Description
Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible Chili Mac and Cheese, blending hearty flavors with creamy goodness. Slow-cooker magic turns simple ingredients into a soul-warming meal that welcomes everyone to the table with open arms.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (15 ounces) can kidney beans
- 1 (15 ounces) can black beans
Base and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 small onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 (1 ounce) packet chili seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Pasta and Cheese:
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese
Optional Garnish:
- Sliced green onions
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, incorporating diced onion and minced garlic during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Transfer the beef mixture to the crockpot, combining it with kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour beef broth into the crockpot, ensuring all ingredients are well mixed, then cover and slow cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, add uncooked macaroni to the crockpot, stirring gently to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
- Continue cooking until pasta reaches al dente consistency, typically 25-30 minutes on high setting.
- Remove lid and sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the top, stirring until completely melted and creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Allow the chili mac to rest for 5-10 minutes to thicken slightly before serving.
- Garnish with optional toppings like sour cream, chopped green onions, or additional shredded cheese for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by sautéing ground beef with a splash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper umami notes.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, leaner protein option that keeps the dish versatile.
- Prevent mushy pasta by adding macaroni during the last 30-40 minutes of cooking, ensuring perfectly al dente texture.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium broth and canned beans, making this hearty meal more heart-friendly without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg