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Ultimate Comfort: Easy Chili Mashed Potato Bake Recipe

Welcome to a culinary creation that promises warmth, satisfaction, and pure comfort: the Chili Mashed Potato Bake! If you’re searching for a hearty, flavorful dish that comes together quickly and pleases everyone at the table, look no further. This ingenious recipe takes two beloved comfort foods – savory chili and creamy mashed potatoes – and combines them into one irresistible casserole. It’s a simple yet brilliant mashup that transforms humble ingredients into a spectacular meal, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a lively family gathering.

This recipe, crafted by the talented Julia Pacheco, is designed for ease without compromising on taste. With minimal prep time and a straightforward baking process, you can have a bubbling, cheesy, and delicious dinner on the table in under an hour. Imagine tender, fluffy mashed potatoes blanketing a rich, spicy chili base, all crowned with a golden layer of melted pepper jack cheese. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will undoubtedly become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire.

Beyond its deliciousness, this Chili Mashed Potato Bake is incredibly versatile. Whether you prefer a robust beef chili, a lighter chicken chili, or even a hearty vegetarian option, this recipe adapts beautifully. It’s an excellent way to use up leftover chili or to create a quick meal using canned varieties for ultimate convenience. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to create a dish that embodies everything wonderful about home cooking. And while you’re here, don’t forget to check out my new cookbook for more amazing recipes!

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Chili Mashed Potato Bake

By:
Julia Pacheco

This chili mashed potato bake layers hearty chili with creamy mashed potatoes for a comfort food mashup you’ll crave. It’s a quick and easy casserole that serves as a perfect family dinner, offering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.

Prep:

5 minutes

Cook:

30 minutes

Total:

35 minutes

Servings:

4
servings

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About This Comforting Casserole

The Chili Mashed Potato Bake is a modern take on classic comfort food, blending the robust flavors of chili with the creamy texture of mashed potatoes. It’s reminiscent of a Shepherd’s Pie but with a distinctly American twist, replacing the traditional ground meat and vegetable filling with a hearty chili base. This dish is not only incredibly satisfying but also incredibly adaptable, making it a perfect candidate for your weekly meal rotation. Its layered structure ensures that you get a balanced bite of spicy chili and smooth potatoes in every spoonful, all complemented by the gooey, melted cheese on top.

Whether you’re feeding a family on a busy weeknight or preparing a dish for a potluck, this bake is a winner. It comes together with minimal effort, especially when using pre-made or canned ingredients, yet delivers a homemade taste that belies its simplicity. The combination of warm chili and fluffy potatoes offers a deeply comforting experience, making it ideal for cooler evenings or when you just need a hearty, soul-satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful Chili Mashed Potato Bake. This recipe focuses on simplicity and convenience, utilizing readily available items that deliver maximum flavor.

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8 oz dry bag mashed potatoes
(Instant mashed potatoes are perfect for speed. For a richer taste, you can also use homemade mashed potatoes made with butter and milk.)
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2 1/4-3 cups water
(Adjust based on desired potato consistency; a creamier texture is easier to spread.)
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2 – 14 oz cans chicken chili
(Feel free to use your favorite canned chili, whether it’s beef, turkey, or even a vegetarian bean chili for a meat-free option. Homemade chili also works wonderfully!)
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½ cup pepper jack cheese
(Shredded cheddar, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend are great alternatives if you prefer a different flavor or milder heat.)

These core ingredients lay the foundation for a delicious and easy casserole. Remember, quality ingredients always make a difference, even for simple dishes!

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Instructions

Follow these simple steps to assemble and bake your delicious Chili Mashed Potato Bake:

Step 1: Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking and melting of the cheese.
Step 2: Prepare Mashed Potatoes. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the dry bag mashed potatoes with water. Add the water slowly, a little at a time, stirring well after each addition until the potatoes reach a creamy, spreadable consistency. You want them smooth enough to spread easily over the chili, but not overly watery. If using instant potatoes, follow the package directions for consistency, often adding a touch less liquid for a firmer mash suitable for topping. For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder or a tablespoon of butter to your mashed potatoes.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake. Lightly spray a casserole dish (approximately 9×13 inches or similar) with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pour both cans of chili into the prepared dish and spread them out evenly across the bottom. Next, carefully spoon the prepared mashed potatoes over the chili layer, gently spreading them to form an even topping. Finally, generously sprinkle the ½ cup of pepper jack cheese over the mashed potato layer. Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, and the chili is heated through.

Once baked, allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes for easier, cleaner serving.

Video Tutorial

Watch Julia Pacheco demonstrate how to prepare this delicious Chili Mashed Potato Bake and get more inspiration for budget-friendly meals!

Tips for a Perfect Chili Mashed Potato Bake

Achieving the perfect Chili Mashed Potato Bake is easy with a few simple tips:

Mashed Potato Consistency: For easy spreading, your mashed potatoes should be smooth and not too stiff. If they are too thick, add a tablespoon of water or milk at a time until they reach the desired consistency.
Even Layers: Spread both the chili and mashed potatoes evenly in the casserole dish. This ensures every serving gets a balanced mix of flavors.
Cheese Choice: While pepper jack adds a nice kick, don’t hesitate to use your favorite melting cheese. Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of Mexican cheeses are all excellent choices.
Don’t Overbake: The goal is to heat the chili through and melt the cheese until it’s bubbly and golden. Overbaking can dry out the potatoes.

Variations to Try

This recipe is highly adaptable. Here are a few ideas to customize your Chili Mashed Potato Bake:

Meat Variations: Instead of chicken chili, use beef chili, turkey chili, or even a spicy vegetarian chili for a meatless option. You can also brown ground beef or turkey with seasonings and make your own quick chili base.
Add Vegetables: Stir in a can of drained corn, black beans, or diced bell peppers into your chili layer for added nutrition and texture.
Spice it Up (or Down): If you like more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to your chili. For a milder version, opt for a mild chili and a less spicy cheese like cheddar.
Homemade Mashed Potatoes: For an extra special touch, make your mashed potatoes from scratch. Use russet or Yukon gold potatoes, butter, milk, and your favorite seasonings for ultimate creaminess.
Toppings Galore: Before serving, consider adding fresh toppings like chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, or even some crushed corn chips for crunch.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few complementary sides:

A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
Warm cornbread or crusty bread for dipping into any leftover chili goodness.
Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans for a balanced meal.
A side of pickled jalapeños for those who crave extra heat.

Whether it’s a casual family dinner, a game-day feast, or a comforting potluck contribution, the Chili Mashed Potato Bake is sure to impress and satisfy.

Nutrition Information

Below is the estimated nutritional breakdown per serving for this Chili Mashed Potato Bake. Please remember that these values are automatically calculated and serve as an approximation, as actual nutritional content can vary based on specific brands and exact quantities of ingredients used.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Conclusion

This Chili Mashed Potato Bake is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to experience ultimate comfort and ease in your kitchen. Julia Pacheco has provided a brilliant framework for a dish that is both satisfyingly rich and delightfully simple. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this casserole offers a foolproof path to a delicious meal. Give it a try, experiment with your favorite chili and cheese, and revel in the comforting flavors. We’d love to hear how your bake turned out!