Chili Mac in the Slow Cooker

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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!

overhead of chili mac in a slow cooker

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
bowl of chili mac topped with cheese and sour cream

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!

bowl of chili mac topped with sour cream and cheddar

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.
top down view of Crockpot chili mac in a bowl.

FAQ

Can you put raw ground beef in a slow cooker?

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!

Is it possible to overcook chili in a slow cooker?

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!

How do you keep chili mac from getting watery in a slow cooker?

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.

Is it better to cook chili high or low?

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

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Chili Mac in the Slow Cooker

Course: Main Dish, Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chili mac
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!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Malinda Linnebur
Print Recipe Save Recipe

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

  1. If you wish not to brown the beef first place ground beef in the bottom of your slow cooker and break into smaller chunks.
  2. Nutrition facts: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 411mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg

187 thoughts on “Chili Mac in the Slow Cooker”

    • You could try adding in a little more pasta to help soak up some extra liquid. And don’t worry it will look very soupy just before adding in the pasta. Hope you enjoy!!

      Reply
  1. I made this exactly as is. I have a new crockpot and I cooked it on Low for 8 hours. Then it automatically switches to warm while at work. Came home, added the noodles for 15 minutes… Perfect! The seasoning is just right, not too salty like most other chili mac recipes. This is going in my tried and true! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Hi, I plan on making this recipe for my husband and I but I don’t have a slow cooker. What size would you recommend for this recipe, because I know the sizes tend to vary and I don’t want to end up purchasing one that’s way too big than what’s needed and therefore spending more money than I need to. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hi! I recommend getting a 6 qt. This recipe makes a large amount and leftovers freeze well! And just a suggestion- get a programmable one, I wish I would have! Thanks for your question!

      Reply
  3. Melinda, I just made this recipe today and was a hit with my husband and kids!! I have made chili mac casserole in the past (one you bake) but this one is sooooo much better!! I did change a couple of things. Instead of cumin and chili powder, I added Lawry’s Taco Seasoning and Lawry’s Chili Seasoning. I also added a can of tomato paste at the end as it didn’t seem thick enough (my family and I love thick chili). Thanks for sharing this delicious crock pot recipe!!

    Reply
  4. I’m making this for my son and his family who are moving to our area tomorrow. Who wants to think about cooking? I’m also making a lemon berry salad.
    I hope it fills them up.

    Reply
  5. I used ground turkey instead of beef and vegetable broth instead of beef
    Turned out amazing as well
    Ohhh and 1 can of tomatos with habaneros to add a little kick

    Reply
      • Hi Karry, I have made this with raw ground beef so it should be the same for ground turkey. I put the meat in the bottom of the slow cooker first and break it up into chunks. Then add other ingredients and proceed as normal. At the end of cooking time you may need to break up the meat a little more with a spoon. Hope you enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
  6. Hi
    I’m following Weight Watchers Smart Points. I’m curious if you would know how many smart points per serving this would be.

    Thanks Jessie

    Reply
  7. So I accidentally put 28oz diced tomatoes. Do you think it’ll still turn out okay? Also, new to crockpotting; how will I know when it’s done like when it says 4-6hrs. Thanks!

    Reply
    • The chili mac might be a little soupier after you add in the pasta and cook it. It will still be fine to eat, maybe just stir in some extra cheese when you dish up 🙂 It will be done at at the end of 4 hours but you can keep cooking it as long as you want too. Just don’t add in the pasta until the last 15 minutes of cooking.

      Reply
      • More cheese is no problem!! It turned out fine. A little soupier but not bad. What I did was when I added the pasta, I left it uncovered and hips some of the liquid would evaporate (which some did). It’s a hit!!!

        Reply
  8. Made this for dinner last night! Total success! Rave reviews from my three boys–well, two boys & a husband lol. 😉 Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  9. If I were to brown the meat first could I shorten then time to about 2 1/2 hours? Or would I still need to cook it for the whole 4?

    Reply
  10. Thanks for an awesome recipe! I just made it tonight and it was a hit! It cooked all day while I was at work, I came home and put the macaroni in for 15 minutes and…dinner was served! I started with the beef raw, and it turned out great. I was a little worried when I got home and opened the crock pot and it looked very watery. But that extra liquid was necessary for cooking the macaroni.

    Thanks again…definitely a keeper! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Hello again! Just thought I would drop by and tell you that this came out perfectly. I did the macaroni for the last 15 minutes and it was done to perfection! This IS the ultimate comfort food and my DH loves it. Thank you so much for all the trouble you took to perfect this recipe for out newer cookers. You rock, Malinda 🙂

    Reply
  12. Hi- I’m super excited to try this- is it a recipe I could make ahead of time and freeze- minus the pasta? Then throw it all in crockpot day I wanted to eat it? Also, should I just cook the pasta separately or add it in later before we are ready to eat uncooked?

    Reply
    • i haven’t tried doing it this way but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I would leave the pasta out before freezing then add it in during the last 15 minutes when you are cooking it in the crockpot. Hope you enjoy and let me know how it turns out! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Hello, I am new to the whole crockpot thing. I am making this for the first time. Do I stir the beef In with all the ingredients I just placed in the crockpot? It will cook okay? I already put the stuff in the crockpot so I can’t go back to brown it now lol. Thanks!

    Reply
  14. This was delicious! I made this a few days ago, camping in the desert with a huge group so I doubled the recipe… and everyone loved it!! And what did everyone say? “Oooooh it’s comfort food” and “its nice and hot & it’s freezing out here!” Thank you!!

    Reply

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