Description
Hearty crockpot chili mac and cheese blends comfort food classics with a spicy twist. Creamy pasta and zesty ground beef simmer together, creating a satisfying meal that brings families around the table with warmth and flavor you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz / 170 g) tomato paste
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Transfer the seasoned meat mixture to the crockpot, combining with kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, concentrated tomato base, rich beef stock, and aromatic spices including chili powder, cumin, paprika, plus salt and pepper.
- Allow the mixture to simmer slowly on low temperature for 6-7 hours, developing deep, complex flavors.
- Approximately 35 minutes prior to serving, introduce uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the crockpot, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly.
- Continue cooking until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, absorbing the savory liquid and becoming tender.
- Fold in sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and creating a creamy, luxurious consistency.
- Ladle the hearty chili mac into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped green onions for added brightness and crisp texture.
Notes
- Perfectly brown ground beef by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding meat, preventing excess moisture and achieving a flavorful caramelized exterior.
- Drain fat thoroughly to reduce greasiness and create a lighter, healthier chili mac without compromising rich taste.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute regular macaroni with gluten-free pasta and ensure all canned ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Enhance protein content by adding black beans or kidney beans, creating a more nutritious and filling one-pot meal that stretches servings economically.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 482 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg