Slow Cooker Chili Mac Recipe

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This Slow Cooker Chili Mac is a hearty, filling and wholesome meal that has the perfect savory, salty and spicy flavors. Whether you’re looking for a comfort food to dig into or just a low effort meal that the entire family can enjoy, this is one recipe you can turn to.

Contents

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Convenient One-Pot Meal: Easy Slow Cooker Chili Mac combines chili and macaroni for a flavorful, fuss-free dish.
Comforting & Rich: Enjoy the comforting blend of chili flavors with creamy macaroni in every bite.
Customizable & Crowd-Pleasing: Adjust spices and add toppings to suit varied preferences, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser.

Recipe Ingredients

Lean Ground Beef: Provides a rich and savory base for the chili, and the lean cut keeps the dish from becoming too heavy.
Frozen Peppers and Onions: Add a sweet and slight crunch to the slow cooker chili mac, plus they’re a convenient way to add veggies to the dish.
Chili Seasoning: Blend of spices is key in creating the signature warm and smoky flavor of slow cooker chili mac.
Garlic (minced): Gives a slight pungent kick that balances out the sweetness of the peppers and onions.
Diced Green Chiles: Add a mild heat and a pop of bright, tangy flavor to the slow cooker chili mac.
Tomatoes with Green Chiles: Provide a flavorful liquid base for the slow cooker chili mac and contribute a nice balance of acidity and sweetness.
Red Kidney Beans (undrained): Add heartiness and texture to the chili, and the liquid they’re canned in enhances the overall flavor.
Black Beans (Rinsed And Drained): Add to the heartiness of the chili, and their earthy flavor complements the ground beef well.
Tomato Paste: Helps thicken the chili and deepens the tomato flavor.
Sugar: Balances out the acidity of the tomatoes and chiles for a well-rounded flavor.
Water or Beef Broth: Is used to adjust the consistency of the chili and, if using broth, can add more savory depth.
Macaroni Noodles: Makes this dish extra filling and soaks up all the wonderful flavors of the slow cooker chili mac.
Cheddar Cheese (Shredded And Divided): Adds creaminess and a bit of sharpness to the slow cooker chili mac, making it even more comforting and delicious.
Scallions (For Topping): Give a fresh, crunchy contrast to the hearty slow cooker chili mac and add a pop of color for presentation.

How To Make Slow Cooker Chili Mac?

Step One: In a medium skillet or Dutch oven, over medium high heat, brown and drain your ground beef. To your slow cooker add the ground beef, onion and bell peppers, garlic, green chilies, tomatoes, tomato paste, red kidney beans, black beans, sugar and beef broth.

Step Two: Sprinkle on your chili seasoning. Stir to combine.

Step Three: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Step Four: 20 minutes before serving add the elbow macaroni. 5 minutes before serving stir in half of the shredded cheese.

Step Five: Top with the remaining cheese. Cover and let the cheese melt.

Step Six: Serve your chili mac and cheese in bowl with your favorite side salad.

Tips For Making The Best Chili Mac And Cheese

Cheese Selection: Explore a variety of shredded cheeses such as Monterey Jack and sharp Cheddar to elevate the flavor profile. Keep in mind that each cheese may impart unique textures and tastes to the dish.

Substitutions

Protein Swap: You can use ground turkey instead of ground beef, noting that ground turkey cooks faster.
Broth Swap: Swap beef broth with chicken broth for a different savory profile.
Tomato Paste Substitution: If you’re out of tomato paste, combine tomato sauce with diced or crushed tomatoes as a suitable replacement.
Bean Options: Consider using pinto beans or chili beans as alternatives to kidney beans for added variety.

Variations

Spice Enhancement: Add chili powder and tomato sauce for extra depth of flavor – chili powder provides heat while tomato sauce adds sweetness.
Additional Ingredients: Experiment with ground cumin, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, various vegetables, and garnishes like green onions for added flavor.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Storage: Allow the slow cooker chili mac to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
Reheating: To reheat, scoop out the desired portion into a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, reheat chili macaroni on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until thoroughly warmed. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to maintain desired consistency. Adjust seasoning as necessary before serving.

What To Serve With Chili Mac And Cheese?

Garlic Breadsticks: Whip up some soft garlic-infused breadsticks for a perfect carb companion.
Avocado Salad: A refreshing avocado salad with lime dressing adds a zesty contrast to the best chili mac recipe.
Cornbread: Serve golden cornbread for a delightful blend of sweetness and savory.
Herb Infused Sour Cream: Elevate your dining with a herb-infused sour cream dip alongside chili mac for added richness and herbaceous goodness.

FAQ’S

Can I Prep the Recipe in Advance?

You can! You can cook the ground beef up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to put the slow cooker chili mac and cheese recipe together. Just remember to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Angela Milnes

This Slow Cooker Chili Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food mashup! With tender pasta, savory chili, and loads of cheesy goodness, this dish brings all the flavors of a hearty chili and classic mac and cheese together in one easy meal.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 10

Course American Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 342 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound Lean Ground Beef
1 Cup Peppers
1 = Cup Onions
1 tbsp Chili Seasoning
3 cloves Garlic minced
1 Can Diced Green Chiles 10 Ounce
1 Can Tomatoes With Green Chiles 10 Ounce
1 Red Kidney Beans, undrained 15 Ounce
1 Black Beans, rinsed and drained 15 Ounce
1 Tomato Paste 6 Ounce
1 tablespoon Sugar
2 cups Beef Broth
8 ounce Macaroni Noodles
2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded, divided
1 Tbsp Scallions

Instructions

In a medium skillet or Dutch oven, over medium high heat, brown and drain your ground beef.
To your slow cooker add the ground beef, onion and bell peppers, garlic, green chilies, tomatoes, tomato paste, red kidney beans, black beans, sugar and beef broth. Sprinkle on your chili seasoning. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. 20 minutes before serving add the elbow macaroni. 5 minutes before serving stir in half of the shredded cheese.
Top with the remaining cheese. Cover and let the cheese melt. Top with your favorite toppings, Serve and Enjoy Slow Cooker Chili Mac!

Notes

Cheese Selection: Explore a variety of shredded cheeses such as Monterey Jack and sharp Cheddar to elevate the flavor profile. Keep in mind that each cheese may impart unique textures and tastes to the dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 342kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 25gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 461mgPotassium: 597mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 913IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 257mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Chili Mac and cheese, chili mac recipe, slow cooker chili mac

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