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This Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food mashup — creamy, cheesy macaroni meets hearty chili in one easy slow cooker recipe. It’s a hands-off dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or feeding a hungry family without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love Crockpot Chili Mac and Cheese!
We are always looking for new and delicious ways to use our crock pot. This recipe does not disappoint and is loaded with tons of cheese, flavorful ground beef and so much more!
When you’re feeding a busy family, comfort food that stretches ingredients is always a win. This Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese is one of those recipes that everyone gets excited about — it’s filling, affordable, packed with flavor and perfect for nights when you want something warm and cozy without extra effort.
If you enjoyed our Crock Pot Hamburger Helper recipe, you are going to go crazy over this Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe. Your house will smell amazing as this cooks!
We love making ground beef chili and some of our top recipes include Texas Roadhouse Chili, Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili, and Wendy Chili Recipe. Chili combined with mac and cheese is always a hit with our kids. You simply can’t go wrong with chili and cheese in this flavorful chili mac recipe.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – We recommend using lean ground beef
- Small Onion – Learn How to Freeze Chopped onion
- Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
- Chili Beans – Feel free to substitute with red kidney beans
- Crushed Tomatoes and Diced Tomatoes – Gives it the tomato base
- Beef Broth – If you are out, substitute with water or chicken broth
- Chili Powder – Chili seasoning can also be used
- Cumin – If you are out, see Best Substitute for Cumin
- Salt and Pepper – Simple spices
- Elbow Macaroni – Any small pasta can be used
- Cheddar Cheese – Use hand shredded cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese or monterey jack is a family favorite
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Crockpot Chili Mac and Cheese
Step 1 – Brown ground beef over medium-high heat and put in the crock pot.
Step 2 – Add all the ingredients except for the pasta and shredded cheese to a crock pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Step 3 – Stir in the uncooked macaroni. Cover and cook on low for 20-30 minutes until the pasta is cooked through or al dente. Cook time may vary.
Step 4 – Stir in the cheddar cheese. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Step 5 – Top with your favorite chili toppings and enjoy.
Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- ½ small onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cans chili beans 15 oz
- 1 cans crushed tomatoes 15 oz each
- 1 cans diced tomatoes 15 oz
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 8 oz elbow macaroni uncooked
- 3 cups cheddar cheese hand shredded
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and put in the crock pot.
- Add all the ingredients except for the pasta and shredded cheese to a crock pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Stir in the uncooked macaroni. Cover and cook on low for 20-30 minutes until the pasta is cooked through.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Top with your favorite chili toppings and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Variations for Slow Cooker Chili Mac
- Creamy Mac and Cheese – You can add sour cream to make it extra creamy.
- Change the Meat – Try using sausage or ground turkey instead of ground beef. You can always do half turkey and half ground beef.
- Change the Cheese – We used cheddar cheese but anything would be great. Try Colby Monterrey Jack, sharp cheddars or Pepper Jack Cheese.
- Add Toppings – We like to top with green onion and jalapenos. The ideas are endless for this amazing recipe.
- Extra Spice – Add a dash or two of hot sauce for extra heat. Just make it your own. You can also cayenne pepper or a can of Rotel.
- Change the Beans – We used chili beans but black beans or kidney beans would taste amazing.
- Tomato Sauce – You can also use tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes.
- Broth – Instead of beef broth, chicken broth can be used.
- Add Veggies – Add in chopped green bell pepper
Nutrition Facts
What to Serve with Crockpot Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe
Everyone loves this meal and it is the best comfort food. We keep things simple and often serve it as is.
- Simple Salad – It is a great one pot meal and our family loves it. If you want something green, try adding a simple side salad.
- Roasted Vegetables – We also like green beans or steamed broccoli. Just keep it simple and do what your family enjoys the most.
- Other Chili Sides – If you are looking for some other chili sides suggestions, we have our favorite sides here.
Topping Ideas
- Sour Cream
- More Cheese
- Green Onions
- Sliced Avocado
- Slice Jalapenos
- Chopped Cooked Bacon
Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese FAQ
Yes, dry pasta can be added toward the end of cooking so it doesn’t overcook.
In this recipe we prefer to cook our ground beef first before adding it to the slow cooker. This helps to drain off any excess grease.
If you have a slow cooker that you can cook the ground beef right in crock pot, then we recommend using that.
In this recipe we used chili beans but you can easily use whatever beans you have or prefer. You can use black beans, pinto beans, ranch style beans, or kidney beans. I have even made it with two different kinds of beans.
Make sure to drain the beans before adding to the slow cooker.
Elbow Macaroni works best in this recipe. We recommend using a smaller noodle for this recipe. We have also used ditalini noodle or a seashell shaped noodle and the chili mac recipe turned out amazing.
You can use whatever noodle that you have on hand.
Store leftovers is easy in this Chili Mac Recipe. Place in a airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge. This make a delicious lunch the next day. We recommend storing in individual containers.
Crockpot Chili Mac and Cheese can be stored in the freezer. Cool completely and place in a freezer safe container. If you have a lot leftover place in smaller portions.
The chili mac recipe will last about 6 months in the freezer, if stored properly. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat on the stove in a dutch oven or place back in the slow cooker on warm.
More Ground Beef Slow Cooker Recipes
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Hamburger Helper Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Taco Pasta
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Goulash
We love to hear from you! If you make this Crockpot Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Do you drain the beef and canned beans?
Yes, I did drain the ground beef and canned beans for this recipe.
Can the beans be omitted?
Yes. You do not have to include the beans.
Delicious and easy! I will definitely make this again! Big hit
Made this for dinner today and it was so yummy! I added an extra can of fire roasted tomatoes and some chopped green peppers. Definitely will make again!
Very easy recipe and so delicious!
The first fall crock pot recipe i will be trying is the Chili Mac & Cheese. Sounds wonderful. Now if the temps will just begin to feel fall like….
Do you think it will be fine to omit the crushed tomatoes, only put in double the diced tomatoes? Thanks! 🙂
Yes, that will work great!
Liked by all, delicious
For the chili Mac and cheese the recipe says put elbow in at the beginning and the directions say put in 30 before done. Which is correct and should the elbows be cooked first if only adding for 30minutes at the end.