Crock Pot Chili Mac

Cold winter nights got you down? Make this delicious Crock Pot Chili Mac! The chili is slow cooked all day long and then the pasta is added at the end to finish off the recipe. It’s a great weeknight dinner night without much fuss that the entire family will enjoy.

We love making chili in our crock pot because the flavors are so amazing from simmering all day long, but the kids love pasta for dinner every night of the week. That’s why this Crock Pot chili mac is the best of both worlds. A base of chili that you add pasta to at the end of it’s cooking time.

It’s a hearty and delicious dinner that’s just perfect for busy weeknights when I just need to get a good meal on the table. I serve it up with easy sides, like cheesy garlic bread, and everyone gobbles it right up! Just the heartiest, most cozy meal. A classic comfort food that will never get old.

Why You’ll Love this Crock Pot Chili Mac

• Chili mac in the crock pot simmers all day for an amazing flavor. All you have to do is add the pasta when you come home!
• Prep this dish the night before you plan to make it, then just toss the ingredients into the crock pot and turn it on. It’s such an easy dinner!
• This crock pot chili make is hearty and filling for a comforting dinner that’s a great go-to during the week!

Ingredients for Crock Pot Chili Mac

• Ground Beef – Use a lean ground beef so there’s not a lot of extra grease. No matter what ground beef you use make sure to drain off any excess grease after browning the hamburger. You can also use ground turkey or a mix of ground beef and ground Italian sausage to mix up the flavor combos.
• Onion – A quick tip is to always have frozen diced onions in the freezer so you don’t have to chop the onions!
• Tomato juice – Using tomato juice as the liquid to cook the noodles makes this crockpot chili mac so flavorful.
• Diced tomatoes – If you have picky eaters use a petite diced tomato to sneak them by!
• Celery ribs – Feel free to omit this if you’re not a fan of celery.
• Brown sugar – Add a touch of sweetness to this chili mac with a dash of brown sugar.
• Chili powder – Feel free to adjust this. This is a mild chili, so if you want it to have more of a kick then add more chili powder.
• Salt & black pepper – Season up your chili mac with a bit of salt and pepper.
• Prepared yellow mustard – A bit of yellow mustard adds so much flavor to this chili mac! It’s my secret ingredient.
• Kidney beans – You could also use chili beans, but do not rinse them. It will add a bit more spice to your chili because of the sauce.
• Elbow macaroni – Any short pasta should work if you don’t have elbow macaroni.

How to Make Crock Pot Chili Mac

Add the ground beef and diced onion to a skillet and cook over medium heat. When there’s no pink left in the beef, drain off the excess grease.

Place the cooked beef into the slow cooker and then add all of the remaining ingredients except the pasta.

Cook the chili on low 6-8 hours.

One hour before the dish is done, add the pasta and cook for an additional hour.

When the pasta is tender, the chili mac is ready to be served! Enjoy!

Toppings for Chili Mac

Set out your favorite toppings when you make this so everyone can add their special touch to their bowl of chili mac. This is a great idea if you are hosting a chili bar too.

• shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream or Greek yogurt
• corn chips
• green onion
• cottage cheese
• avocado
• sliced jalapenos

How To Store Leftover Crock Pot Chili Mac

Allow leftovers of this chili mac recipe to cool completely, then store in an airtight container.

FRIDGE: Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

FREEZER: Leftover chili mac can be frozen in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How to Reheat Chili Mac

While you can reheat leftovers in the microwave, I always recommend reheating on the stovetop. Keep in mind that the noodles may have absorbed some extra liquid, so you may need to add a splash of chicken broth or tomato juice when reheating.

What else can I add to chili mac?

To make your chili mac more spicy, mix in some green chiles or add extra chili powder — red pepper works too. You can also add more beans or swap out the kidney beans. Black beans and pinto beans both work! For extra extra flavor, use some minced garlic or other spices and seasonings (like cumin) in your chili.

What to serve with Crock Pot Chili Mac

The easiest way to round out this meal is to toss together a salad or buy a salad kid at the store. Or you can make some super easy air fryer garlic bread.

Roasted vegetables are another way I like finish off this meal and you can never go wrong with these quick and easy cheddar bay biscuits either! For a tasty classic, make some fresh cornbread. Or go with a lighter side like creamy coleslaw.

This easy peasy recipe is perfect for those chilly winter months! Stay warm and cozy with a heart dinner like this one.

More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love!

• This easy Crock Pot Spaghetti is a total game changer for pasta night around our house.
• On an extra cold day, make this Crock Pot Beef Stew to keep those bellies warm and full!
• Make taco Tuesday extra easy with this Crockpot Chicken Tacos recipe.
• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are a fantastic hearty protein to serve with your favorite side dishes.