As I was browsing different topics on my favorite new geeky food blog whatscookingamerica.net, I instinctively had to click on the one that said chili and cinnamon rolls as soon as I saw it. Even before I read the article, memories of my favorite childhood school hot lunch came flooding back. I could practically taste the warm hot cinnamon roll that took up a precious square of those colorful, marbled food trays we had in the 90’s. 

The article talked about this funny combination of foods--eating a cinnamon roll right alongside a bowl of chili. It is the perfect combination of savory and sweet and this meal is especially popular in the midwest. In fact, they said a lot of Iowans feel like it is officially Fall when they smell a bubbly pot of chili on the stove, warm cinnamon rolls baking in the oven and have football playing on the tv.

There is quite a debate out there as to what is the best way to eat this meal. Some, like me, just save the cinnamon roll for the very end of the meal, while others tend to dip the cinnamon roll as they eat and enjoy them both at the same time. Some rebellious ones even set the cinnamon roll at the bottom of the bowl and pour the chili right over the top. Midwestern states weren’t the only ones on the list though of states that love this meal. 

Idaho and Washington were also on the list of states that have that on their school cafeteria menu rotation. Chili and cinnamon roll day is apparently the most popular day of the year where parents come to eat with their children in the state of Iowa and I can see why. If this meal were on my kid’s school lunch menu, that would be the day I would come and visit too :) It is nostalgic and delicious at the same time. 

I had to ask my siblings and parents if they also agreed that this was the best meal at school in southern Idaho. I got a resounding YES from everyone who could remember far back enough to remember school lunch. My older sister said that when she was in elementary school my parents would give them two days a month they could choose to do hot lunch and she would always save one of her days for chili and cinnamon roll day. She would look so forward to it all month! My mom is a teacher in the same school district we grew up in and she said they still serve this meal at most nighttime school functions like carnivals and fundraisers and it’s always a big hit.

My kids don’t eat hot lunch at school and my husband (who grew up in Utah where they didn’t serve this meal when he was a kid) haven’t had this meal before so I had to share this joy with them last night. I’ll admit it was canned chili though ha. I poured my love and time into perfect homemade cinnamon rolls so canned chili was just the only way this was going to happen :)

It was a hit! The kids loved it and it was such a fun way to bring to life wonderful childhood memories from my youth to my family today. 

I also have to note that I made my typical Pioneer Woman cinnamon roll dough, but this time instead of her maple frosting, I decided to go with a super highly rated cinnamon roll icing that has 2 ounces of cream cheese in it. Just enough to give it that distinct bit of tang, while not being too overpowering. I highly recommend this icing to pair with your favorite cinnamon roll dough.

Have you had cinnamon rolls with chili before? Or do you think it is a weird combination? What is your favorite meal from school from your childhood? That could also be a meal you brought from home if you didn’t eat from the cafeteria. Please share your thoughts in the comments below. 

The Perfect Cinnamon Roll Icing 2 ounces cream cheese, softened 7 tablespoons butter, softened 2 tablespoons milk 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted ¼ teaspoon salt Directions: Beat together the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy. Mix in the vanilla and milk, then gradually mix in the confectioners’ sugar and salt until smooth and fluffy. *Author’s note: If your cream cheese and butter are cold, it will not cream well. Microwave each separately for about 10 seconds and they will be soft enough to work with. (Insert the_best_cinnamon_roll_icing.dvo recipe)