T's Crockpot Chili Mac

Hold the beans on my slow-cooked chili mac, please! I can't recall where I found this recipe, but it's a good one. Easily works as well, on the stovetop, if you need to eat sooner.

• Ready In: 5 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef or 1  lb turkey
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1  cup  chopped onion
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 1  tablespoon chili powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8  ounces elbow macaroni
•  grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, stirring to break up meat. Drain off fat.
2. Place cooked beef in slow cooker with remaining ingredients except elbow macaroni and cheese. Mix well.
3. Cook on LOW 4 hours
4. Cook macaroni according to pkg directions; drain.
5. Stir into crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW 1 hours.
6. Top each serving dish with grated cheese, if desired.
7. Note: if cooking on stovetop instead, cook elbow mac and drain. Brown meat as directed above. Add remaining ingredients except elbow mac and the cheese; and simmer 20 minute Stir in macaroni & top with cheese.