The Ultimate Cheesy Crockpot Chili Mac: An Easy One-Pot Family Favorite

Indulge in the heartwarming goodness of a cheesy Crockpot Chili Mac, the quintessential comfort food that truly delights all ages! Say goodbye to extra pots and complicated steps, as this incredible recipe requires no prior boiling of pasta. Just like our popular Ninja Foodi Chili Mac, this is a truly effortless one-pot meal, bursting with rich, savory flavor that will become a staple in your household.

Here on The Typical Mom blog, we’re passionate about creating simple, delicious meals, and this Crockpot Chili Mac stands out as one of our absolute favorite easy slow cooker recipes. With tender ground beef and macaroni noodles that cook directly in the sauce, preparing this hearty dish is easier than you could ever imagine. It’s the perfect solution for those busy days when you crave a homemade meal without the fuss. (Originally published 10/19, affiliate links present)

Crockpot Chili Mac: A Versatile Family Meal

As a busy parent myself, I understand the appeal of easy Crockpot recipes. This chili mac is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to tweak it to your family’s preferences. If you enjoy a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can easily be added. For the little ones, keeping it mild ensures everyone can enjoy a delicious meal. While I often include kidney beans for added texture and nutrition, they can be effortlessly omitted if they’re not your family’s favorite.

When the weather outside turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting meal to fill your belly and lift your spirits. This Crockpot Chili Mac delivers on all fronts, providing a rich, satisfying experience. And let’s be honest, adding a generous layer of melted cheese on top only makes it better! While I also appreciate the speed of my pressure cooker, slow cooker meals like this are invaluable for those days when you need to set it and forget it, leaving you free to go about your day.

The Magic of Slow Cooking

Let’s dive a little deeper into the wonderful world of slow cooking. I’ve accumulated a few different models over the years, each serving a unique purpose. For instance, my favorite 6-quart programmable slow cooker features a locking lid, making it perfect for potlucks and transporting your delicious creation without spills. To make cleanup a breeze, I always recommend spraying the inside of your slow cooker with olive oil before adding ingredients – a simple trick that often negates the need for disposable liners.

Recently, I invested in a new slow cooker that complements my kitchen decor so beautifully, it now has a permanent spot on my countertop. It’s a testament to how integral slow cooking has become in our meal preparation!

Understanding Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Whether you call it “Crockpot Chili Mac” or “Slow Cooker Chili Mac,” these terms refer to the same beloved dish: a hearty, long-simmered meal. For many years, my go-to was a simple 5-ingredient Crockpot chili recipe, a quick assembly of meat, beans, and seasoning packets. Then, with the arrival of my pressure cooker, we discovered the joys of Instant Pot Chili Mac, which was equally fantastic but offered a different cooking experience. Now, we’ve found the perfect balance by combining the best elements of both into this incredible slow cooker version!

This hearty chili mac slow cooker recipe brings together all the flavors we love with minimal effort. If you’re ready to create this ultimate comfort dish, here’s a look at the essential ingredients you’ll need.

Crafting Your Chili Mac: Essential Ingredients

Key Ingredients for Crockpot Chili Mac

While we absolutely adore the robust heartiness that meat brings to this dish, it’s entirely possible to adapt it for a vegetarian diet by simply omitting the ground beef. When I do use meat, I often experiment with different combinations, sometimes swapping out half the ground beef for spicy ground sausage to add an extra layer of flavor and a subtle kick. My choice often depends on what’s on sale at the grocery store, making this recipe budget-friendly too!

1. Lean Ground Beef: Or, for a flavorful twist, try spicy ground sausage.
   • For tips on preparing ground beef in your slow cooker, see our guide on Crockpot Ground Beef.
2. Elbow Macaroni Noodles: Crucially, these should be uncooked!
3. Crushed Tomatoes: Provide a smooth, rich base for the chili.
4. Diced Tomatoes: Add texture and a fresh tomato burst.
5. Beef Broth: The preferred choice for depth of flavor, though chicken broth or even water can be used in a pinch.
6. Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all ingredients.
7. Onion Powder: For a subtle, savory onion flavor without the texture.
8. Minced Garlic: Essential for a robust, aromatic base.
9. Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Our go-to for its melting quality and classic cheesy flavor.
10. This recipe is designed to be a mild chili recipe.
    • You can easily increase the spice level by adding more chili powder and/or a dash of Sriracha seasoning.

Optional Add-ins and Customizations

Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own! Here are some fantastic additions:

• Beans: A rinsed can of kidney or black beans makes a wonderful addition, boosting fiber and heartiness.
• Sour Cream: A dollop stirred in at the end or served on top adds a lovely creamy finish.
• Green Chiles: A diced can of green chiles can be added during cooking for extra flavor without significantly increasing heat.
• Bell Peppers: Diced bell peppers (any color) can be added with the other ingredients for extra vegetables and a touch of sweetness.
• Corn: A can of drained corn or frozen corn added in the last hour offers a sweet crunch.

The “No-Boil Noodles” Secret: Pasta in Your Crockpot

A common question arises when making chili with pasta: “Should you put noodles in chili?” Traditionally, noodles or crackers are added after the chili is cooked, often boiled separately. Adding raw pasta directly to a long-simmering chili typically results in mushy, overcooked noodles, as chili can take several hours to cook. This is generally the case when making Instant Pot chili, where pasta is usually cooked separately or added for a very short period at the end.

However, for this particular Crockpot chili recipe with noodles, there’s no need to pre-boil them! The magic lies in adding them at the right moment towards the end of the cooking process. This method allows the noodles to absorb the rich chili flavors, resulting in perfectly tender pasta without any sogginess, making it a truly one-pot wonder.

Chili with Noodles: Different Names, Same Comfort

As you can see here, we lovingly call this dish slow cooker chili mac. However, across different regions, you might hear similar dishes referred to by other names. For example, some might equate it to Cincinnati chili, which traditionally features a distinctive Mediterranean-spiced meat sauce, often served over spaghetti with a mound of shredded cheese.

Regardless of the name, the combination of savory chili and tender macaroni creates a universally adored comfort food that’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a potluck gathering.

The Art of Cooking Uncooked Pasta in a Slow Cooker

Yes, you absolutely can put uncooked pasta in a slow cooker, and it works beautifully for this chili mac recipe! The key is precise timing. Adding the pasta approximately 30-45 minutes before you plan to eat is ideal. Any earlier, and the noodles risk becoming overcooked and mushy, especially if left on for an extended period. In this sense, cooking pasta directly in a slow cooker requires a bit of attention, but the reward is incredibly flavorful noodles that have absorbed all the delicious sauce.

• If you’ve never tried this method before, you might be pleasantly surprised by how much you enjoy it! We apply this same technique when making our Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs with a rich tomato sauce base, and the results are consistently fabulous.

The slow cooking time for your noodles will, of course, depend on your personal preference for al dente versus softer macaroni. We find that about half an hour yields a perfect texture. Simply stir them in, ensure they are submerged in the liquid, cover, and cook on high for approximately 20-30 minutes, checking for your desired tenderness the first time you make it.

Step-by-Step: Making Slow Cooker Chili Mac and Cheese

Below is a quick step-by-step guide, and you’ll find a complete, printable recipe card at the very bottom of this post for your convenience.

1. On your stovetop, brown the ground beef in a pan until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess grease, then transfer the cooked meat into your slow cooker.
2. Add all other ingredients to the slow cooker, EXCEPT for the uncooked macaroni noodles and shredded cheese. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine.
3. Place the lid on your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
4. Approximately 30-45 minutes before you plan to serve, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni noodles. Make sure they are fully submerged in the liquid to cook evenly.
5. Once the noodles have reached your desired tenderness, stir in the shredded cheese. It will melt quickly into the hot chili mac, creating a creamy, cheesy finish. Serve immediately and enjoy!

More Delicious Crockpot Hamburger Recipes

If you love the versatility of ground beef like we do, you’re in luck! We have a treasure trove of Crockpot hamburger recipes. Ground beef is a staple in my kitchen; I often buy it in bulk when it’s on sale, freeze it, and then defrost it whenever I’m ready to whip up a delicious meal.

You absolutely must try our Crockpot hamburger casserole – it’s truly fantastic. And for other fuss-free family favorites:

1. Our Crockpot Hamburger Helper is always a huge hit with the kids and adults alike.
2. Even my picky eaters love this Slow Cooker Stuffed Cabbage Soup – it’s packed with flavor and nutritious ingredients.
3. Round out your slow cooker repertoire with some Crockpot Lasagna Casserole, also requiring NO boiling of noodles!

If you own a pressure cooker, don’t miss our easy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe for another quick and cheesy meal. Now, let’s get to the full recipe for this delightful chili with noodles!

5 from 2 votes

Crockpot Chili Mac

By Justine

Cheesy Crockpot chili mac is the ultimate comfort food that kids love! No boiling required when you cook this either. A one pot meal that’s full of flavor.

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 7 hrs

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 15 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 can
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, 1 can
• 2 c beef broth
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 8 oz macaroni, uncooked, elbow noodles
• 3 c cheese, cheddar, shredded

Instructions

• Brown ground beef on stovetop and add into crockpot.
• Add in all other ingredients EXCEPT cheese and uncooked noodles, stir together.
• Close lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours ideally, or high for 2-3 hours.
• 30 min. before you want to eat sprinkle in uncooked small noodles and submerge into the liquid.
• Once done stir in cheese. Serve when noodles are as tender as you’d like and cheese is melted.

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz,
Calories: 459kcal,
Carbohydrates: 30g,
Protein: 26g,
Fat: 26g,
Saturated Fat: 13g,
Cholesterol: 85mg,
Sodium: 909mg,
Potassium: 572mg,
Fiber: 3g,
Sugar: 5g,
Vitamin A: 896IU,
Vitamin C: 10mg,
Calcium: 366mg,
Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

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