Back with more chili. Hope you’re not sick of it yet.
Actually, scratch that.
I do hope you’re sick of it. Because this is the perfect recipe to change up your leftovers. It was completely spontaneous and happened at nearly 8 o’clock at night.
For some reason, this tasted so good to me that I ended up eating a bowl for breakfast the next day. I love me some chili, but the thought of one more steaming bowl this week had my appetite flying out the window. This was perfectly comforting and a great way to use up what I didn’t freeze. And I didn’t know if it was possible, but all of that meat got even more tender after baking.
Okay. No more chili.
Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pasta Bake
serves 4-6
1 1/2 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow noodles
3/4 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
2 1/2 – 3 cups of leftover chili
1 batch of your favorite cornbread
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Boil water and prepare pasta according to directions, shaving 1-2 minutes off the cooking time since the noodles are going into the oven. While the pasta is boiling, mix up a batch of your favorite cornbread and grate cheese. Drain pasta.
Spray an 8×8 baking dish with non-stick spray. Add pasta to the bottom of the dish, then layer on the cheese and chili. Top with your cornbread batter, spreading gently with a spoon. Don’t worry if it doesn’t reach the edges.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until cornbread is golden on top and cooked underneath. I used a spoon to lift up the cornbread to make sure it was cooked. Serve immediately. Leftovers are delicious for 3-4 days.
Note: depending on what cornbread mixture you use, your cooking time may differ. Just make sure to check it after 30 minutes or so. The cooking time will increase for the bread since it has “wet” layers underneath.
I love you, carbs.
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You baked cornbread over chili, topped with pasta?????????? AHHHHHhhhloveyou.
Seconded!!
THIRDED!
Can you fourth something?
And fifth it?! A food blogger who LOVES carbs, this has made me so happy!
oh man, my husband would love this!
Yum! That sounds so good. I love chili but don’t think I’ve ever had it with pasta. Sounds like my kind of deal.
you’ve never had chili mac… or chili speghetti? I think I will cry for you……
Two words. Get. Out. I am so going to try this. Thank you!!! Perfect for fall . . . although we’re still going to have a high of 90 next week. Oh, well.
oh my gosh- comfort food to the max! Such a creative lady
You’re ridiculous. And I love you.
I feel like I just watched the most mind-blowing magic show.
That sounds amazing!!
This is fabulous!
I thought that was a layer of hummus on top! which would have also been delicious? I do love cornbread though.
Wow, this sounds good. It’s like chili-mac topped with corn bread, two of the best things in the world!
Wow! Way to combine all the chili fixins into one fabulous dish. Super carb love!
HOLY MOLY!
this looks amazing!!!!!!!!
What a creative way to use up leftover chili. I love it!
Chili-Cheese-Carb Heaven. My favorite kind of meal. Looks delicious and perfect for a cool fall night!
Looks delicious Jessica! I might actually try this now that you give me an idea for leftovers. The hubby hates leftovers but he might actually eat them if they were changed up a bit like this. Thank you!
This looks so yummy. I almost always have my chili over pasta, even the first night I make it! I never thought to put it into casserole form though.
This is brilliant. I never know what to do with leftover chili other than just eat it, which I’m really not interested in doing after a day or two. And if it’s a bit spicy, the macaroni will help cut the heat for my son. I can’t wait to try this.
Looks so good!
I love leftover ideas – this is great!!
Seems so easy…even I could do it!
This looks fantastic, and better yet easy! My kids are gonna love this – if we happen to ever manage leftovers;)
Oh my gosh, this looks delicious!
Yummm sounds like the perfect chilly weather comfort food!!
This is the perfect way to use up leftover chilli and anything that gets more carbs in my tummy can only be a good thing.
Where I work we have random potluck lunches and this is literally screaming to be made for that. Oh. My. Yummy. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re a die-hard if you even had it for breakfast!
leftover chili + pasta = my childhood and my mother’s way to try to stretch a dollar and stretch the leftovers!
what a yummy way to recycle left overs!
Well this looks insanely good – love it! Thanks for sharing!
easy and delicious. and seriously…. who could ever tire of chili makeovers (can you say CHEESE?)
Seriously, this sounds so good. Always looking for ways to use my leftover chili. I’m glad I’m not along eating chili for breakfast!
The best way to use up leftovers and eat a fancy meal too!
This is taking corn and pasta to a whole new level, all I can say is WOW!!! And definitely the most genius way to use leftovers I have ever seen! Your husband is really lucky to have all this great meals!
This baked pasta seems just amazing and delicious, I’m sure that it would be perfect for me
I bet your husband loves you sooooo much!
Oh. My. Lands.
Genius. This is everything I love in one dish. I can’t wait for the next time I have leftover chili so I can make it.
GENIUS!
Oh man – I LOVE chili mac. Now you went a topped it with the always delicious cornbread?? You are my favorite. However my waistline will not be happy with this recipe…oh well!
:O it looks delicious and I will SURE try it, I bet it is worth the calories
Oh man, this is amazing! A combo of my favorite foods! Carbs upon cheese upon carbs with some chili thrown in for flavor. How many spin classes would it take to burn off a helping or two?
I’m making a big batch of chilli just so that I can have leftovers for this!
The last time we had chili my husband said he thought if I topped my mac n’ cheese with it, that it would be the ultimate… now you’ve kinda beaten me too it… but took it to antoher level by adding corn bread! Looks and sounds fanfreakingtastic!
I want this right now, sounds so delicious!
Okay – that was SO clever! You are always so good about using your leftovers!
Get in me carbs! can i also just say what i love about your website is the fact that you dont a) take pictures of cookies wrapped in twine b) have photos where you’ve forced children to hold handfuls of berries in a whimsical manner or c) shown milk in jars and old timey bottles with red and white paper straws hanging out of them. Its killing me on all the other blogs yet you take such beautiful pictures of the fooooood. which is all i care about really.
You mean grate cheese (he He). Thank you this looks great!!
I need to make chi8li and ensure leftovers so I can have this!
Uh, I’m SO bookmarking this. The boy is going to flip when I make this. I’m so excited!
…. genius…. thats all.
I never get sick of chili either I happen to have leftover chili, pepper jack cheese, & pasta in the house. ‘;m thinking this is what’s for dinner tonight
Thank you for the idea.
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