• Home
    • Recipes
      • Recipe Index
      • How-To & Cooking Tutorials
      • Popular Recipes
    • Meal Plans
      • Weekly Meal Plans
      • Freezer Meal Plans
      • The ORIGINAL 20 Meals for $150 Plans
    • Classes
      • Grocery Savings 101 Workshop
      • Freezer Cooking 101 Workshop
      • Meal Planning 101 Workshop
      • Whis-Kid Cooking Lessons
      • Instant Pot Cooking 101 Course
      • My Efficient Kitchen Course
    • Store
    • Blog
    • Contact
      • About
      • Press
    • Login

    $5 Dinners | Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals

    Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals and Cooking Tutorials for the Busy Home Chef

    Join Erin's 5-Ingredient Challenge in 2023

    Slow Cooker Chili Mac

    January 3, 2014 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

    158 shares
    • Share10
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sign up to receive FREE weekly emails with recipes, coupons and other money saving tips right into your inbox. Become a friend on Facebook too AND/OR join the $5 Meal Plan Family and get meal plans delivered to you each week!

    Slow Cooker Chili Mac

    This recipe is part of our 6th Costco Meal Plan: 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Packs from Costco for $150!

    Stop.

    Before you go any further.

    YOU NEED TO READ THESE DIRECTIONS.

    (Ok, do I have your attention?)

    I don’t want you to miss this.

    Do not. I repeat DO NOT. DON’T. DO.NOT. add the pasta when you start the slow cooker in the morning. It will turn to complete MUSH. YUCK!

    Please read the recipe directions carefully, as I’ll tell you when you need to add the pasta. (More on that here too.)

    Also, a few notes and modifications ideas for this recipe:

    • Broth – I wrote in 2-3 cups of broth for this, but you’ll need to make depending on how soupy you want it and how much steam your slow cooker releases. I make closer to the 2 cup range because my boys prefer to eat this ‘chunky’ as opposed to soupy. And my slow cooker doesn’t let too much steam out. Feel free to adjust to your preferences and liking.
    • Box vs. Bouillon – it’s much cheaper to go the bouillon route and super simple to add to recipes like this one. If you prefer the box, that works too! See note in the directions about whether or not to add the broth to the freezer bag.
    • Gluten Free Modification: Use GF pasta in place of the regular wheat pasta.
    • Whole 30 or Paleo Modifications: Omit the black beans and pasta. Add carrots, parsnips or butternut squash (recipe here). Serve with some fresh fruit or oven roasted green beans.

    Note: I’ve written the recipe below to be based on the shopping list for the 6th plan in the 20 Meals from Costco for $150 series.

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Recipe Saved!

    Slow Cooker Chili Mac

    Slow Cooker chili mac - please read carefully for when to add the pasta!
    Prep Time15 minutes
    Cook Time8 hours
    Servings - 4 servings

    Ingredients 

    • 1 lb. ground beef
    • 1 Tbsp mincedonion
    • 1 tsp 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 15 oz. can black beans drained
    • 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
    • 2 Tbsp chili powder
    • 1 tsp ground cumin
    • 2 cups chicken broth (from box or bouillon)
    • 16 oz. small shell pasta noodles (Use GF noodles for GF dinner!)
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese optional topping
    • Side: Frozen or canned corn

    Instructions

    • Brown and drain the ground beef.
    • Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker except the pasta and cheese.
    • Set slow cooker on low and cook for 8 hours, or high for 6 hours. If cooking from partially frozen, you'll need to cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, depending on how frozen the pack is when you start cooking it.
    • When there is 1 hour left in the cooking cycle, add the pasta plus 2 cups of hot water. You might need to add a little more liquid, depending on how much liquid is already in there.
    • To pack into gallon size freezer baggie: Label. Then, follow the same directions in the first 2 bullets. Let the browned ground beef cool for a few minutes before adding it to the bag. If you wish to leave the broth out, then freeze without the broth and make a note on the bag that you need to add the broth.Place in the fridge to let theground beefcool completely before adding to the freezer. (This will help prevent freezer burn.)Remove as much air as you can and seal. Freeze up to 6 months in your fridge freezer or 12 months in a deep freezer.
    • Tothaw, place the bags in the fridge overnight. Or quick thaw in a bowl of warm water.
    158 shares
    • Share10
    • Tweet

    Filed Under: Beans Recipes, Beef Recipes, Budget Friendly Recipes, Freezer Recipes and Freezer Meal Plans, Pasta Recipes, Slow Cooker Recipes, Soup Recipes

    These meals are a LIFESAVER!

    Want a set of our best selling freezer meal bag holders?! You can now order them right here!

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    I’m Erin Chase…

    Also known as the
    $5 Dinner Mom.

    I have a little problem. I cannot make a meal that costs more than $5.
    It’s a fun challenge,
    and my pocketbook
    thanks me.
    Want to join me?

    Learn more here!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Search $5 Dinners

    Favorite Meal Planning & Cooking Resources

    Whis-Kid Cooking Lessons Grocery Budget Makeover My Freezeasy Erin Chase Store 5DD Freebie Library 20 Meals for $150 Plans

    © 2023 5 Dollar Dinners | Disclosure Policy | Copyright Information | Terms of Service/Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Design & Tech Support by Klong Designs



    Copyright © 2023 · 5 Dollar Dinners Genesis Child Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in