Slow Cooker Crockpot Chili Mac and Cheese

This Slow Cooker Chili Mac and Cheese is hearty, delicious, and loaded with beef and veggies. Load up your Crockpot for this easy weeknight dinner.

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This post was originally published in 2017. It has since been updated.

Are yall ready for two of my favorite things? Mac and cheese + chili! What a combination.

What Type of Pasta to Use

Elbow macaroni is typically used. You can also use cellentani. It has a corkscrew shape and a ridged surface which works great in a dish like this. In general, use whatever you like.

Do You Have to Cook the Beef First?

No. You can cook raw ground beef in the slow cooker. I don’t because you will get more flavor from the beef if you sear and cook it in a pan. This will caramelize the beef, along with the vegetables which simply provides immense flavor, along with my Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe.

You can skip this step and add your raw meat to the Crockpot if you wish. Raw beef will cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High. You risk the pasta getting mushy with this cook time, so I recommend cooking the pasta on the stove and adding it at the end along with the cheese.

What Type of Beans to Use

You can use whatever you like. Just about anything will pair nicely. You can use red kidney beans, black beans, chili beans or any legumes. Be sure to drain your beans first.

What Type of Cheese to Use

I like to use a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack. For cheddar, you have options, mild, medium, sharp, extra sharp, etc. Aging is the only difference between mild and sharp Cheddars. The longer cheese is aged naturally, the sharper and more pronounced the Cheddar flavor becomes.

Mild Cheddar cheese is generally aged for 2 to 3 months, whereas an extra sharp might be aged for as long as a year.

Mild cheddar has a creamy, subtle taste.
Medium cheddar has a little more flavor in comparison to mild, but it lacks the distinct bite found in sharp cheddar.
Sharp cheddar has a distinct and prominent flavor.
Extra sharp cheddar has a very pronounced and sharp taste. (I typically don’t cook with it and use it for wine pairings and Charcuterie Cheese Boards.)

Taking all of this into account, sharp is typically my go-to for mac and cheese.

How to Make Slow Cooker Crockpot Chili Mac and Cheese

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground beef and the chili seasoning. Break down the ground beef with a meat chopper.
3. Stir and cook until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the beef if necessary.
4. Add in red peppers, green peppers, onions, and garlic.
5. Add the cooked beef and vegetables to the slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients (with the exception of the cheese).
6. Slow cook.
7. Add the cheese before serving.

How to Make it Spicy

I’m a huge fan of spicy chili so I add a tablespoon of red cayenne pepper. If you want it to be slightly spicy, use a teaspoon and build from there if you wish.

If you don’t want it spicy omit the cayenne pepper completely. You may also need to test out the chili powder you use as well if you are extremely sensitive to spice. Sometimes, people report chili powder as spicy, but it should not be.

Topping Ideas

• Shredded Cheese
• Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• Jalapenos
• Cooked and Crumbled Bacon
• Sliced Avocado

How to Make it on the Stovetop

Cook your pasta in accordance with the package instructions. Follow the instructions for how to cook the vegetables and ground beef.

Once cooked add the pasta, cooked vegetables and ground beef, and the remaining ingredients (with the exception of the cheese) to a Dutch oven or soup pot. Simmer for 25-30 minutes and then add the cheese.

How Long Will it Last in the Fridge

You can store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days, tightly covered.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze this tightly sealed for up to 6 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight. When you reheat there will likely be some separation due to the dairy and cheese.

Cornbread Recipes to Pair with Chili

Homemade Southern Cornbread
Cornbread Muffins
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Honey Cornbread
Air Fryer Cornbread
Pumpkin Cornbread
Keto Low Carb Cornbread
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Homemade Maple Butter
Cornbread Casserole
Homemade Blueberry Cornbread
Sweet Potato Cornbread

Mac and Cheese and Pasta Recipes

Seafood Mac and Cheese
Southern Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Bacon Gouda Mac and Cheese
Seafood Stuffed Pasta Shells
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Southern Chicken Spaghetti
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Chicken Mac and Cheese

More Chili Recipes

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot Beef Chili
Keto Low Carb Beef Chili
Pumpkin Chili
Sweet Potato Chili
Leftover Turkey Chili
Creamy Seafood Chili
Buffalo Chicken Chili
Chili Cheese Fries
Butternut Squash Chili
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

Check out all of our Chili Recipes and Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo, and Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup here.