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Slow Cooker Chili Mac

March 28, 2019 by Sandy 3 Comments

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Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Slow Cooker Chili Mac is a dump and start crock pot recipe. Delicious chili with some pasta added at the end makes this a hearty, economical one-pot slow cooker meal. Enjoy this crock pot chili mac recipe on Game Day, or any time you want a bowl of comfort food.

Chili Mac in a brown bowl topped with cheese and sour cream in front of a slow cooker

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

It’s chili. It’s macaroni. Together it becomes Chili Mac! We love this flavorful comfort food, with the hint of spice and a rich, yummy sauce.

This is a very easy recipe to make. You don’t even have to cook the meat first, you can just put it in the crock and make your Slow Cooker Chili Mac!

First of all, you may ask why don’t you need to cook the ground beef or turkey first. The meat will cook in the slow cooker with the other ingredients, and as long as you use extra lean meat, there is no extra fat to drain.

Of course, you do get bonus flavor by browning the meat in a skillet with the onion and garlic & spices. However, if you want to get dinner in the crock and get going, don’t bother to brown it first.

Top view of Chili Mac and wooden mixing spoon in a slow cooker

I have often made this Slow Cooker Chili Mac recipe with ground turkey, and it is still just as delicious. You can use chicken broth instead of beef when you use ground turkey, or still use the beef broth for its rich flavor.

Part of the fun with this crock pot chili mac recipe is adding all of the yummy toppings to your serving! The possibilities are many! I have found that my favorite combo is cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.

Keeping it simple and still so delicious!

Chili Mac topped with cheese and sour cream in a brown bowl

The pasta will cook in the sauce of the chili. Adding the pasta about 20 minutes before serving will ensure a nice al dente texture. Different pastas may vary.

If you don’t want to add the pasta, you don’t have to. Just reduce the beef broth by about 1 cup. You can always add more at the end if it is too thick.

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5 from 1 vote
Chili Mac in a slow cooker
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Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins
 

Slow Cooker Chili Mac is a dump and start crock pot recipe. Delicious chili with some pasta added at the end makes this a hearty, economical one-pot slow cooker meal.

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Tex Mex
Keyword: crock pot chili mac recipe
Servings: 6 - 8
Calories: 499 kcal
Author: Sandy Clifton
Ingredients
  • 1 lb Extra Lean Ground Beef or Ground Turkey (93%-97% lean)
  • 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 4 lg Garlic Cloves, pressed or finely minced
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 2 Tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Cumin
  • 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt (or 1/4 tsp table salt)
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
  • 1 can Diced Green Chiles, mild
  • 1 (14 oz) can Diced Tomatoes (with juice)
  • 3 cups Beef Broth* (low sodium)
  • 2 tsp Beef Bouillon
  • 2 (14 oz) cans Beans (red kidney, black, or pinto) drained & rinsed
  • 1 (6 oz) can Tomato Paste
  • 2 cups Small Elbow Macaroni (or 8 oz other pasta) dry
Instructions
  1. Add the meat, onion, garlic, bay leaf, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir.

  2. Add the diced green chiles, diced tomatoes, beef broth, bouillon, beans, and tomato paste. Stir well.

  3. Cook on Low for 6-8 hours, or High for 3-4 hours.

  4. If you add the pasta dry, add it 20 minutes before serving and cook on Low. If adding cooked pasta, add just before serving.

  5. Taste and adjust salt, if needed. Garnish with your choice of sour cream, cheese, avocado, diced onion, corn chips, cilantro, etc.

Recipe Notes

*If adding cooked pasta at the end, only add 2 cups of beef broth and add the third cup before serving, only if chili is too thick.


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Filed Under: Crock Pot / Slow Cooker, Dinner, Pasta, Recipes, Soups, Stews & Chowders

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Comments

  1. Erin

    October 23, 2019 at 5:37 am

    hello, I just want to clarify that you put the meat in the croc pot unbrowned, correct?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      October 26, 2019 at 4:52 pm

      You can do it either way, as long as it is not frozen.

      Reply
  2. Karen

    April 6, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    Oh my gosh we loved this! My husband said to put it in the rotation!

    Reply

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Sandy wearing a black shirt and a red apron I’m Sandy - foodie with a passion for cooking and sharing my tasty recipes. My hubby Paul, our Pug Gizmo, and I live in Washington.

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