Description
This Slow Cooker Cheesy Chili Mac is a comforting and hearty fusion dish perfect for cozy winter meals. Combining the rich flavors of chili with creamy cheddar and tender pasta, this easy slow cooker recipe delivers a satisfying main course with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef, pork, sausage, turkey, or chicken
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with liquid
- 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, rinsed and drained
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoons chili powder, to taste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups cooked pasta of your choice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- cooking spray
Toppings
- hot sauce
- thinly sliced green onion
- shredded cheese
- sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Turn the slow cooker on to high and coat the inside with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add Ground Meat: Crumble your chosen ground meat all over the bottom of the slow cooker evenly.
- Season Meat: Sprinkle dried thyme, black pepper or cayenne, salt, and chili powder evenly over the crumbled meat to distribute flavors.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour the canned diced tomatoes along with their juice over the seasoned meat.
- Mix Vegetables and Other Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped onion, celery, minced garlic, rinsed kidney beans (or chickpeas), corn, brown sugar, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to integrate all ingredients.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Pour the vegetable and sauce mixture over the meat and tomatoes in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and reduce the heat setting to low. Let it cook for 7 to 8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and meat to tenderize.
- Add Cheese: Remove the lid and stir the chili thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until the cheese melts completely and the chili becomes creamy.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your preferred pasta according to package instructions, usually about 10 minutes. Drain well.
- Serve: For best results, combine the cooked pasta with the cheesy chili just before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions, additional shredded cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce if desired. Enjoy your hearty meal!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, pork, or sausage for different flavors.
- Adjust chili powder quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Using fresh diced tomatoes can add freshness, but canned tomatoes work perfectly well.
- Cook pasta separately and add just before serving to prevent it from getting mushy in the slow cooker.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
