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.
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.
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!
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.
Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili
Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Amazing Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
If you make this tasty crockpot Chili Mac recipe please let me know. Just leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love to know how you liked it!
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.
- 1 lb Extra Lean Ground Beef or Lean Ground Turkey (93%-97% lean)
- 1 Yellow Onion, diced
- 4 lg Garlic Cloves, pressed or finely minced
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder (mild)
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin
- 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt (or ¼ tsp table salt)
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- 1 can Diced Green Chiles, mild
- 1 (14 oz) can Diced Tomatoes (with juice)
- 3 cups Beef Broth** (low sodium)
- 2 teaspoons Beef Bouillon (such as Better Than 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
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Sour Cream
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Add the meat, onion, garlic, bay leaf, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir. If your ground beef isn't lean, just brown it and drain fat before adding.
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Add the diced green chiles, diced tomatoes, beef broth, bouillon, beans, and tomato paste. Stir well.
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Cook on Low for 6-8 hours, or High for 3-4 hours.
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If you add the pasta dry, add it 20 minutes before serving and cook on Low. If adding cooked pasta, add just before serving.
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Taste and adjust salt, if needed. Garnish with your choice of sour cream, cheese, avocado, diced onion, corn chips, cilantro, etc.
*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.
RESOURCES TO MAKE Slow Cooker Chili Mac recipe and more
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Alexandra
Question regarding the green chiles:
What size can?
Thanks in advance! This looks delicious. Can’t wait to try!
Sandy
4 oz, or 7 oz if you really like them.
Amy
Absolutely Delicious! Loved this! I really like the addition of smoked paprika, perfect…
Dan Stafford
What size slow cooker is this for please? I use a 7-quart, and am making lunch for about 8 people & hoping for leftovers. Should I double the recipe?
Sandy
I use a 6qt or 7qt
Jessie
I want to make this, but I’m stuck on the beef bouillon.
All I have is better than bouillon , how much should i use for the two teaspoons?
Sandy
Use about 2 teaspoons of BTB
Doug
Great recipe. I added cheese on top.
Erin
hello, I just want to clarify that you put the meat in the croc pot unbrowned, correct?
Sandy
You can do it either way, as long as it is not frozen.
Catherine
Unbrowned meaning uncooked, correct? You put in non-frozen uncooked meat straight into the crockpot?
Sandy
Yes, not frozen, just broken up. It must be extra lean so there isn’t extra grease. If you don’t have extra lean, just brown the meat, drain the grease, and add it in.
Cindy
I made this and it’s absolutely delicious. Thank you! Unfortunately, for us, it makes a large amount. There are only 2 of us. Can I freeze the left overs?
Sandy
Yes!
Karen
Oh my gosh we loved this! My husband said to put it in the rotation!