Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Crockpot Mac and Cheese is made in a slow cooker with uncooked pasta, plenty of shredded cheese, milk, cream, and butter. The best part is the creamy sauce that comes together while the crockpot does most of the work. As it cooks, the kitchen fills with the warm smell of butter, cheese, and garlic, and the macaroni turns tender in the rich sauce. Make this Crockpot Mac and Cheese for a simple family meal, a cozy weekend lunch, or an easy side dish when you do not want to use the stovetop.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Mac And Cheese

• Simple ingredients: This recipe uses elbow macaroni, shredded cheese, dairy, butter, and a few seasonings.
• Slow cooker method: The crockpot handles the cooking while you take care of other parts of the meal.
• Creamy texture: Milk, heavy cream, butter, and melted cheese create a rich sauce around the pasta.
• Easy comfort food: Warm macaroni and cheese works well as a main dish or a side.
• Little prep work: You only need to add the ingredients to the crockpot and stir them together.

How To Make Crockpot Mac And Cheese

Add the uncooked macaroni, shredded cheese, milk, heavy cream, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the crockpot. Stir everything well so the ingredients are spread evenly. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Stir once or twice while it cooks, then check that the pasta is tender and the cheese has melted before serving it warm.

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or a blend)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Add the uncooked macaroni, shredded cheese, milk, heavy cream, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to a crockpot.
2. Stir well to combine the ingredients.
3. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring once or twice during cooking.
4. Check that the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted.
5. Serve the mac and cheese warm.

How To Serve Crockpot Mac And Cheese

Serve Crockpot Mac and Cheese as a main dish with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables. It also makes a creamy side for roasted or grilled meat. For a casual meal, add fresh fruit or a piece of bread.

This dish fits well on a family dinner table, at a potluck, or as part of a comfort-food spread. Serve it warm from the slow cooker so the cheese sauce stays soft and creamy. If you like extra seasoning, add a little more salt or pepper at the table.

How To Store Crockpot Mac And Cheese

Place leftover mac and cheese in a covered container and refrigerate it within two hours of serving. It can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. The pasta may absorb some of the sauce as it sits, so leftovers can become thicker.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring as needed, until warm. You can also reheat leftovers gently in a saucepan, stirring often. Add a small amount of milk while reheating if the mac and cheese seems too thick. Freezing is not recommended for this recipe because the creamy dairy sauce may change texture after thawing.

Tips For Making Crockpot Mac And Cheese

• Use uncooked pasta: Add the elbow macaroni dry, just as listed in the recipe.
• Stir during cooking: Stir once or twice while the mac and cheese cooks to help distribute the cheese and dairy.
• Keep the lid covered: Cover the crockpot during cooking so the pasta can cook properly.
• Check the pasta: Begin checking after 2 hours to see if the macaroni is tender.
• Choose your cheese: Use shredded cheddar or a blend, depending on the flavor you want.
• Serve it warm: The sauce is easiest to serve while the cheese is melted and the dish is warm.

Variations

• Ingredient swap: Use a cheese blend instead of cheddar for a different cheese flavor.
• Add-in option: Stir in an extra seasoning or another ingredient you enjoy, but keep the original amounts as the base recipe.
• Different cooking method: You can prepare macaroni and cheese in a pot on the stovetop instead of using the crockpot, adjusting the method and cooking time as needed.

FAQs

Can I Use A Different Pasta For Crockpot Mac And Cheese?

Elbow macaroni is the pasta listed for this recipe and gives the dish its classic shape. Another pasta may work, but it can need a different amount of liquid or a different cooking time, so the texture may not be the same.

Can I Make Crockpot Mac And Cheese Ahead Of Time?

This dish is best served warm after the cheese melts and the pasta becomes tender. You can make it earlier, refrigerate the leftovers, and reheat them gently with a little milk if the sauce becomes thick.

Can I Freeze This Mac And Cheese?

Freezing is not recommended for this recipe. The milk, heavy cream, butter, and cheese sauce may separate or lose some of its smooth texture after freezing and thawing.

Can I Double The Recipe?

Doubling the recipe changes the amount of food in the crockpot and may affect how evenly the pasta cooks. If you double it, use a crockpot large enough to hold everything without filling it too full, and check the macaroni for tenderness before serving.

How Do I Know When The Mac And Cheese Is Done?

The dish is ready when the elbow macaroni is tender and the cheese has melted into the dairy and butter. Stir once or twice during the 2-3 hour cooking time and check the pasta before serving.

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