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Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is so simple, cheesy, and delicious!
Moms love this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese because it’s a low-effort slow cooker meal, and kids love it because it’s delicious! It’s definitely a dinner favorite.
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!
Why you will love this
Check out the reasons below…
So delicious! Made with lots of cheese, butter, and sour cream, it’s very flavorful and the whole family loves the taste
Great for holidays. It’s especially nice to have side dishes that can be made in the slow cooker on busy days like potlucks, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Easy to customize. Use your favorite cheese, or add a bread topping or even mix-ins like bacon, if desired.
It’s a simple recipe, 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.
Ingredients
Here is all that you will need:
elbow macaroni – Elbow macaroni noodles are a Mac and Cheese classic, but you can use other similarly sized noodles like shell, cavatappi, penne, farfalle, fusilli, or rotini.
butter – salted or unsalted butter both work for this recipe
grated cheddar cheese – Other shredded cheese that melt well, or add a twist of flavor, include manchego, muenster, provolone, monterey jack, fontina, gruyere, or american cheese. Even Velveeta cheese works.
sour cream
condensed cheddar cheese soup
salt and black pepper – For added flavor, use garlic salt with parsley flakes
whole milk – Or at least 2% milk
HOW to make it
Three easy steps:
PASTA. Bring water to a boil and cook macaroni for 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
SAUCE. In a medium pan, mix butter and cheese until cheese melts. Add sour cream, soup, salt, milk and pepper until combined.
SLOW COOK. Add the cheese sauce to the slow cooker (spray with nonstick cooking spray first) along with the cooked macaroni. Mix until combined and cook on low for 2 hours stirring every once in awhile.
TIPS and TRICKS
Here are some advanced tips to take it to the next level…
Thicken the sauce. The sauce should be creamy, not soupy. To thicken your Mac and Cheese, use a few methods:
remove the lid of the crock pot to allow for liquid to evaporate
add in more cheese
cornstarch slurry: in a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of COLD water with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Stir it into the Mac and Cheese and the dish will thicken as it continues to cook. Repeat if needed.
Add-ins. When there are about 30 minutes left in the cooking time, add in some of these suggestions:
cooked bacon bits, diced cooked ham, grilled chicken, or cooked hamburger
parmesan cheese
broccoli or roasted red peppers
garlic powder, dry mustard, onion powder, red pepper flakes, or paprika.
Pairings
Here are some other awesome recipes to make the perfect meal..
There are so many great sides to go with this Crockpot mac and cheese. Veggies and bread are great – so are salads. Here are some of the go-to recipes we like to pair best with this cheesy dinner idea:
STORE. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
REHEAT. The key is to reheat slowly on low heat. Adding in a bit more milk can help smooth out the texture. You can reheat in the slow cooker, covered in the oven, stovetop, or microwave.
FREEZE. This pasta dish can be frozen for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to use, thaw it in the fridge and reheat slowly over low heat.
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.
Video
Notes
STORE. Store leftover slow cooker Mac and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The key is to reheat slowly on low heat. Adding in a bit more milk can help smooth out the texture. You can reheat in the slow cooker, covered in the oven, stovetop, or microwave.Note: Discard Crockpot Pot Mac and Cheese if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.FREEZE. This pasta dish can be frozen for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to use, thaw it in the fridge and reheat slowly over low heat.
My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!
I’m going to be making this for thanksgiving. I am wondering what kind of cheddar cheese to use. Sharp, white, extra sharp, mild? Also can you use half evaporated milk and half whole milk? I heard evaporated milk gives a much richer flavor?
I like to use sharp or medium cheddar, but really it’s a personal preference 🙂 I haven’t tried using the half evaporated milk. But, if it gives a richer flavor..I’d say it’s worth a try 🙂
I just was worried about what kind of cheeses to use. I have made homemade Mac and cheese once with a Pinterest recipe and it turned out a disaster. It was super grainy. So I wanted to make sure I use the right kind of cheese. With the 4 TBLS of butter is that just unsalted block butter?
No problem 🙂 I like to use unsalted, that way I can control the salt.
I haven’t made it yet. Hoping to do so today! But if I use 1 whole box of elbow macaroni, do I double the rest of the ingredients? I’m not sure how much to use if I make a whole box?
I was kinda bummed about two things, the texture wasn’t as creamy as I was expecting, it was a little grainy. Also it didn’t make very much, definitely double the batch if you’re feeling more than 5.
Hello! I just made this and was looking creamy but after 2 hours in the crockpot (on low) dried out! Should i make more Of the milk/cheese mixture to add in? Thanks!
This mac and cheese is So good. I just hosted friendsgiving before my husband’s deployment (around 20 people) and this was a Huge hit! The onLy food we didnt have leftovers of 🙂
Can plain Greek yogurt be substituted for sour cream?
You sure could 🙂
I’m going to be making this for thanksgiving. I am wondering what kind of cheddar cheese to use. Sharp, white, extra sharp, mild? Also can you use half evaporated milk and half whole milk? I heard evaporated milk gives a much richer flavor?
I like to use sharp or medium cheddar, but really it’s a personal preference 🙂 I haven’t tried using the half evaporated milk. But, if it gives a richer flavor..I’d say it’s worth a try 🙂
I just was worried about what kind of cheeses to use. I have made homemade Mac and cheese once with a Pinterest recipe and it turned out a disaster. It was super grainy. So I wanted to make sure I use the right kind of cheese. With the 4 TBLS of butter is that just unsalted block butter?
No problem 🙂 I like to use unsalted, that way I can control the salt.
I haven’t made it yet. Hoping to do so today! But if I use 1 whole box of elbow macaroni, do I double the rest of the ingredients? I’m not sure how much to use if I make a whole box?
I would probably double the rest of the ingredients. I would say a 1lb box is about 4 cups of dry macaroni.
will sharp cheddar cheese make this too tangy?
I don’t think so. Just a personal preference 🙂
I was kinda bummed about two things, the texture wasn’t as creamy as I was expecting, it was a little grainy. Also it didn’t make very much, definitely double the batch if you’re feeling more than 5.
Hello! I just made this and was looking creamy but after 2 hours in the crockpot (on low) dried out! Should i make more Of the milk/cheese mixture to add in? Thanks!
Oh, darn..sorry that happened! I am guessing it does need more of that 🙂
This mac and cheese is So good. I just hosted friendsgiving before my husband’s deployment (around 20 people) and this was a Huge hit! The onLy food we didnt have leftovers of 🙂
Friendsgiving is so fun! I am so happy it was a hit!! Thank you for sharing the recipe with your friends 🙂
Can we add in one more cheese such a gouda? I love gouda cheese 🙂
You sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!
My family loved this recipe!
Happy they do! Thank you for letting me know!
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!