Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is so simple, cheesy and delicious. With loads of cheese, butter, and sour cream it’s hard not to love this creamy macaroni and cheese recipe.
Moms love this recipe because it’s a low-effort slow cooker meal, and kids love it because, well… it’s mac and cheese! Pair with fresh veggies, or a quick green salad for a fantastic weeknight dinner. This is definitely one dinner that the entire family will love!
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
If your family is like mine and could eat mac & cheese every night of the week, then you’ve definitely gotta try this super easy slow cooker version! Made with lots of cheese, butter and sour cream, this mac & cheese will definitely be a new favorite with your family.
Other than cooking the macaroni before-hand and melting the other ingredients, there isn’t much to this recipe.
It’s great to throw together when you have multiple things going on at home, and don’t have time to be standing in front of the stove.
How to Make Crock Pot Mac n Cheese
You guys know we are all about simple here and we think you’ll love just how easy and tasty this mac and cheese recipe is. And as you can imagine having 6 little kids, macaroni is ALWAYS a hit at dinner time! Here is what you’ll need to do to make this recipe:
BOIL. Bring water to a boil and cook macaroni for 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
MIX + MELT. In a medium pan, mix butter and cheese until cheese melts. Add sour cream, soup, salt, milk and pepper until combined.
SLOW COOK. Add this mixture to the slow cooker along with the cooked macaroni. Mix until combined and cook on low for 2 hours stirring every once in awhile.
The result is a super cheesy, tasty macaroni that the kids go nuts over!
macaroni Add-ins and leftovers
Add-ins. When there is about 30 minutes left in the cooking time you can add some of these suggestions: cooked bacon bits, parmesan cheese, salsa or jalapenos, broccoli, roasted red peppers, diced cooked ham, grilled chicken, cooked hamburger, chili flakes.
Storing & Reheating. Store leftover mac n cheese in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can reheat it using the microwave: stir in 1 tbsp of milk to add some moisture, cover the dish with plastic wrap, then microwave on medium heat for 1 minute and then stir every 30 seconds until it is fully heated.
Note: Discard if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
Can mac and cheese be frozen? This pasta dish can be frozen for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to use you can thaw it in the fridge and cover the dish with plastic wrap, then microwave on medium heat for 1 minute and then stir every 30 seconds until it is fully heated.
what to serve with mac and cheese?
There are so many great sides to go with this recipe. Veggies and breads are great – so are salads. Here are some of the go-to recipes we like to pair best with this cheesy dinner idea:
Nothing beats cheesy, creamy macaroni and cheese!! We hope you like it. 🙂
For more macaroni and cheese recipes, check out:
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is so simple, cheesy and delicious. With loads of cheese, butter, and sour cream it's hard not to love this creamy macaroni and cheese recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 10.75 oz. can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- pepper
Instructions
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Bring water to a boil and cook macaroni for 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
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In a medium pan, mix butter and cheese until cheese melts. Add sour cream, soup, salt, milk and pepper until combined.
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Add this mixture to the slow cooker along with the cooked macaroni. Mix until combined and cook on low for 2 hours stirring every once in awhile.
This dish looks soooo mouthwatering yummy. I got to put this on our Sunday dinner table. Thank you!
It is!! I hope your family likes it, as much as we do!! Thank you!
How much pepper do you add to this recipe??
Just depends on how much you like pepper. I usually add 1/4 teaspoon.
What kind of cheddar cheese do you use? Sharp cheddar or mild cheddar?
I usually use mild, but really, both work well. Whatever you prefer 🙂
Your smile just darn well makes me happy. I am older now and it is so refreshing to share your enthusiasm and zest for life. I am loving your recipes especially the easy ones. You must be one busy woman with six kids, have no doubt you are a lovely mother! I am sitting in my favorite chair with painsomnia and your site is just what I need to get back my joy!! Yeah, I am so glad I found you and I look forward to future recipes! Sending a hug because I want to!! Lead on Kristyn.
Awe, thank you so much! You are so nice! I am super busy, but love what I do 🙂 I sure hope you try some recipes & that you love them, as much as we do! Sending a hug back!!
I will never eat boxed mac & cheese again!! This was so tasty, cheesy, & the crock pot does all the work. What’s better!?
This is better then any Mac and Cheese recipe I have ever eaten! So creamy and delicious!
Mac and Cheese in a Crock pot? I had to try it. My kids love it so much. It’s become my go to dish when my husband and I are headed out for dinner and I don’t really want to cook for my kids. Thanks for posting!
mac And cheese is always a favorite amongst the kids. Whats not to like about cheesy pasta in the crockpot. Not much effort in putting this together.
It looks mouth watering I’m going to try it I’m sure it will taste great thank you
It really is! Hope you like it!
I took this to a potluck and everyone loved it. I will de be making this again.
Yay!! Glad it was a hit! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Im am going to try this tonight! Do we cook the mac and cheese fully or is it going to be a little hard to compensate for the two hours in the crock pot?
You cook for about 6 minutes, which usually is between 7-8, so it’s pretty much fully cooked.
Did you shred the cheddar CHEESE by HAND from a block or did you buy shredded cheddar cheese? Just wondering which cheese is best for THIS Recipe!!
Really, either is fine. If I have cheese that I have shredded on hand, I will use that, but sometimes for convenience I use the already shredded cheese.
Thank you! I’m making This for my daughters birthday party!! ☺
Hope it’s a hit! Enjoy!
We loved this for dinner tonight! Mine Was totally done in An hour (yes, I cooked it on low). I Was wondering if you’ve ever tried not boiling the noodles? I want To make it for my daughters birthday party but i really need it To cook in 2 hrs instead of 1.
Glad your family liked it! I have not tried, but it may work 🙂
Can you double this recipe? want to make it for easter and we have 10 people coming over!
Yes, of course 🙂 Hope it’s a hit!
Making this for my 3 grandchildren always have dinner with them on Thursday night,ages6 3,5,they are my CRITICS.they tell anyone that’ll listen to them,my nana cooks really good food.
I sure hope they like it!! I love that!
I have tried a similar recipe but the cheddar cheese didn’t melt very well in the butter and “clumped” rather than marry. Is there a way to avoid this? Should I add the cheddar when I put it all into the crock pot instead?
It shouldn’t clump in this recipe 🙂 It’s one of our favorites!
HELLO – CAN I DOUBLE THIS RECIPE?
You sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!
if you double the recipe do you have to double the cook time as well?
No, you shouldn’t have to 🙂
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE CREAM OF CHEDDAR SOUP? CAN I USE ANY CREAM SOUP? i DON’T WANT TO GO TO THE STORE TODAY:)
You know, I have not tried, but I am sure you could 🙂 Let me know what you use & if you like it!
Thought of making this for Thanksgiving so gave it a trial run today. It’s a great recipe! The cheddar soup kind of grossed me out at first, but you can’t really taste it. I think the sourcream is what makes this mac and cheese special.
The fact that it’s so easy makes it a 5/5 in my book. It a very cheesy saucy mac and cheese that thickens as it sits. The noodle to sauce ratio makes this a decadent treat for sure.
Thank you so much for sharing all that! I am glad you tried it & liked it!
Hi! I haven’t made this yet, but I have a question – have you ever cooked the pasta itself, in the crock pot? I kinda feel if I’m going to boil my noodles, I may as well do as I normally do, and after boiling the noodles, al dente, to just bake it. I will, however, try it, as it looks super creamy and YuM! Thanks so much for sharing your recipes! Happy 🦃 Thanksgiving, doll! 🙋♀
I have not cooked them in the crock pot by themselves. I usually boil them in the pot first 🙂 Sure hope you like them!! Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m looking to make this for my daughter party and wondering about doubling it. How well does it do?
Great!! They would love it!
I’ve made this recipe over a Dozen times now and its always gotten rave reviews! So smooth and creamy! Great for a potluck or as a side dish! Pair it with anytHing!!!
Agreed…goes with anything!! Thank you for making this recipe 🙂
Have you ever made this in the oven instead of the crock pot?
Not this specific recipe, but I have others on my site that are baked. Just search macaroni and cheese in the bar at the top 🙂 Hope you find one to try!
WHat could be used To replace the can Cheese soup? We dont eat canned soups!
I haven’t left it out before, but maybe velveeta? Or, maybe google what are some good substitutes for the cheese soup. Hope you find something 🙂
This is probably the best homemade mac n cheese I’ve come across. It’s so creamy and cheesy! I was curious if I really needed to slow cook it for 2 hours since the noodles and cheese sauce were already made but it’s worth it.
Awe, thank you so much for saying that!! I guess you couldn’t. I personally have not tried.
Taste great and super easy to make. Will DEFINITELY make again. Thank you
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing that!
So… I came ACross this recipe like Two MOnths AGo, but I didn’t get to try it until now. Let me TEll you Though… it was a hit!!! This is by far the best recipe I have EVer tried FOr homemade mac! The ingredients are simple, it’s fast and easy To put together, and it tastes amazing!!! THe cheese sauce is very thick and creamy, but NOt Too thick that makes your tounge stick to the Roof Of your mouth. I actually appreciated the FAct there was no flour added to this because other RECIPIes left the sauce tasting a little chalky. The sour cream in this mixed with the cream Of cheese soup really helped to thicken up the sauce in just the right way! I just HAd to hunt down this website so That I Could come back and leave a review! 10/10 recommend This!
You are too nice 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing that! I am so happy you liked it!
i have tried at least 5 other mac n cheese recipes and this is by far the very best–thanks so much!!!!!
You are so welcome! Love to hear that! Thank you so much!
Hi. Do you think i could sub the sour cream with something Else? My husBand is allerigic to it. Thanks.
Not sure if he is allergic to any of these, but here are some suggestions…Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or buttermilk. You can find more online. Hope any of those help!
About how many seRvings does this recipe make? Thanks!
About 8, 1 cup servings. Just depends on how big your servings are.
Thank you so much for this recipe!! This was my first time doing a crockpot Mac and cheese and now it won’t be my last! My very picky kiddo who only eats Kraft LOVED this! Super Simple to out together and even doubled it for a cookout today!
Woohoo!! Love hearing that! Glad you tried it! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
So im making this for a party and aM preparing a little early can i keep it on watn or will it dry everything out??
It might, but maybe you can add a little splash of milk 🙂 Enjoy!!
This recipe is delicious! I added a few more noodles, and it was still super creamy and delicious. A favorite for kids and adults!
It totally is! Thanks for saying that!
My family loved this recipe!
Happy they do! Thank you for letting me know!
Can we add in one more cheese such a gouda? I love gouda cheese 🙂
You sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!