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
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
- Bring water to a boil and cook macaroni for 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium pan, mix butter and cheese until cheese melts. Add sour cream, soup, salt, milk and pepper until combined.
- 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.
What kind of grated cheese should I use? Can I used the shredded cheddar that comes in a bag or should I get a lock and shred .. would it make a difference either way? Thanks!
I use bagged & I have bought a block of cheddar & shredded it. I like to use fresh cheese for pastas, but both are great 🙂
I cant find the soup what can i substitute for
I haven’t tried substituting the soup, but I would see what google suggests. I don’t want to say the wrong thing, since I haven’t tried.
Cream of chicken, mushroom or celery work great!
I’ve used Condensed Cheddar Cheese Broccoli Soup
I don’t normally leave reviews but this was delicious ! Over the last few years I have been trying to find the perfect Mac n cheese crockpot recipe and I finally hit the jackpot ! About halfway through I added a little more cooked pasta b/c it seemed a little to soupy for my taste and it worked out perfect. I also added a small amount of onion , but otherwise followed the recipe. IT WAS SO GOOD ! I was nervous about trying a new recipe on Thanksgiving day but this was the most popular dish. Thank you !!
Awe, I am so glad you decided to try it & happier you liked it! Thank you so much for sharing that!
I am making this soon. How much extra cooked noodles did you end up adding?
Thanks!
Can you use 1% milk, 1/2 & 1/2 or heavy cream?
I’ve added 1% & it’s fine 🙂 I haven’t tried the other two.
Can I get everything ready ahead of time and then just turn the crockpot on
You sure could 🙂
Macaroni and cheese is a favorite and this recipe does not disappoint! Amazing and so creamy!
My kids loved this for Thanksgiving! My son told me it was his new favorite Mac and cheese. In the crockpot, even better
I LOVE this mac n cheese!!! It has everything I’m looking for. I have even found that I can cook it on the stovetop very quickly also (mix sauce together, boil noodles, then add to sauce, serve). I love it as a side to sloppy joes (or even in it)!
This recipe is a family favorite! My kids request this Mac and cheese weekly. The cheese turns out perfectly. The flavor is delicious.
Mine do also! Thank you for sharing that!
My picky kiddos absolutely love this mac and cheese and it’s so easy to make! Already planning to make it for a Comfort Food New Years Eve night!
Super easy added NM Hatch green chile for spice!
Made with cream of chicken soup as I never have cheddar cheese soup on hand? I also added a splash of Worcestershire sauce because I love it with cheesy dishes.
I think the crock pot is totally not needed. One could eat it right away once the noodles (I fully cook them and drain) are mixed with the melted cheese sauce. I placed it in a baking dish, sprinkled seasoned bread crumbs on top, and broiled uncovered for 15 minutes. I have also made this using a 16 oz package of gnocchi instead of the noodles with awesome results! A favorite add-in is a small can of Rotel (drained). A little Bleu cheese adds a delicious twist too!
That all sounds great! Thank you for sharing what you did!
I use a little extra butter & cheese and it’s to die for! So easy & good!
Can’t go wrong with that! Thank you!
What size crockpot did you use for this amount? Have you ever doubled the recipe? I’m wondering if I can make a bigger batch for a crowd. 😊
I used a 6-quart crockpot for this recipe. I haven’t doubled the recipe before so I’m not sure if there would be enough room in the crockpot. You should have room if you make 1 1/2 times the recipe though. Hope this helps!
This was a fun base recipe. I tweaked some things. Used smoked gouda, sharp cheddar and mozzarella. I also used half milk half heavy cream (adding a fourth cup more then the recipe because it seems a bit dry when it’s done cooking). And added in some sauteed kielbasa sausage to round out the meal. I also added some dry mustard and a little cayenne too for some heat. It’s a good macaroni and cheese that my kids absolutely love!
All of those additions and tweaks sounds amazing! A gourmet mac and cheese for sure! I’m so glad your kids enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
If I double the recipe, what size crockpot should I use? I’m anxious to make for Easter!
What size crock pot if I double the recipe? Anxious to make for my family for Easter!
I would use a 10 quart crockpot if you double this recipe. I hope you have a fabulous Easter!
I made this for Easter and it was a hit!
I’m so glad everyone liked it!
First time making this and it was very good 😋
Yay! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it!