Who doesn’t love a hearty, delicious, and nutritious meal that is easy to prepare and satisfies every member of the family? The Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Chili Mac ticks all those boxes and then some. This amazing meal seamlessly combines the richness of chili with the comfort of mac and cheese, creating a delightful fusion that will make your taste buds sing. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to prepare this magnificent dish.
Introduction to Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Chili Mac
Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Chili Mac is a unique and flavorful dish that is not just tasty but also filled with nutritional goodness. Its main ingredients consist of three different types of beans, a medley of peppers, and whole-wheat elbow macaroni, all brought together in a rich and spicy tomato sauce.
The Magic of Slow Cooking
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the magic of slow cooking. The slow cooker does all the hard work for you, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully over several hours. This hands-off cooking method gives you the freedom to go about your day without worrying about constantly checking on your meal.
Gathering Your Ingredients
As with any recipe, the first step is to gather all your needed ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Frozen tricolor bell peppers
- No-salt-added red kidney beans
- No-salt-added pinto beans
- No-salt-added black beans
- No-salt-added fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- Mexican-blend cheese
- Unsalted vegetable broth
- Canned hot tomato sauce
- Evaporated milk
- Reduced-fat cream cheese
- Low-sodium chili seasoning mix
- Cornstarch
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Whole-wheat elbow macaroni
- Scallions
Preparing Your Ingredients
Before you start cooking, it’s crucial to prepare your ingredients. Rinse your canned beans to remove any excess sodium and defrost your frozen peppers. Be sure to have your cheese shredded and ready to go.
Combining Your Ingredients
After you have prepared all your ingredients, it’s time to combine them. Place your frozen peppers, beans, tomatoes, half of your cheese, broth, hot tomato sauce, evaporated milk, cream cheese, chili seasoning, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into your slow cooker. Stir until well combined.
Cooking Your Meal
Now that all the ingredients are in the slow cooker, it’s time to let the magic happen. Set your slow cooker to high and let it cook for three hours. You’ll know it’s done when the flavors have melded together beautifully, and the aroma fills your kitchen.
Adding the Pasta
After the three hours have passed, it’s time to add your pasta. There are two ways to do this. You can either cook your pasta separately and add it in at the end of cooking, or you can cook it directly in the slow cooker. Both methods work great, but cooking the pasta in the slow cooker allows it to absorb all the flavors of the chili.
Garnishing Your Meal
Once your pasta is cooked and added to the slow cooker, it’s time to garnish your dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, along with some sliced scallions. This will add a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor to your dish.
Serving Your Meal
Now that your Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Chili Mac is ready, it’s time to serve it. This dish is best served hot, straight from the slow cooker. You can serve it in bowls, garnished with some extra scallions for added flavor and color.
The Nutritional Value
Aside from being delicious, this meal is also packed with nutritional goodness. It’s high in fiber, protein, and is low in sodium. Additionally, it’s a great source of vitamins and minerals like potassium.
Making it Your Own
One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to add your own twist to it.
