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This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy and an easy family dinner that even our picky eaters will devour! Our macaroni and cheese recipe is prepared in the slow cooker so it is easy to make and beyond delicious!
It will make you never want to use a boxed mac and cheese again! It only takes minutes of prep time and has become a weekly staple on our family meal plan. The ultimate in comfort food!
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese has been a long time favorite for our family! Frozen, boxed, baked…we love them all! But once we found this crock pot macaroni and cheese recipe, the game has been changed forever!
Sure, Kraft Mac and Cheese and Velveeta Shells will always be in my pantry for a quick mac n cheese fix, but If I have a little more time to spend, the crockpot version is my new go-to!
There is something about the fresh shredded cheese, cream cheese and creamy texture that the slow cooker brings alive to this mac and cheese recipe. A powdered mac and cheese just cannot achieve that creaminess that the real stuff does!
Not feeling the crockpot today? We also have a great stovetop or baked mac and cheese recipe. Looking for a healthier option? How about a low carb version? We are currently obsessed with Cauliflower Mac and Cheese!
The Perfect Main Dish or Side Dish (think Thanksgiving!)
Another thing that I love about this recipe is that it is so versatile. It is perfect for your main dish, but it also makes a great side dish! We love to add this mac and cheese to our Thanksgiving dinner as a side.
It’s great because our oven is generally overloaded with turkey, potatoes, stuffing and more. This crockpot mac and cheese gives us a way to make an additional dish without taking valuable oven space!
The Best Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Our homemade mac and cheese is also great to serve for a potluck or party! It feeds a crowd and then some! We always bring it to our Super Bowl party and our friends cannot get enough of it!
For me, it is a great and simple option for a weeknight dinner. I can start it right after the kids get home from school and it cooks in the slow cooker while we are working on homework and it is finished and waiting for us after their after school activities!
Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Whole milk
- Extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese
- Extra-sharp white cheddar cheese shredded
- Grated parmesan
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Sea salt
- White pepper
- Ground mustard
How to Make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
This recipe really couldn’t be much easier.
- STEP ONE: BOIL the pasta for 2-3 minutes
- STEP TWO: COMBINE in the slow cooker/crockpot the pasta, milk, shredded cheddar cheeses, parmesan and seasoning.
- STEP THREE: COOK on low for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- STEP FOUR: ADD in the cream cheese (cut into cubes). Stir it and the sour cream in until the cream cheese begins to melt. Cook on low for an additional 20-30 minutes until hot and creamy.
Serve as is or with bacon on top.
(For the detailed crock pot mac and cheese recipe and step-by-step details, see the printable recipe card below)
Can you Cook Noodles in the Slow Cooker
While you can cook your noodles in the slow cooker, I don’t recommend it. There are many recipes that are no boil crock pot mac and cheese, this one, however, is not one of those!
Personally, I don’t think the dish comes out nearly as good when you don’t boil the pasta before putting it in the slow cooker. It is worth the two extra minutes of work to pre-cook the noodles (we want them al dente) to keep them from getting mushy.
Tips for Making Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
- As with all appliances, not all crock pots cook the same. It is possible that your dish is done cooking a little early or needs a little more time! Not to worry, if it finishes early, just put it on low to keep it warm (we don’t want to overcook and get mushy). Also, if it is not quite finished, let it cook a little longer.
- Don’t lift the lid of the crock pot if you don’t need to, the steam is important to get the pasta and the mixture to the perfect consistency!
- Hate the mess of cleaning up your crock pot, try (affiliate) slow cooker plastic liners, they make cleaning up a snap!
- If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a little bit of milk until you get your desired consistency.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce box elbow macaroni
- 4 cups whole milk
- 8 ounces extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 8-10 ounces extra-sharp white cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 4 ounces cream cheese (room-temp )
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
Instructions
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Fill a large pot halfway up with water and bring to a boil.
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Once the water has started to boil, pour in a little bit of olive oil and the box of macaroni.
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Cook for 2-3 minutes and then drain.
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Add the macaroni to a slow cooker and add milk, shredded cheddar cheeses, parmesan, and seasonings.
-
Turn slow cooker on low and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
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Cut the cream cheese into cubes.
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Stir in the cream cheese and the sour cream until cream cheese starts to melt.
-
Cook on low for an additional 20-30 minutes until hot and creamy.
-
Serve as is or with bacon on top.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Tips:
- As with all appliances, not all crock pots cook the same. It is possible that your dish is done cooking a little early or needs a little more time! Not to worry, if it finishes early, just put it on low to keep it warm (we don't want to overcook and get mushy). Also, if it is not quite finished, let it cook a little longer.
- Don't lift the lid of the crock pot if you don't need to, the steam is important to get the pasta and the mixture to the perfect consistency!
- Hate the mess of cleaning up your crock pot, try (affiliate) slow cooker plastic liners, they make cleaning up a snap!
- If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a little bit of milk until you get your desired consistency.
Nutrition per serving
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