We all have those days where the idea of cooking a complicated meal feels impossible. You get home late, everyone is hungry, and you just want something comforting on the table without a sink full of dishes. That is exactly why I am always on the hunt for Easy Dinner Recipes For Family that deliver big flavor with minimal effort.
This Slow Cooker Chili Mac is quickly becoming a regular in my rotation. It combines the savory, deep flavors of a traditional chili with the creamy, cheesy satisfaction of macaroni and cheese. It is hearty, filling, and incredibly simple to throw together.
If you love Lazy Dinners that actually taste homemade, this recipe is for you. You essentially toss your ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do the heavy lifting. By the time dinner rolls around, the house smells amazing, and you are ready to serve a meal that feels like a warm hug.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to keep this recipe in your back pocket. First and foremost, it fits perfectly into the category of Dump And Go Crockpot Dinners. You do not need to stand over a stove stirring for hours. It is designed for busy parents and professionals who need time back in their day.
Another reason this dish shines is that it is one of those truly Kid Friendly Dinners. While some chilis can be too spicy or complex for younger palates, the addition of pasta and cheese mellows out the heat. It makes the dish approachable for picky eaters while still being flavorful enough for adults.
This meal is also incredibly budget friendly. Beans and pasta are inexpensive pantry staples that bulk up the meal, ensuring you get plenty of servings without breaking the bank. It is one of those Easy Dinner Recipes For Family that stretches your grocery dollar further.
Finally, the versatility here is fantastic. You can easily swap proteins or adjust the spice level. Whether you need Easy Meals For Dinner on a Tuesday or a hearty lunch for the weekend, this Chili Mac delivers every single time.
Ingredients
To make this delicious meal, you will need a handful of pantry staples and some fresh ingredients. Everything listed below comes together to create one of the most reliable Easy Dinner Recipes For Family you will try this year.
- 1 lb Extra Lean Ground Beef or Lean Ground Turkey (93% to 97% lean)
- 1 Yellow Onion, diced
- 4 large Garlic Cloves, pressed or finely minced
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder (mild)
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin
- 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt (or ¼ tsp table salt)
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 can Diced Green Chiles, mild
- 1 (14 oz) can Diced Tomatoes (with juice)
- 3 cups Beef Broth (low sodium)
- 2 teaspoons Beef Bouillon (such as Better Than Bouillon®)
- 2 (14 oz) cans Beans (red kidney, black, or pinto), drained and rinsed
- 1 (6 oz) can Tomato Paste
- 2 cups Small Elbow Macaroni (or 8 oz other pasta), dry
Garnish Options:
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Fresh Cilantro
- Diced Avocado
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making this dish is straightforward, which is exactly what you want when looking for Easy Meals For Dinner. Follow these simple steps to get dinner going.
Step 1: Combine Meat and Spices
Start by getting your slow cooker ready. Add the ground beef (or turkey), diced onion, minced garlic, bay leaf, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper into the slow cooker insert.
Give everything a good stir to break up the meat. Since this is one of those efficient Easy Dinner Recipes For Family, if you use extra lean meat, you do not need to cook it beforehand. However, if your beef has a higher fat content, quickly brown it in a skillet and drain the fat before adding it to the pot.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients and Beans
Next, pour in the diced green chiles, diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, beef bouillon, rinsed beans, and the tomato paste. Stir everything thoroughly until the tomato paste is dissolved and the mixture looks uniform.
This step highlights why people love Dump And Go Crockpot Dinners. Once the chopping is done, it is just a matter of combining ingredients and letting heat do the work.
Step 3: Slow Cook
Place the lid on your slow cooker. You have two options for timing. You can cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, which allows the flavors to deepen significantly. Alternatively, if you are short on time, cook on High for 3 to 4 hours.
During this time, the beef will cook through and absorb all those rich spices, creating a savory base that defines great Easy Dinner Recipes For Family.
Step 4: Add the Pasta
About 20 minutes before you are ready to serve, stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover and continue to cook on Low.
If you prefer to boil your pasta separately on the stove, you can do that too. In that case, just stir the cooked pasta into the chili right before serving. This is a great trick if you plan on freezing leftovers, as pasta can get soft when stored in liquid.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once the pasta is tender, give the chili mac a final taste test. Adjust the salt if necessary. Ladle it into bowls and top with generous amounts of shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or some fresh cilantro. Enjoy your homemade feast!
How To Store Leftovers
Proper storage is key to enjoying Lazy Dinners later in the week. This Chili Mac stores reasonably well, though the pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits.
Allow the leftovers to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. When reheating, you might notice the mixture has become thick. Simply add a splash of water or extra beef broth to loosen it up as you warm it in the microwave or on the stove.
If you plan to freeze this meal, it is best to freeze the chili base without the pasta. Pasta tends to become mushy when frozen and reheated in sauce. Freeze the chili portion in freezer safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat, thaw the chili, heat it up, and stir in freshly cooked macaroni for the best texture.
Tips
Here are a few pointers to ensure this becomes one of your favorite Easy Dinner Recipes For Family.
First, use a high quality smoked paprika. The smoky flavor mimics the taste of fire roasted ingredients and adds a depth that makes the dish taste like it cooked all day long. It is a small ingredient that makes a big difference in Easy Meals For Dinner.
If you decide to cook the pasta separately, adjust your liquid. The recipe calls for 3 cups of broth assuming the dry pasta will soak some of it up. If adding cooked pasta, start with 2 cups of broth in the slow cooker. You can add the third cup right at the end if you feel the chili is too thick.
For those needing strictly Kid Friendly Dinners, you can omit the cayenne pepper entirely. The chili powder and green chiles provide flavor without intense heat. Conversely, if your family loves spice, leave the seeds in the jalapeños or add a dash of hot sauce.
Lean meat is crucial if you want to skip the browning step. Using 93% lean beef or turkey means there is very little grease to skim off later. This keeps the prep time down to just 10 minutes, securing its spot as a top choice for Dump And Go Crockpot Dinners.
Conclusion
finding reliable, delicious, and Easy Dinner Recipes For Family does not have to be a struggle. This Slow Cooker Chili Mac proves that you can have a wholesome, homemade meal on the table with very little active effort. It is warm, cheesy, and packed with enough protein and fiber to keep everyone full.
Whether you serve it on a busy school night or for a casual weekend gathering, it is sure to be a hit. The combination of tender beef, beans, and soft pasta in a rich tomato sauce is classic comfort food at its finest. Plus, the ease of cleanup makes it one of the best Lazy Dinners around.
Give this recipe a try next time you are wondering what to make. It might just become the most requested dish in your house. Enjoy the cooking process and the delicious results!
FAQ
Can I Make This Gluten Free?
Yes, absolutely. To make this suitable for gluten free diets, simply substitute the regular macaroni with your favorite gluten free pasta. Be aware that gluten free pasta can become mushy faster than wheat pasta, so keep an eye on it if cooking it directly in the slow cooker, or cook it separately and add it just before serving.
Can I Use Chicken Instead of Beef?
You certainly can. Ground chicken works very well in this recipe and makes for a lighter version of Easy Dinner Recipes For Family. You could even use rotisserie chicken; just add the shredded cooked meat in the last hour of cooking so it does not dry out.
Is This Recipe Spicy?
As written, the recipe is mild to medium. The chili powder and green chiles add flavor rather than sharp heat. The cayenne pepper is the main source of heat, so if you are sensitive to spice or serving small children, feel free to leave the cayenne out. It will still be delicious.
Do I Have To Use A Slow Cooker?
While this is designed as one of our favorite Dump And Go Crockpot Dinners, you can make it on the stove. Brown the meat and onions in a large pot, add the garlic and spices, then add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer covered for about 30 to 45 minutes until the flavors meld, then add dry pasta and cook until tender.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
This comforting Slow Cooker Chili Mac combines the rich flavors of chili with creamy macaroni and cheese. It’s a hearty, easy family dinner, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal effort.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by getting your slow cooker ready. Add the ground beef (or turkey), diced onion, minced garlic, bay leaf, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper into the slow cooker insert. Give everything a good stir to break up the meat. If your beef has a higher fat content, quickly brown it in a skillet and drain the fat before adding it to the pot.
- Next, pour in the diced green chiles, diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, beef bouillon, rinsed beans, and the tomato paste. Stir everything thoroughly until the tomato paste is dissolved and the mixture looks uniform.
- Place the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours. During this time, the beef will cook through and absorb all those rich spices, creating a savory base.
- About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover and continue to cook on Low. If you prefer, boil your pasta separately and stir it into the chili right before serving.
- Once the pasta is tender, give the chili mac a final taste test. Adjust the salt if necessary. Ladle it into bowls and top with generous amounts of shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or some fresh cilantro. Enjoy your homemade feast!
Notes
Use a high-quality smoked paprika for deep flavor, mimicking fire-roasted ingredients.
If cooking pasta separately, reduce initial beef broth to 2 cups in the slow cooker, adding more if needed at the end.
For mild flavor, omit cayenne pepper. For extra spice, leave jalapeño seeds or add hot sauce.
Using 93%+ lean meat means no pre-browning needed, saving time for an easy dump-and-go meal.
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