5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cheesy Beef Chili
When the temperatures drop and you’re craving something warm and comforting, this 5-ingredient slow cooker cheesy beef chili delivers big flavor with almost no effort. It’s rich, thick, and irresistibly creamy one of those cozy cold-weather chili recipes where everything simmers together into a bowl of pure comfort.
This easy crockpot chili recipe is inspired by classic Midwestern cooking, where simple ingredients and slow simmering create meals that bring everyone to the table. With just ground beef, chili beans, tomatoes, seasoning, and plenty of melty cheese, this dish proves that you don’t need a long ingredient list to make a hearty, satisfying dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Beef Chili:
Only 5 ingredients simple, affordable, and pantry-friendly
Slow cooker convenience hands-off cooking with maximum flavor
High-protein and filling keeps everyone full and satisfied
Kid-friendly & customizable mild, creamy, and easy to adjust
Perfect for leftovers tastes even better the next day
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
1½ pounds ground beef
2 cans (15 oz each) chili beans in sauce, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
2 tablespoons chili powder (or your favorite chili seasoning blend)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping, if desired)
Instructions:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
Transfer the cooked beef to your slow cooker.
Add the chili beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and chili powder. Stir until everything is well combined.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until hot and flavorful.
About 15–20 minutes before serving, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Cover again and let it melt into a creamy, cheesy chili.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with extra cheese on top.
Serving Ideas & Variations:
This cheesy crockpot chili is delicious on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with cornbread, dinner rolls, or cheesy garlic bread. For a fun family dinner, set up a chili bar with toppings like sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, green onions, jalapeños, or avocado.
