Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac
on Sep 13, 2019, Updated Jun 13, 2024
This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac Recipe is made all in the crock pot (even the noodles!) Make chili in the slow cooker, stir in some macaroni noodles and cheese and you have yourself some easy and delicious chili mac!
Slow cooker vegetarian chili mac is what’s for dinner and I can’t wait to share the recipe with you!
Chili is a fall favorite recipe that I always find myself craving as soon as that first few morning chills hit.
This recipe is so simple to make, and tastes incredible.
This is the first recipe I’ve tried from a blog that has not disappointed my family. My finished dish looked like the pictures above. It was easy to follow and then turned out delicious. – Natalie
This recipe takes traditional chili to the next level but adding macaroni noodles and cheddar cheese to make the classic favorite chili mac!
It’s one of my favorite ways to cook pasta in a crock pot.
That’s right, everything (including the noodles) cooks right in the crock pot!
How to make slow cooker vegetarian chili mac
First, you will cook your fresh garlic and onion until soft.
These give the chili mac tons of flavor, but you don’t want to end up with crunchy onions, so we are going to cook them first before adding to the slow cooker.
Add your cooked garlic and onion, and all the ingredients for the chili to the slow cooker.
Cook on high for 2 or 2 and a half hours, until chili is hot and bubbly and totally cooked.
Once the chili is done, add in your uncooked macaroni noodles and cook an additional 20 – 40 minutes.
Tips for cooking your pasta in the crockpot
To avoid mushy macaroni noodles, keep a close eye on them while cooking.
Since the chili is already hot, the noodles will cook very quickly.
You want to cook them to al dente and no longer to avoid losing all the texture.
This should take no more than 20 – 40 minutes, but I usually find it is on the shorter side for me!
Check the noodles often to avoid overcooking them.
Once your noodles are done, stir in the cheddar cheese and garnish with fresh parsley and you are ready to eat!
This recipe makes a ton and is great for leftovers!
Can we just take a second to talk about that cheese though.
You just can’t make chili mac without a good amount of cheddar cheese!
For even more flavor, grate your cheddar from a block.
I love doing this to take the flavor to the next level!
Chili is a great dish to make during the fall and winter for three reasons.
1. It’s super easy (lazy dinners are the best!)
2. It feeds a crowd (yay for leftovers!)
3. It is not only filling, cozy comfort food, but it is also super affordable (no fancy expensive ingredients!)
And reason #4? That cheese.
I mean really, do you need another reason after that picture?!
I’m a cheese lover through and through.
This recipe makes a HUGE amount, so I recommend a 6 quart or larger slow cooker.
You really cannot fit it in a smaller slow cooker because it easily fills the entire 6 qt one.
If all you have is a smaller slow cooker, you should cut the recipe in half to ensure you have enough room.
Can I use another type of noodle?
You can use any macaroni noodles in this recipe, but I have only tested normal white noodles.
If you use gluten free or whole wheat, keep in mind that it could change the cook time.
Just keep a close eye to avoid overcooking.
This slow cooker vegetarian chili mac is so easy that you don’t even have to cook the noodles first.
No rinsing or anything at all.
Just pour them straight from the box!
If you’ve tried other crockpot recipes from my blog, you know that I love a good slow cooker dinner with noodles that cook themselves.
Less work for me!
Seriously this is so good and has become a staple at our house. It’s perfect for busy nights where I need a no-fuss dinner and some comfort food. Even all of my picky kids eat it with zero complaints. – Cassandra
Crock pots are the magical kitchen appliance that I tend to forget about every summer and fall back in love with every fall.
Let’s be honest, I don’t always have time to make meals from scratch every night.
As a busy mom, some days it’s just about keeping the child alive and somewhat entertained let alone making dinner.
If you need a quick, cheap, filling, CHEESY dinner in your life, try this slow cooker vegetarian chili mac!
More crock pot recipes
- Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili
- Easy Crock pot Baked Ziti
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili
- Crock pot Stuffed Peppers
- Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili
- Crock pot No Velveeta Queso
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 15 oz kidney beans, drained
- 15 oz chili beans, do not drain
- 15 oz sliced stewed tomatoes, do not drain
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 15 oz diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 lb elbow macaroni noodles, uncooked
- 3 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- fresh chopped parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Add garlic and onion to a skillet with 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- Saute 10-15 minutes, or until onion is translucent
- Add garlic and onion, kidney beans, chili beans, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, fire roasted tomatoes, vegetable broth, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne to a 6 quart slow cooker
- Cook on high for 2 – 2.5 hours, until bubbly and onions are no longer crunchy
- Add in uncooked macaroni noodles and cook an additional 15 – 40 minutes. The noodles will cook quickly, so check often until al dente to avoid mushy noodles
- Once noodles are desired texture, stir in cheddar cheese
- Serve garnished with chopped parsley and additional cheddar cheese, if desired
Hi, what does “chili beans” mean? I’ve never seen those in stores and I don’t see any clarifying information in the recipe as to what exactly those are.
You can find them in the same aisle as the other beans! They usually contain pinto beans with chili seasonings and tomato sauce and you do not drain them when adding to a recipe.
I love this recipe and so does my family. We have it regularly-thanks for posting it!
So glad you and your family enjoyed it! 🙂
I made this twice, followed the recipe and always have extra juice in pot. What am I doing wrong and why doesn’t it look like yours?
We really like it though!
Can this be made ahead and frozen?
I have not tried freezing it, but typically cooked pasta does not freeze the same texture as when it was fresh. If anyone has frozen this let me know!