One Pot Recipes

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Slow Cooker Recipes

    Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

    Published: May 8, 2019 · Modified: May 8, 2019 by Abeer Rizvi · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Jump to Recipe

    The best, quick and easy slow cooker mac and cheese recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Super creamy, loaded with cheese (cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan). No Velveeta and requires no boil pasta/ uncooked noodles.

    If you are crazy about this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese and One Pot Mac and Cheese as much as me, you have to try today's recipe immediately.

    This is the easiest meal you will ever make that kids and adults, both enjoy. You just throw everything in a crockpot, cook and dig in! Tender macaronis are loaded with the most creamy cheese sauce ever, composed of 3 cheeses!


    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from One Pot Recipes

    How to make slow cooker mac and cheese (macaroni and cheese)?

    1. Add uncooked pasta, seasonings, cheeses, milk in crockpot.
    2. Cover and cook.
    3. Mix often.
    4. Garnish with parsley.
    5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    What sides to serve with best slow cooker mac and cheese recipe?

    This is a very heavy meal and side dishes that accompany this meal should be kept simple such as:

    • Crusty bread
    • Breadsticks
    • Garlic bread
    • Salad
    • Dinner rolls
    • Cheese sticks

    What cheese to use in creamy macaroni and cheese?

    This is a personal preference. After multiple trials, I recommend using cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar. However, you can also use a blend of other cheeses for a different flavor profile

    • Gouda
    • Gruyere
    • Ricotta
    • Parmesan
    • Feta
    • Pepper jack
    • Colby jack
    • Swiss
    • Mexican cheese blend
    • Blue cheese
    Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese (No Velveeta)

    Variations

    Make it with ham- Mix in 1 cup cooked ham at the end (cut into small slices)

    Make it with bacon- Sprinkle in ½ cup cooked crumbled bacon on top, prior to serving.

    Make it with buffalo chicken- Mix in 1 cup shredded buffalo chicken at the end.

    Make it healthy- This is really not meant to be a healthy meal but you can substitute full-fat ingredients with low fat ones, although it would reduce the creaminess and cheesiness in this recipe and I don't recommend it.

    Make it even more creamy and cheesy- By using Velveeta instead of cream cheese.

    Add breadcrumbs topping- You will have to make this topping separately. Mix together seasoned 1 cup breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoon unsalted butter in a nonstick pan. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring often until crumbs are nicely toasted and crispy. Sprinkle this on top of the pasta, prior to serving to add a nice crunch.

    Make it spicy- By adding some red chili flakes or finely chopped jalapenos.

    Best Mac and Cheese (Slow Cooker)

    Tips and Techniques

    What kind of milk to use? After trying various types of milk, the best results came with evaporated milk and whole milk. You can play around with other milks of your choice to see how it affects this recipe. Some people make this without evaporated milk and replace that with water or additional whole milk. Try and see what you think.

    What herbs and spices to use? I like to add some mustards, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and parsley to enhance the flavor profile. Some people just add salt and pepper but I find that to be too bland.

    Adjust herbs and seasonings- This is based on your preference. Add more or less salt, pepper, paprika, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder.

    Use uncooked pasta- Because this recipe uses a lot of milk that would cook the pasta in the slow cooker. You don't have to pre-cook or boil it first.

    Use freshly grated cheese- Rather than packaged shredded cheeses because those tend to add a grainy texture to this dish.

    Use full fat ingredients- This is especially with regards to milk and cheeses. The higher the fat content, the more rich and creamy this pasta recipe would be.

    What type of pasta to use? Elbow macaroni is the classic choice. Don't use whole wheat pasta because it requires additional liquid for it to cook through.

    Pasta thickens as it cools– This is normal and nothing to worry about. It will be slightly runny but it will continue to thicken as it cools down because the pasta absorbs all the liquid and moisture, making it feel very dry. You can add more or less milk to thicken it or thin it out.

    Cooking time may vary- This depends on the brand of slow cooker you use and how old and worn out it is. Some crockpots tend to run hotter than others. If that's the case, keep a close eye on it and check every 30 minutes to prevent it from becoming over-cooked and "mushy."

    How to avoid dry pasta? Don’t open the slow cooker too many dimes during cooking because you will loose steam which cooks the macaroni and retains moisture.

    Can you freeze mac and cheese? No, it does not taste as good when it thaws and the texture is different.

    Serve a crowd- By doubling this recipe and making it in 2 separate slow cookers.

    More One Pot Pasta Meals

    • Cheesy Taco Pasta (One Pot)
    • Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (One Pot)
    • Creamy Spinach Pasta (One Pot)
    • Bacon Pasta (One Pot)
    • Buffalo Chicken Pasta (One Pot)

    Recipe

    Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe

    Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

    Abeer
    Quick and easy slow cooker mac and cheese recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Super creamy, loaded with cheese, no velveeta and needs no boil pasta.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 People
    Calories 751 kcal

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from One Pot Recipes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound Macaroni Uncooked
    • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese Shredded
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese Shredded
    • 1.5 cups Cheddar cheese Shredded
    • 4 oz. Cream cheese Full fat
    • 2.5 cups Milk Whole
    • 1 can Evaporated milk 12 oz. can
    • 1 tablespoon Mustard
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
    • Salt To taste
    • Pepper To taste
    • 1-2 tablespoon Parsley Fresh, Finely chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Add pasta, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese in a crockpot. 
    • Pour milk and evaporated milk. 
    • Add mustard, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper. Mix.
    • Cover and cook on low heat for 1.5 hours to 2 hours, stirring every 30-40 minutes, until pasta is fully cooked and cheese is all meted. 
      Note: If the mixture is too thick, add more milk.
    • Garnish with parsley and serve immediately (I skipped the garnish because my kiddo does not like it). 

    Notes

    • Read all my tips above.
    • Tastes best when served immediately but leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 751kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 36gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 744mgPotassium: 586mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 1400IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 794mgIron: 1.8mg

    An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or rate and tag @1potrecipes on social

    Happy cooking everyone!

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Easy Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast- Overhead Shot.
      Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast
    • Easy Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup on Wood Background.
      Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
    • Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup Recipe
      Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
    • Slow Cooker Barbacoa Recipe
      Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef

    Comments

    1. Dawn says

      November 28, 2019 at 1:18 am

      Why no butter????

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi says

        December 13, 2019 at 8:51 pm

        It's never felt necessary to add butter and always ends up super rich and creamy.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Abeer headshot

    Hi, I'm Abeer!

    Recipe developer. Photographer. Mommy & Foodie. Welcome to OnePot Recipes, a place where I share my love for cooking using One Pot, Instant Pot and Stock Pot!

    More about me

    Popular

    • Spoonful of Easy One Pot Beef Barley Soup With Vegetables.
      Beef Barley Soup (One Pot)
    • Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing on White Background.
      Strawberry Spinach Salad {Poppy Seed Dressing}
    • Easy One Pot Lasagna Soup in Big Ladle- Closeup Shot.
      One Pot Lasagna Soup
    • Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
      Roast Turkey Breast (One Pan)

    Latest

    • White Dish Full of Easy Blueberry Salad With Blueberry Vinaigrette.
      Easy Spinach Blueberry Salad (One Bowl)
    • Easy One Pot Crispy Fried Onion Rings in Lined Basket.
      Easy Crispy Onion Rings (One Pot)
    • Easy One Pot Apricot Chicken- Overhead Shot.
      Apricot Chicken (One Pot)
    • One Pot Boiled Corn on the Cob in Milk and Butter- Overhead Shot.
      Boiling Corn on The Cob (One Pot)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 One Pot Recipes