Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

This Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe is about as warm and comforting as it can get for food.

Made with cheddar cheese and elbow macaroni noodles, this mouthwatering meal is creamy and rich, making it perfect for serving for dinner or sharing with others at a gathering.

What is Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese?

Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese is a made from scratch meal made in a slow cooker with shredded cheeses and elbow pasta.

I really like how easy it is to put this recipe together for the slow cooker to cook.

Have you tried my Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken ?

That Marry Me Chicken is a delicious recipe featuring juicy chicken breasts slow cooked in a creamy and flavorful sauce. Both this recipe for macaroni and cheese and that recipe for marry me chicken are easy and great tasting pasta meals that can be made in your slow cooker.

Make clean up even easier by using a liner for your slow cooker. You can find slow cooker liners here.

Why we love slow cooker mac and cheese.

This is a wholesome meal idea that can easily be made from scratch. Even better, this slow cooked mac and cheese is mouthwatering cheesy, perfectly creamy, and very comforting.

Here is what else we like about this recipe.

• Making this in a slow cooker means that you can simply dump the ingredients into your cooker and let it do the rest.
• This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and slow cooked when you are ready.
• The ingredients used to make this recipe are relatively inexpensive, making this a cost-effective meal option.
• Personalizing this recipe is as easy as adding some vegetables or adding other kinds of cheese.
• You can make this recipe about anywhere that you can plug in a slow cooker, making this recipe perfect for sharing with others (think pot lucks or gatherings).
• Leftovers taste great when warmed up the next day as the flavors are able to meld together.

Ingredients needed to make macaroni and cheese in a slow cooker.

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• Elbow Macaroni Noodles Your noodles should be cooked al dente according to the directions packaging.
• Half and Half. Offers a creamy consistency.
• Butter. Cut the butter into cubes.
• Shredded Cheeses. Medium cheddar cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
• Dijon Mustard. This is like a 'secret ingredient' added for a touch of flavor.
• Seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste.

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Tips for making the best Mac and Cheese.

Your elbow pasta needs to be cooked before adding it to the slow cooker. I would cook the pasta al dente (about two minutes short of indicated cook time) to prevent it from getting mushy in your slow cooker.

More helpful tips for you.

1. For a creamy texture, we are using half and half. Feel free to substitute for all or part of this with whole milk or evaporated.
2. For additional flavors and textures, you can add protein such as sliced hot dogs, cooked bacon, or cooked taco meat.
3. This recipe for mac and cheese is cooked in a slow cooker on low. Because of the consistency of the sauce when the ingredients are melted together, slow cooking on high risks burning the cheese.
4. My mac and cheese was made with a variety of cheese for their individual flavors and textures. This is highly customizable, as long as you use the same total amount of cheese (three and a half cups).
5. It is best to shred your own cheese rather than buy it pre-shredded. Pre shredded is often coated with other ingredients which can hinder the ability of the cheese to melt to a creamy texture.
6. To thicken out your sauce you can remove the lid during the last 20 minutes of slow cooking or slow cook for a longer time. If you want to thin out your sauce you can stir in additional half and half or milk .

How to make this Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe.

Prep Time: 20 minutes .
Slow Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes .
Servings: 8 .

1. Pasta. Cook your pasta according to the packaging for al dente (about two minutes short). Then rinse and drain the pasta. Transfer the pasta to your slow cooker.
2. Half and Half and Butter. Cover the cooked pasta with your half and half and then stir in the butter, mixing the ingredients well.
3. Cheeses. Add your cheeses, one at a time, to the slow cooker, stirring the ingredients well between additions.
4. Seasonings. In a small bowl, use a whisk to combine together your mustard and seasonings. Then blend these ingredients into the ingredients in the slow cooker.
5. Slow Cook. Cover your slow cooker and slow cook on low heat for two and a half to three hours. During this time, stir the mixture every 30 minutes to ensure the cheese melts evenly and the pasta cooks properly.
6. Serve. Your macaroni and cheese is done slow cooking when the macaroni is tender and the cheese sauce is creamy and fully melted.

Expert Tip👉 Keep an eye on the mac and cheese to avoid overcooking. Cooking times can vary depending on their size and heat settings. This recipe works best when made in a large slow cooker.

How to store leftover slow cooker mac and cheese.

Once your macaroni and cheese has fully cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, mac and cheese should keep for about four days when refrigerated.

You may also be interested in these slow cooker crockpot recipes.

• Crockpot Potatoes Au Gratin
• Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Crockpot Funeral Potatoes Recipe
• Crockpot Chicken and Potato Dinner
• Crockpot Barbecue Chicken Recipe
• Slow Cooker Italian Beef (Crock Pot)

Print the recipe for Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe and easy and made from scratch recipe for cheesy pasta cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.