This budget-friendly and hearty ground beef dinner recipe will please the entire family with its big bold flavors, and lots and lots of melted cheese!
This easy chili mac recipe is one I've been making for many years, but I've not always made it in the slow cooker.
This easy frugal dinner recipe is one I remember my mom making when I was a kid, but I don't recall hers having as much zippy flavor as this one does. We can thank the addition of the fire-roasted chiles for that!
Jump to:
- Why this recipe works:
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How long does this recipe take to make from start to finish?
- How many people will this ground beef dinner serve?
- Can this meal be frozen after cooking?
- How to make slow cooker chili mac:
- Make it a full meal:
- Can ground turkey or chicken be substituted for ground beef in this recipe?
- Printable Recipe Card
- Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Why this recipe works:
The thing I love most about this recipe for slow cooker chili mac, besides the fact that it conjures up specific food memories from my childhood, is that it's a complete meal all in one dish.
It's got your protein from the ground beef and kidney beans. Your vegetables in the form of the corn, and the salsa. Your dairy from the cheddar cheese, and your starch in the form of the elbow macaroni.
It's a one-pot wonder and one I'll bet you'll rely heavily upon because if you have a well-stocked pantry, these are items you probably already have on hand.
The grocery list for slow cooker chili mac is relatively short, and most of what you'll need may already be in your pantry in the form of canned goods.
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- ground beef
- canned corn
- kidney beans
- fire-roasted chiles
- prepared salsa
- beef broth
- elbow macaroni
- onion
- garlic
- shredded cheddar cheese
- chili powder
- dried oregano
- ground cumin
- salt and pepper
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- 8-quart slow cooker
- large skillet
- wooden spoon or spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- cheese grater (optional)
- can opener
How long does this recipe take to make from start to finish?
It will take approximately 10 minutes to prepare everything for the cooker.
Once all the ingredients are in the cooker, cover, and set the time for 5 hours on low.
How many people will this ground beef dinner serve?
I calculated this dinner to be 8 servings, with each serving being two cups of chili mac.
That said if you're serving chili mac along with a side salad and maybe some biscuits you can most likely get away with one cup of chili mac per person.
Can this meal be frozen after cooking?
Yes!
That's another reason this is a budget meal. Depending on how many people you're serving, you can most likely get at least two meals out of this one recipe.
Store the cooked chili mac in an air-tight freezer container when completely cooled and store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
How to make slow cooker chili mac:
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onion until no longer pink.
- Stir in salt and pepper.
- Transfer the ground beef mixture to a slow cooker and add the corn, kidney beans, elbow macaroni, fire-roasted chiles, beef broth, garlic, and salsa.
- Stir well to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours.
- Uncover and stir again.
- Top with the shredded cheese.
- Cover until the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Make it a full meal:
*Sensational Salads Recipe Roundup
*Frozen Mango Strawberry Margaritas (pictured below)
Can ground turkey or chicken be substituted for ground beef in this recipe?
Yes! It will all work! Go for it!
When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!
Printable Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Equipment
- cheese grater optional
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper divided
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 15 ounce cans fiesta corn drained
- 1 15 ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 4 ounce can fire roasted chiles
- 1½ cups prepared salsa
- 2 cups beef broth or stock
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1½ teaspoons smoked cumin
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet brown the ground beef and onion.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
- Add the browned beef mixture into a large slow cooker.
- Add the corn, garlic, kidney beans, fire roasted chiles, salsa, beef broth, macaroni, chili powder, oregano, smoked cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper to the cooker.
- Mix well to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours.
- Uncover and add the shredded cheese.
- Cover until the cheese is melted (approximately 5 minutes)
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for Chili Mac in the slow cooker as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
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Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!!
Follow me across my social media platforms and join in on the conversation: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TIKTOK, AND YOUTUBE.
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!!
Lisalia says
Yummy! I'm always up for a good chili variation. This is delicious.
Kelly Anthony says
Chili mac is seriously one of the most COMFORTING dishes ever! Exactly what we could all use these days 🙂
Justine says
This is so good! One of my family's favorite meals!
Katie says
This looks so good! Can't wait to try it.
Kathleen Leverett says
Hi there! I love this kind of recipe and happen to have all the ingredients. This will serve us well during our days at home here. I’ll probably make on stovetop, as I have all the time I need now! I like the multiples of pictures, great for cooks at all levels, but especially those starting out,, and kids.
Renée says
I'm so glad you like this recipe, Kathleen! Making it on the stovetop will work equally as well as in the slow cooker.
I like to do both depending on the amount of time I have.
I appreciate you taking the time to leave a friendly comment!
Please enjoy the chili mac, and take good care of yourself!
Renee
Richa says
Your step by step instructions are awesome!
Renée says
Thank you so much. I'm glad you find them helpful!!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I love this recipe combination!! This is a must try this fall and winter!!!
Renée says
Thanks, Jocelyn! You're going to love it!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
Renee-that bowl! Did you make it? And where can I get one?
Renée says
I did make the bowl, actually. About 10 years ago in a pottery class. It's an original and only one of a kind 😉