Description
Crockpot Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy dish made effortlessly in a slow cooker. This comforting recipe uses a blend of cheeses, milk, and cream to create a rich, perfectly melty mac and cheese that’s ideal for cozy nights or feeding a crowd. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, it delivers smooth texture and deep flavor every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Cheeses
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Velveeta cheese, cubed (or American cheese)
Dairy
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Measure out the uncooked elbow macaroni; no need to precook it as it will soften in the crockpot. Grate the sharp cheddar cheese and cube the Velveeta. Gather all dairy and seasoning ingredients to have everything ready.
- Layer in the Crockpot: Place the uncooked macaroni in the slow cooker. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Velveeta cubes, butter, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper on top. Pour the milk and heavy cream evenly over the ingredients, but do not stir yet.
- Cook on Low: Set the crockpot to low heat and cook for 2 to 3 hours. Stir the mixture every 30 to 45 minutes to prevent sticking and help melt the cheese evenly.
- Final Stir and Serve: Once the pasta is tender and the cheese sauce is thick and bubbly, give a thorough final stir. Adjust seasoning if needed, then serve hot and enjoy your creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese.
Notes
- Use elbow macaroni or similar shaped pasta so cheese sauce clings well.
- Mix sharp cheddar with Velveeta for best creamy texture.
- Stir every 30 minutes to avoid pasta sticking or drying out.
- Cook on low heat to prevent cheese from curdling.
- Use full-fat dairy products for maximum creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, crockpot mac and cheese, slow cooker mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, easy dinner