Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese
This creamy crockpot mac and cheese recipe delivers a rich and satisfying dish with minimal effort. Perfect for a comforting meal, it features tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a decadent sauce made with multiple cheeses and milks, cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (6-quart or larger)
- Microwave-safe bowl or Saucepan
- Whisk
Ingredients
Mac and Cheese Base
- 1 pound elbow macaroni uncooked
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can evaporated milk 12-ounce
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese freshly shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened, cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard optional
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Lightly grease the inside of your 6-quart or larger slow cooker with butter or cooking spray.
- Melt the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl or saucepan.
Cooking
- Pour the melted butter, whole milk, heavy cream, and evaporated milk into the prepared slow cooker and whisk well to combine.
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, and optional Dijon mustard and garlic powder until evenly distributed.
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the liquid mixture and stir gently to ensure all pasta is submerged.
- Sprinkle about half of the shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the macaroni, then add the cubed cream cheese on top.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours, or on HIGH for 1-2 hours.
- After about 1.5 hours on LOW (or 45 minutes on HIGH), stir everything well and check the pasta for tenderness.
- Once the pasta is al dente, add the remaining shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
- Stir until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth, creamy, and irresistible. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For an extra boost of flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the recipe. To prevent the macaroni from sticking or becoming too soft, ensure it is fully submerged in the liquid mixture during cooking. Freshly shredded cheese melts much more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents. Adjust cooking times based on your individual slow cooker and desired pasta tenderness. This dish is rich, so serve it with a light salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.