Ultimate Slow Cooker Chili Mac for Cozy Dinners
When comfort food is calling, nothing beats a hearty homemade dinner that brings everyone to the table. Slow Cooker Chili Mac is a cozy favorite for busy weeknights and relaxed family meals. It has a warm and satisfying appeal that makes dinner feel extra special.
The familiar flavors are perfect for kids and adults alike. This recipe is also a great choice for casual gatherings, weekend dinners, and chilly evenings at home. It brings the kind of comforting feel that makes everyone eager for a second serving. Whether you are feeding the family or planning an easy meal for friends, this dish fits beautifully into the occasion.
If you love hearty comfort food, keep this recipe close. It is filling, inviting, and wonderfully satisfying. One cozy dinner like this can make an ordinary evening feel much more enjoyable.
Chili Mac In The Slow Cooker
This Chili Mac is the best kind of comfort food and is super simple to prepare. This is a recipe that can be just thrown into the slow cooker and let it work its magic! All of the ingredients blend together so well to make a tasty and filling dinner. Just pop it in the slow cooker and go about your day, and it will be ready just in time for dinner.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Ground Beef: I like to use lean ground beef, but you can use other ground meat like turkey, chicken, or sausage.
Vegetables: You will add sweet baby peppers, tomato sauce, Rotel tomatoes, and red kidney beans to this recipe.
Seasonings: You will need chili seasoning, ranch seasoning, and parsley for an optional topping.
Macaroni: I like to use elbow macaroni, but any kind of pasta will work!
Cheese: I prefer using cheddar cheese for this recipe, but you can use other kinds as well, like Mozzarella, Colby Jack, Monterey, etc.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Step 1. Add the beef into a medium skillet over medium-high heat and brown with the chopped peppers. Remove excess grease before adding to the slow cooker. Add the tomato sauce, Rotel tomatoes, kidney beans, chili seasoning, ranch seasoning, and water. Combine and cook for 6 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
Step 2. Add the macaroni into the slow cooker for the last 45 minutes of cooking and stir to combine. Once the pasta is cooked, put in half of the cheese and combine. Add the rest of the cheese on top and cover with the lid until melted. Add a few dashes of parsley for garnish and serve. Enjoy!
Can You Make Slow Cooker Chili Mac On Stove Top?
Yes! You can make this incredible recipe on the stovetop if you do not have a slow cooker. You will need to prepare the macaroni and beef and combine them with the rest of the ingredients to cook. Once fully cooked, add the cheese and garnish on top.
Tips & Tricks:
Here are a few great hacks to make the best chili mac in a slow cooker:
- Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days!
- Use any kind of meat that you desire!
- Replace or add more beans, like pinto or black beans!
- Use any kind of pasta!
- To add some spice, add in some chopped jalapeños!
- Add some sugar to cut the acidity of the tomatoes!
- Add all your favorite toppings like sour cream, scallions, tortilla chips, Fritos, olives, hot sauce, salsa, etc.!
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef lean
- ▢1/2 cup chopped sweet baby peppers
- ▢1 29 oz can tomato sauce
- ▢1 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes
- 2 15 oz. cans red kidney beans drained
- 1 1 oz. envelope chili seasoning
- 1 1 oz. envelope ranch seasoning
- 2 cups water
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
- 16 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- Parsley for topping
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat brown the hamburger with the chopped peppers.
- Drain off any grease.
- Into the slow cooker add the browned beef and peppers tomato sauce, Rotel tomatoes, kidney beans, chili seasoning, ranch seasoning, and water.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
- In the last 45 minutes before serving add in the elbow macaroni and stir.
- When the pasta is cooked add half of the shredded cheese and stir to combine.
- Top with the remaining cheese and place the lid on the slow cooker until the cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle on some parsley for color.
- Serve!