These tricks work with any kind of mac and cheese, but if you're whipping up the boxed kind in a hurry and looking for an easy hack to upgrade it, it's better to saute the peppers and onions in a separate pan while the boxed mac and cheese cooks. Then fold in the veggies and chili, and there's no need to finish it off in the oven. No matter the method, the beefy, cheesy pasta should almost certainly remind you of your childhood.