Flavorful, versatile and super easy to make. This crockpot chili mac is going to be a surefire hit with everyone in the family.
I’ve got to admit. I’m always down for easy, one pot recipes. They automatically mean less cleanup time, and are the perfect meal to whip up on the days when I’m not in the mood to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
And that’s exactly why I tried making this crockpot chili mac, and absolutely fell in love!
But before you go ahead and give it a try yourself, here are a few tips and suggestions you must know.
Can I Make This in a Pot?
While this recipe calls for using your crockpot, since it is meant to be slow cooked, you can totally cook it on the stovetop in a pot or use your Instant Pot if you want to whip it up quickly.
Just remember that the cooking times for each of these methods will be different.
How Do I Store the Leftovers?
Your leftover crockpot chili mac is freezer friendly. All you need to do is transfer the leftovers to an airtight, preferably freezer safe container and pop it in there.
You can also refrigerate the leftovers. Just remember to consume them within 2-3 days, and reheat them in the microwave to preserve the structure and texture of the pasta.
Tips to Make the Crockpot Chili Mac
Ready to get started with the recipe? Keep these little tips and tricks in mind.
- Make sure you use lean ground beef for this recipe, and if you don’t have it, you can try replicating the process with ground chicken or ground turkey too!
- Want to make it spicy? Sneak in some cayenne pepper or hot sauce to give it that fiery touch.
- Don’t skimp on the toppings. Be generous with the cheese, green onions and sour cream to really take the flavors of this crockpot chili mac to the next level.
- Want to make this dish healthier? Sneak in some veggies like bell peppers and boiled corn or even some cottage cheese if you want to. Also remember to use low sodium beef broth, or even better- use homemade beef broth.
- Want your chili mac to have more intense flavors? Spend a few extra minutes in the kitchen browning the garlic and the onions and then following the rest of the recipe as is.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
This classic comfort food recipe needs no companion. It can be a complete meal in itself, but if you’re really looking to take things up a notch, here are a few ideas to get you going.
- Serve the crockpot chili mac with a side of a fresh salad like my favorite honey ginger salad or some air fried cucumbers.
- I also think pairing this hearty meal with a side of something cheesy can make it a dream comfort food spread. Try making these easy keto garlic cheese chips with the chili mac.
- If you’re making this chili mac for some guests coming over, you can team it up with some spinach artichoke bites.
Easy Crockpot Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- 1 ½ c tomato passata (or tomato sauce)
- 1 ½ c beef broth
- 14 oz canned beans of choice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp black pepper
- salt to taste
- 2 c elbow noodles uncooked
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned throughout.
- Place cooked ground beef in your crockpot and add in the onion, garlic, beans, tomato sauce, broth and broth. Add the seasoning to taste, then stir to combine completely.
- Secure lid on crockpot and set to high for 3 hours.
- In the last 20 minutes of cooking, stir in the elbow noodles and cook until they reach your desired consistency.
- Serve with your favorite chili toppings.
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