Description
This Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe is the ultimate comfort food made easy. With real cheddar, American cheese, and evaporated milk, it creates a creamy, rich sauce without boiling the noodles first. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners, this slow cooker mac and cheese delivers homemade flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow pasta (uncooked, not gluten-free)
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 12 ounces extra sharp cheddar (freshly shredded)
- 4 ounces American cheese (from deli)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup butter (cubed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray.
- Rinse the Pasta: Rinse uncooked pasta in cold water and drain well.
- Mix Ingredients: Add pasta, whole milk, evaporated milk, cheeses, salt, pepper, mustard, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add Butter: Dot the top with cubed butter.
- Cook Slowly: Cover and cook on LOW for 1 hour, then stir quickly.
- Check Texture: Continue cooking on LOW for 1–2 more hours, stirring every 30 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce is creamy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm, garnished with parsley or extra cheese if desired.
Notes
Always use freshly shredded cheese for a smooth sauce. Avoid thin or quick-cook noodles as they can get mushy. Add a splash of milk when reheating to restore creaminess. Perfect for holidays, family dinners, or any comfort-food craving!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 574
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 923mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe, slow cooker mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, crock pot mac and cheese easy