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Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac

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 Recipe

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

easy vegetarian slow cooker chili with macaroni

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!

This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac Recipe is made all 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.

vegetarian chili mac

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!

crock pot chili mac recipe

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!

easy vegetarian slow cooker chili with macaroni

For even more flavor, grate your cheddar from a block.

I love doing this to take the flavor to the next level!

crock pot vegetarian dinner recipe

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!)

meatless chili mac

And reason #4? That cheese.

I mean really, do you need another reason after that picture?!

I’m a cheese lover through and through.

crock pot pasta recipe with chili

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.

slow cooker vegetarian chili mac

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.

crock pot dinner

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

vegetarian crock pot chili mac

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.

slow cooker recipe

If you need a quick, cheap, filling, CHEESY dinner in your life, try this slow cooker vegetarian chili mac!

More crock pot recipes 

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easy crockpot chili mac recipe

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac Recipe is made all in the crockpot (even the noodles!). A super easy vegetarian crockpot recipe to feed a crowd. #vegetarian #slowcooker #crockpot #chilimac

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac

Yield: 10 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac Recipe is made all in the crockpot (even the noodles!). A super easy vegetarian crockpot recipe to feed a crowd.

Ingredients

  • 10 cloves of 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
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni noodles, uncooked
  • 3 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • fresh chopped parsley, for serving

Instructions

  1. Add garlic and onion to a skillet with 1 teaspoon of olive oil
  2. Saute 10-15 minutes, or until onion is translucent
  3. 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
  4. Cook on high for 2 - 2.5 hours, until bubbly and onions are no longer crunchy
  5. 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
  6. Once noodles are desired texture, stir in cheddar cheese
  7. Serve garnished with chopped parsley and additional cheddar cheese, if desired

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 371Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 1208mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 8gSugar: 9gProtein: 19g

Did you make this recipe?

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Anne

Monday 29th of January 2024

Can this be made ahead and frozen?

Joy Shull

Wednesday 7th of February 2024

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!

Beverly

Wednesday 3rd of January 2024

Delicious!!!!!

Ashley

Friday 19th of August 2022

I’ve been making a similar recipe for years, however that one requires precooking the meat, onion, and noodles. That always seemed kind of ‘fussy’ for a slow cooker recipe. This was SO much easier and very flavorful. I ended up just throwing the raw onion and garlic into the slow cooker with everything else and it came out great!

Joy Shull

Monday 29th of August 2022

So glad you enjoyed the recipe!

Laurie Kinney

Monday 4th of January 2021

Hi, Is it really 10 cloves of garlic? I've never cooked with that much garlic before.

Joy Shull

Wednesday 6th of January 2021

Yes, that is correct. This makes a ton of chili. You can use less if you like :)

Nathalie

Sunday 25th of October 2020

Very tasty! Perfect for a cold fall day. Easy comfort food. I added ground beef to this recipe.

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