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    Home » Slow Cooker Recipes

    Published: Mar 19, 2020 · Modified: May 7, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    Slow-Cooker Chili Mac

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    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! 

    A pottery bowl filled with slow cooker chili mac topped with shredded 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!

    **Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making super cheesy slow cooker chili mac is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe. 

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    Closeup vertical image of slow cooker chili mac on a fork with corn.

    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.

    Hearty Slow Cooker Chili Mac close-up image | Kudos Kitchen by Renee

    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.
    How to make Slow Cooker Chili Mac
    • 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.
    How to make slow cooker chili mac
    How to make slow cooker chili mac
    How to make slow cooker chili mac
    • Uncover and stir again.
    • Top with the shredded cheese.
    • Cover until the cheese is melted.
    • Serve hot and enjoy!
    How to make slow cooker chili mac

    Collage image of budget-friendly slow cooker chili mac recipe with ground beef, elbow macaroni, corn, and cheese.

    Delicious dishes to serve alongside slow cooker chili mac:

    *Sensational Salads Recipe Roundup

    *Cornmeal Yeast Bread

    *Frozen Mango Strawberry Margaritas (pictured below)

    Frozen Mango Strawberry Margaritas Recipe

    Can ground turkey or chicken be substituted for ground beef in this recipe?

    Yes! It will all work! Go for it!

    A title text image of budget-friendly slow cooker chili mac dinner recipe with corn, ground beef, and cheddar cheese.

    Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's easy and economical ground beef dinner recipe.

    Slow Cooker Chili Mac with Cheddar Cheese

    Slow Cooker Chili Mac

    Renee Goerger
    This Hearty Slow Cooker Chili Mac will please the entire family with its big bold flavors, and lots and lots of melted cheese!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 5 hrs
    Total Time 5 hrs 10 mins
    Course Slow Cooker - Main Course
    Cuisine American Comfort Food
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 491 kcal

    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)
    • Serve hot.

    Notes

    Tools and equipment:
    Large skillet, wooden spoon or spatula, chefs knife and cutting board, large slow cooker, measuring cups, measuring spoons, serving spoon

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 32gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 1418mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Closeup photo of slow cooker chili mac on a fork.

    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.

    Custom Renee Signature

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisalia says

      March 31, 2020 at 8:38 am

      Yummy! I'm always up for a good chili variation. This is delicious.

      Reply
    2. Kelly Anthony says

      March 31, 2020 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      Chili mac is seriously one of the most COMFORTING dishes ever! Exactly what we could all use these days 🙂

      Reply
    3. Justine says

      March 20, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      This is so good! One of my family's favorite meals!

      Reply
    4. Katie says

      March 20, 2020 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      This looks so good! Can't wait to try it.

      Reply
    5. Kathleen Leverett says

      March 20, 2020 at 7:52 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 20, 2020 at 8:03 am

        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

        Reply
    6. Richa says

      September 07, 2017 at 7:36 am

      Your step by step instructions are awesome!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        September 07, 2017 at 7:58 am

        Thank you so much. I'm glad you find them helpful!!

        Reply
    7. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

      September 05, 2017 at 1:38 pm

      I love this recipe combination!! This is a must try this fall and winter!!!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        September 07, 2017 at 7:59 am

        Thanks, Jocelyn! You're going to love it!

        Reply
    8. Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says

      September 04, 2017 at 11:43 pm

      Renee-that bowl! Did you make it? And where can I get one?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        September 05, 2017 at 9:09 am

        I did make the bowl, actually. About 10 years ago in a pottery class. It's an original and only one of a kind 😉

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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