Slow Cooker Chili Mac – Easy, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasing
This Slow Cooker Chili Mac combines the bold, comforting flavors of hearty chili with tender macaroni and a creamy cheese sauce. A filling family favorite perfect for busy weeknights!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chili:
1 pound ground turkey
15 oz canned light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
15 oz tomato sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
Pasta:
12 oz dried elbow noodles
Cheese Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup shredded colby jack or cheddar jack cheese (4 oz)
Instructions
1. Brown the ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat (or use a multi-cooker if available).
2. Transfer the cooked turkey to the slow cooker.
3. Add the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Stir to combine.
4. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
5. Cook the elbow noodles according to package directions. Drain well and add to the cooked chili in the slow cooker.
6. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
7. Whisk in the flour until smooth, then slowly pour in the milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Continue whisking as the sauce simmers for 3-4 minutes, until slightly thickened.
8. Stir in the shredded cheese until smooth, then remove from heat.
9. Pour the cheese sauce into the slow cooker and stir to combine everything.
10. Cover and let sit on low or warm for about 20 minutes to thicken before serving.
Notes
This dish is best served warm and thick after resting in the slow cooker. You can substitute ground beef or chicken for the turkey. For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or an additional pinch of chipotle chili powder. Leftovers reheat well for meal prep.
Find it online: https://cookingwithramsay.com/slow-cooker-chili-mac/