By Becky Hardin
Published Oct 29, 2022
Crockpot Chili Mac might just be the easiest comfort food recipe you’ll ever make! Macaroni is all dressed up with kidney beans, green chilies, beef, cheese, and more. This kid-friendly dinner recipe is equal parts simple and comforting!
Chili Mac and Cheese
Is there anything better than a bowl of homemade Chili Mac ? As it turns out, the only thing that makes it even better is cooking it in the Crockpot! The slow cooker essentially does all of the work for you and always yields tender, cheesy, and decadent results.
When it’s cold outside and you just want a big hearty bowl of cold weather comfort food to hit the spot, this Crockpot Chili Mac recipe will do the job. It’s loaded with plenty of beef and kidney beans to keep you full, and cheesy macaroni to make you smile. There’s also an array of seasonings to make your taste buds happy!
Why You’ll Love this Crockpot Recipe for Chili Mac:
- KID-FRIENDLY: Your kids will love this easy dinner! It’s essentially just mac and cheese but with an extra punch of flavor.
- FILLING: Kidney beans and ground beef combined with mac and cheese? You know a heaping serving of this dinner will hit the spot!
- SO EASY : Set it and forget it! Let the Crockpot make dinner for you tonight.
When I enjoy a bowl of this, I just have to have an extra sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top with a touch of cilantro. Otherwise, it’s not complete!
How to Make Crockpot Chili Mac
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Toss everything except for the cheese and cilantro into the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 1-2 hours.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Chili mac is a dish that combines creamy mac and cheese with flavorful chili con carne.
The best pasta for chili mac is a short pasta shape, such as elbow macaroni, cavatappi, fusilli, or shells.
No. You can add raw ground beef to the slow cooker, but you’ll get more flavor if you sear it first. If added raw, the beef will cook in 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high. I recommend waiting to add the pasta until the last 1-2 hours of cooking to prevent it from getting mushy.
Add 1 tablespoon of red cayenne pepper for a lot of spice or 1 teaspoon for just a little spice.
Yes. Cook the pasta separately, then add everything but the cheese to a Dutch oven and simmer over medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes. Add the cheese before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Feel free to enjoy this Chili Mac all by itself! Or, if you’re craving a little something on the side, here are some of my favorite recipes that pair perfectly with this Crockpot dinner.
- Cornbread
- Dutch Oven Jalapeño Bread
This is so good, you’ll be craving a second serving, even though you’ll likely be super full from the first!
Make Ahead Instructions
Crockpot chili mac can be made up to 1 day in advance of when you plan to serve it and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to reheat and serve.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover crockpot chili mac in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze crockpot chili mac whole or in individual portions in airtight containers or Ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Substitutions
- Feel free to substitute ground chicken or turkey in place of the beef for a leaner take.
- You can use any beans you like, such as pinto or black beans, instead of kidney beans.
- You can use chicken or vegetable broth in place of the beef broth.
- Use your favorite short pasta shape, such as fusilli, cavatappi, or shells!
- You can use Monterey Jack, American, Colby, or mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar.
- Feel free to omit the cilantro if you’re not a fan, or use parsley instead.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Chili Mac
- I like to use 80-85% lean ground beef in this recipe, but you can go leaner if you want!
- Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder and cumin to suit your tastes.
- You can add more veggies if you like, such as bell peppers or corn!
- Use block cheddar and shred it yourself if possible. It will melt more evenly than bagged.
MoreCrockpotBeef RecipesWe Love
- Crockpot Beef Tenderloin
- Crockpot Beef Barbacoa
- Crockpot Meatloaf
- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
- Crockpot Beef and Noodles
Don’t feel like breaking a sweat over a hot pot? Want something easy and comforting on the dinner table that your kids will actually eat? Then this Crockpot Chili Mac is the recipe for you!
More Cheesy Pasta Recipes to Try:
- Mac and Cheese Casserole
- King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Lobster Mac and Cheese
- Beefaroni
- Crockpot Mac and Cheese
- Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
- One Pot Chili Mac
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound ground beef browned and drained
- ▢ 1 onion chopped
- ▢ 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ▢ 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 15 ounces kidney beans 1 can, drained
- ▢ 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies 1 can, drained
- ▢ 6 ounces tomato paste 1 can
- ▢ 8 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
- ▢ 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- ▢ 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ Chopped fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients except the cheese and cilantro in the slow cooker. 1 pound ground beef, 1 onion, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 15 ounces kidney beans, 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies, 6 ounces tomato paste, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 3 cups low-sodium beef broth, 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- Cover and cook on low for 1-2 hours until the pasta is cooked.
- Sprinkle cheese and fresh cilantro over the top. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, Chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment
- Crockpot
Becky’s Tips
- I like to use 80-85% lean ground beef in this recipe, but you can go leaner if you want!
- Feel free to substitute ground chicken or turkey in place of the beef for a leaner take.
- You can use any beans you like, such as pinto or black beans, instead of kidney beans.
- You can use chicken or vegetable broth in place of the beef broth.
- Use your favorite short pasta shape, such as fusilli, cavatappi, or shells!
- You can use Monterey Jack, American, Colby, or mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar.
- Feel free to omit the cilantro if you’re not a fan, or use parsley instead.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder and cumin to suit your tastes.
- You can add more veggies if you like, such as bell peppers or corn!
- Use block cheddar and shred it yourself if possible. It will melt more evenly than bagged.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Crockpot Chili Mac Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef browned and drained
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 15 ounces kidney beans 1 can, drained
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies 1 can, drained
- 6 ounces tomato paste 1 can
- 8 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients except the cheese and cilantro in the slow cooker. 1 pound ground beef, 1 onion, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 15 ounces kidney beans, 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies, 6 ounces tomato paste, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 3 cups low-sodium beef broth, 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- Cover and cook on low for 1-2 hours until the pasta is cooked.
- Sprinkle cheese and fresh cilantro over the top. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, Chopped fresh cilantro
Video
Notes
- I like to use 80-85% lean ground beef in this recipe, but you can go leaner if you want!
- Feel free to substitute ground chicken or turkey in place of the beef for a leaner take.
- You can use any beans you like, such as pinto or black beans, instead of kidney beans.
- You can use chicken or vegetable broth in place of the beef broth.
- Use your favorite short pasta shape, such as fusilli, cavatappi, or shells!
- You can use Monterey Jack, American, Colby, or mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar.
- Feel free to omit the cilantro if you’re not a fan, or use parsley instead.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder and cumin to suit your tastes.
- You can add more veggies if you like, such as bell peppers or corn!
- Use block cheddar and shred it yourself if possible. It will melt more evenly than bagged.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
