Chili Mac in the Slow Cooker is an easy comforting dish made right in your crockpot! Use simple ingredients from your pantry to create a hearty and comforting dish you’ll love!
Chili Mac in the Slow Cooker
I love a good one-pot meal that doesn’t require fancy ingredients! This slow cooker chili mac is just that, and it’s a long-time reader favorite!
Comfort food is the best kind of food in my opinion. You know, that stick-to-your-ribs sort of dish. Especially in times when everything is crazy and I’m super busy.
Lately, the last thing I want to do is have a sink full of dishes from trying to make a 15-step dinner. No, thanks! That’s why I love this chili mac recipe so much. Simply load up the crockpot, and let it do its thing.
A few other meals that use easy-to-find pantry staples are Mexican Casserole, Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet, or just check out this post for Recipes Using Pantry Staples.
Why You’ll Love This Chili Mac Recipe
- Simple to make with pantry ingredients
- Family-friendly and kid-approved
- Wonderfully hearty and comforting
- Cleanup is easy
- Perfect for weeknight dinner
Key Ingredients to Make Crockpot Chili Mac
- GROUND BEEF – I like using lean ground beef for this chili mac recipe, but use what you have at home. Just be sure to brown and drain off the grease before adding to the crockpot.
- ONION AND GARLIC – A savory dish wouldn’t be the same without these yummy aromatics!
- CHILI BEANS IN CHILI SAUCE – You can find this in the canned bean aisle. There are different brands and some use different beans. Use what you like. My favorite is Bush’s.
- CRUSHED TOMATOES – To add flavor and color to the slow cooker chili mac sauce.
- DICED TOMATOES – For even more flavor and texture.
- BEEF BROTH – I like to use a low-sodium broth. You can also use stock.
- CHILI POWDER AND CUMIN – Spicy, warm, and earthy, these seasonings are a must.
- MACARONI – It wouldn’t be crockpot chili mac without macaroni! You can use another short pasta too if you prefer.
Instructions to Make Chili Mac
PREPARE THE GROUND BEEF: Brown the ground beef in a large frying pan before adding it to the slow cooker for maximum flavor.
LOAD UP THE CROCKPOT: Once the beef has been browned, transfer it along with the other ingredients (except for the noodles) to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
COOK: Allow your crockpot chili mac to cook on High for 4 hours, or Low for 8 hours. Stir in the uncooked pasta in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
SERVE: Plate your chili with noodles and garnish with a bit of extra cheese, sour cream, green onion, corn chips, or your favorite toppings!
Variations for Chili with Noodles: Make it your own!
- Change things up a bit by using ground turkey or Italian sausage instead. I love using a combo of ground beef and Italian sausage when I make chili. It adds so much flavor.
- Add other veggies like bell peppers or even some corn.
- Add all the toppings! We like shredded cheddar, corn chips, green onion, and sour cream.
- Make it spicy by adding in some hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
What to serve with Slow Cooker Chili Mac
- Simple side salad
- All the toppings! Sour cream, shredded cheese, hot sauce, pico de gallo, corn chips, green onions.
FAQ
You can. That said, I definitely recommend browning it in a pan first, as this will bring out the natural flavors in the beef before you add it to the slow cooker. You’ll get the most flavorful results possible!
Yes, it is possible — make sure to follow the instructions on the recipe card below to determine how long to cook your chili with noodles. That said, if you decide to go for the low-and-slow cooking method, you can let it cook for up to 9 hours. This is the perfect dish to slow cook in a crockpot overnight!
There are a few different solutions for watery chili mac. I suggest simmering it with the lid off to help any excess liquid evaporate. You could also introduce a bit of flour or cornstarch to the mix until you get the consistency you’re after.
Chef’s choice! Some folks swear by cooking on Low for 8-9 hours, while other recipes recommend cooking on High for up to 4 hours. You can choose whatever method works for you.
More Slow Cooker Recipies To Try
- Slow Cooker Lasagna
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
- Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef
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Chili Mac in the Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound (550g) very lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (30 oz) can chili beans in chili sauce or 2 (15-16 oz) cans chili beans in chili sauce
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
- Desired toppings: cheddar,sour cream, green onions, corn chips….
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and drain grease. Add to a 6 qt slow cooker or larger and stir in remaining ingredients except for the pasta.
- Cover and cook for 4 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW. In the last 15 minutes of cooking stir in the uncooked pasta and cover. Stir and test to see if pasta is to your liking. However, even with the slow cooker off the pasta will continue to cook just from the heat of the chili and crock itself so unless your pasta is really chewy or crunchy I strongly suggest only cooking it for the last 15 minutes of cook time.
- Serve immediately with desired toppings.
Notes
- If you wish not to brown the beef first place ground beef in the bottom of your slow cooker and break into smaller chunks.
- Nutrition facts: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate.
Not a big fan of canned beans; they tend to be too salty and too mushy for my taste. Can I just increase the meat to make up for the difference?
I think that would be fine. Maybe up it to 1 1/2 or even 2 pounds of ground beef. Also you will want to up the amount of chili powder and cumin to make up for not using the chili beans. Thanks for asking and I hope you enjoy!!
Thank you for this great recipe, I read through allll of the questions and I just need clarification… did you drain the diced tomatoes before you put them in or did you leave all the tomato products in their juice and pour it all in?
Thanks for asking! I left all of the canned products in their juices/sauces that they came in. The only time you would need to drain something is if you couldn’t find chili beans in chili sauce and were substituting in a different bean. Then just drain and rinse whatever bean you choose to use and I would add in more of the chili powder and cumin. Hope that helps and I hope you enjoy!!
Hi, I have been wanting to make this one for a while and was going to make it today. I just noticed you revised it so my timing is off. But I think I’ll still have time to make it on high. Could you clarify whether the pasta is cooked or uncooked when added in 15 minutes before serving? Also, sorry for being a novice, is the ground beef to be cooked prior to being put in the crock pot?
No problem! The pasta is uncooked when you put it in the crockpot. You can put in the ground beef raw at the beginning or if you prefer you can brown it before putting it in as well. Hope that helps and feel free to ask questions!! 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Will this recipe fit in a 4qt crockpot?
No, this makes to much to fit in a smaller than 6 qt. crockpot. You could try to 1/2 this recipe then it would fit with no problem. Hope that helps!
I just got a 3.5 qt. Crock-pot casserole crock. It’s very cool…9×13 and rectangular! Do you think this recipe would fit in there? I also have a 7qt that I got last year. FYI, the 7qt DEFINITELY cooks faster than my old 6qt, which sadly passed away…
No I don’t think this would fit in a 9×13 crock pot. That does sound like a really cool crockpot, you could make all sorts of casseroles! Thank you for letting me know about your new one cooking faster. I just got a new one and I am working on revamping this recipe. Thanks!! Hope you enjoy!
Can I use Kidney Beans instead of Chili Beans.. do I need to do anything else because I will be using Kidney Beans?
Sure you can use kidney beans… Just drain and rinse them before adding. Also kidney beans may need a little more chili powder and cumin. Hope you enjoy!
Before I got your reply. I added the kidney beans in but forgot to rinse them!!! I hope that is ok!!!! Also- do I need to stir it at all while it is cooking?
It will be just fine 🙂 and no need to stir! Thanks, hope you enjoy!!
If I wanted to cook the ground beef in the crockpot instead of browning before , what would you recommend?
While I haven’t done this with this particular recipe, I have done it with chicken and it turned out just fine. I suggest just breaking up the ground beef some before adding it to the crockpot and use a lean ground beef. Also, make sure to read my note at the bottom of the recipe about the pasta. I am currently working on revamping this recipe. 🙂
Thank you, can’t wait to try it!!
How long do you suggest we cook the noodles if we do have a new crockpot?
I can’t say for sure, maybe in the last hour??? I am going to be getting a new crockpot soon and test this out myself and update. Thank you for asking!
Was excited to make this and sadly it was a fail. I cooked it on low for 2 hours and the noodles completely dissolved makes no the chili not taste very good. Will try to make it one more time and add the noodles at the end.
I am so sorry this didn’t turn out for you!! Can I ask if you are using a newer crockpot or an old one. I am beginning to wonder if they cook differently.
I got my crockpot about 3 years ago. It does seem to cook things faster which is why I stopped st 2 hours with this recipe. My son and husband still enjoyed it so that’s all that matters.
Thank you so much for letting me know! I have a really old crockpot and was afraid that the new ones would cook differently, looks like I need to get a new one for Christmas!! Thank you again!
I grew up with the old style crockpots. When I got older and moved out on my own and bought myself a crock pot, I hated it. Everything burned and got some weird tastes, and just all around ruined the recipes I grew up with.
After almost 15 years of searching, I FINALLY found a crockpot that cooks the way I like!!! Cuisinart makes a line of slow cookers with a SIMMER function! And on that setting I can cook my recipes all day and come home to food that still tastes good and isn’t horribly overcooked. I have a 3.5 quart fully programmable oval one, and it was a little pricey, but worth every penny!!! I got it on amazon.
PS: They make larger ones than mine, but since it’s just me and my son, the 3.5 quart is just the right size for dinner for us and two portions of leftovers for lunch. The “simmer” function is lower than low, but higher than warm.
Thank you so much for commenting and providing such valuable information!! When I bought a new crockpot I went with the standard non fancy one and I kinda wish I would’ve researched and found a better one! Really I wish there was just 1 standard crockpot, lol! That way all these recipes would work the way they should! Thanks again Brenda!! 🙂
If I wanted to use chicken instead but not ground just regular chicken breast so it would be like shredded chicken in the chili how would you recommend goingabout tbat?
My suggestions would be to cook the chicken in the crockpot with everything but the pasta on LOW for 6-8 hours then just shred right in the crockpot. Cook your pasta separately towards the end of cooking and stir it in after you have shredded the chicken. I would also consider replacing the beef broth with chicken broth. Hope that helps! Let me know how you like it! 🙂
I made this yesterday. Used ground turkey because that’s what I had on hand. Because of that I used some beef seasoning to kick it up a notch. Really great recipe. Will DEFINITELY make again!
Do you put the chicken in raw? Or fry it up first?
I put the hamburger in raw, but you can also fry it first if you prefer.
If I wanted to make a big crockpot full of this using 2 pounds of meat instead of 2, do you think so would need to double everything else and still cook for 2.5 hours? Looks very good!!
You could double the meat if you wanted a “meatier” chili. I’m not sure you could double everything else and still fit it in the crock pot, it’s usually pretty full. 🙂 But doubling the meat would still be fine and still cook for the 2.5 hours. Hope that helps!!
what do you recommend I do if I don’t own a crockpot? can I do the same thing on the stovetop?
Sure you can cook this on the stovetop. Just simmer on low covered. It will probably cook faster so I would start checking it after an hour. I would also stir it occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom. Hope that helps!
Hi! I made this tonight for dinner & it was pretty tasty! I made it on the stove. Only suggestion for this method is to start checking it maybe after a half hour. Mine went 45 mins & the noodles were just getting boderline mushy….thanks for the delicious recipe!
Thank you so much for your comment, it is very helpful!!
Everyone has a slow cooker, it is called the oven. I have used mine by setting the oven temp really low, 190-200 degrees. You have to experiment a bit but it does work.
You are absolutely right and thank you for this reminder Heather! 🙂
If you only cook for 2-2.5 hours, you don’t have to cook noodles before hand? Just dump in the box of dry pasta?
Yes that is correct everything including the dry pasta goes into the crockpot and cooks together. If you need to have it in the crockpot longer (if you are at work) then I would suggest leaving the pasta out. Then you would need to cook your pasta according to the package directions and stir it in just before serving. Hope that helps.
If I want to keep it on for like 6 hours while at work, is that ok? I wouldn’t cook the pasta until I got home.
Yep, that is how I would do it! Hope you enjoy!!
I have a timed crock pot that switches to warm after, do you think that would continue to cook the noodles if I had it on the warm setting for an hour afyer it cooked?
I can’t say for sure but I don’t think it would cook it. I’m still waiting for my crock pot to quit so I can upgrade, lol. 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Am I the only one who got a super watery outcome? Followed directions and even cut the broth down to 1 cup instead of 2, because it looked a little soupy as I was preparing. Can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong.
Do you cook on high or low?
This needs to be cooked on low. Hope you enjoy!
28 ounce tomato sauce?
If you want to replace the crushed tomatoes with tomato sauce that should work just fine. Hope you enjoy!
I used 3 lbs blended Roma tomatoes. delicious
Great substitute!! Thanks for sharing Mandy!! 🙂
I am planning to make this today using ground turkey and chicken broth. Hoping it comes out as good as your photo looks!
That sounds great!! Hope you enjoy!! 🙂
Hi! CHILI beans (Bush’s black beans in sauce) or kidney beans? Thanks!
There should be a can labeled chili beans, but if not no worries just use whichever beans you would like and increase the seasonings to taste when you make it. Hope that helps. Thanks!
Do we need to drain anything that’s in a can?
You only need to drain if your are substituting in different beans that aren’t in a chili sauce. Thanks for asking! Hope you enjoy and please to take note about the noodles. I am currently working on revamping the recipe and hope to have it updated this week. Thanks!
This looks delicious! I plan on making it this weekend and wondering if the left overs would freeze well? Thanks the amazing recipe. 🙂
Yes, the leftovers should freeze fine. Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!
This looks so perfect for fall! Comfort food all the way 🙂
Couldn’t agree more!! 🙂 Thanks, Julie!!
Oh just looking at your gorgeous pics is making me so hungry! This is a perfect meal for those busy times, and I am totally with you- the summer is often way more hectic than the school year. As much as I hate to say goodbye to summer, I’m definitely ready for school to start again!
Thank you so much, Allie!! I know it’s hard to say goodbye to summer, but I am definitely ready for some structure around here! 🙂
Do you have to use any tomatoes? My husband isn’t a fan of them.
If there is something similar you can think of try replacing it with that. I can’t guarantee the same results though. Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Try some V8. You will avoid the tomato chunks but still get the flavor. Or puree.
Thanks for the tip!!