Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese: Easy and Delicious
This one-pot mac n cheese is an incredibly easy and delicious mac and cheese recipe. No need to boil pasta or make a separate sauce. Just throw everything into a slow cooker and let it work its magic.
You’ll need simple ingredients like elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, milk, and evaporated milk. Season with a bit of salt and pepper, and let it cook on low for about two and a half hours. In the end, you’ll have a rich, creamy, and cheesy mac and cheese perfect for any meal.
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 grams (16 ounces) of uncooked elbow macaroni
- 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 250 grams (8 ounces) of cream cheese, chopped into chunks
- 2.5 cups of milk
- 375 mL (12 ounces) of evaporated milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation Steps
- Place 500 grams (16 ounces) of uncooked elbow macaroni into the slow cooker.
- Add three cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Chop a 250-gram (8-ounce) block of cream cheese into small chunks and add it to the pot.
- Pour in two and a half cups of milk and 375 milliliters (12 ounces) of evaporated milk.
- Season with a little salt and pepper.
- Stir to combine all the ingredients well.
- Put the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for about two and a half hours. It’s important not to lift the lid constantly; just leave it on to let the heat and steam do their job.
- About two hours in, you can give the mixture a quick stir. If it seems too thick, add a little more milk and continue cooking for another half hour until it reaches the right consistency.
- After two and a half hours, your mac and cheese will be ready. It will be thick, gooey, and delicious. You can adjust the thickness by adding more milk if you prefer a creamier sauce.
Finishing Your Mac and Cheese
Once your mac and cheese is done cooking, you can turn off the slow cooker or switch it to the keep warm setting. This will keep the dish warm for hours, so you can serve it right from the pot.
If you find the consistency too thick, you can add some extra milk and let it cook a bit longer.
There are many ways to customize this recipe. Consider adding bacon, herbs, or spices to give it extra flavor.
Enjoy your rich, creamy, and cheesy mac and cheese!
Ingredient Tip: Evaporated milk is just regular full-cream milk with most of the water removed, giving it a richer taste.
Serving Suggestions
Adding Variations
You can put your own spin on this mac and cheese by adding some extra ingredients. Try mixing in crispy bacon bits for a smoky flavor. Sprinkle in some herbs like parsley or chives to give it a fresh touch. If you like a bit of heat, add some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. For a richer taste, you can also toss in some extra cheeses like mozzarella or parmesan.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Bacon bits | 1 cup, cooked |
Chopped herbs | 2-3 tablespoons |
Red pepper flakes | 1 teaspoon |
Mozzarella cheese | 1 cup, shredded |
Parmesan cheese | 1/2 cup, grated |
Feel free to experiment and find your favorite combination!
Keeping It Warm
Once your mac and cheese has finished cooking, you can keep it warm for hours using the “keep warm” function on your slow cooker. This way, it will be ready to serve whenever you are. Just make sure to give it a good stir every now and then to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
If the mac and cheese thickens too much while keeping warm, you can add a little bit of milk and stir it in to maintain that creamy consistency.
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Incredibly easy and delicious mac and cheese
Ingredients
- 500 grams (16 ounces) of uncooked elbow macaroni
- 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 250 grams (8 ounces) of cream cheese, chopped into chunks
- 2.5 cups of milk
- 375 mL (12 ounces) of evaporated milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place 500 grams (16 ounces) of uncooked elbow macaroni into the slow cooker.
- Add three cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Chop a 250-gram (8-ounce) block of cream cheese into small chunks and add it to the pot.
- Pour in two and a half cups of milk and 375 milliliters (12 ounces) of evaporated milk.
- Season with a little salt and pepper.
- Stir to combine all the ingredients well.
- Replace lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for about two and a half hours.
- It's important not to lift the lid constantly; just leave it on to let the heat and steam do their job.
- Two hours in, you can give the mixture a quick stir. If it seems too thick, add a little more milk and continue cooking for another half hour until it reaches the right consistency.
Notes
Adjust the thickness by adding more milk if you prefer a creamier sauce. Add extras like bacon, herbs, or spices to give it extra flavor.
Easy Recipes Inspiration
- Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs: Hearty Comfort Food
- Roasted Slow Cooker Rack of Lamb Recipe
- Dutch Oven Chicken Provençal (Pressure & Slow Cooker)
- Easy Dutch Oven Beef Stew Stove Top Recipe
- Dutch Oven Beef Pasta Bake Recipe: One-Pot Meal
Wrapping Up
This mac and cheese recipe is a true game-changer, as it’s simple, rich, creamy, and made in just one pot. You don’t have to boil the pasta or create a fiddly sauce. Just toss all the ingredients into the pot and let it cook. Imagine the ease of that! The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the magnificent result it delivers.
Once your mac and cheese is done, you can keep it warm in the slow cooker for hours. This gives you the flexibility to serve it straight from the pot whenever you’re ready. You can also get creative with this dish. Try adding bacon, or sprinkle in some herbs and spices. You can easily come up with your own variations to suit your taste.
Feel free to explore other recipes and discover new favorites. Whether it’s another classic comfort food or something completely different, there’s always something exciting to find. Experimenting in the kitchen can be a lot of fun, and you never know what delicious creation you might come up with next!
One-Pot Cooking Rocks!
Michelle
Hi, I’m Michelle, the founder, owner, author, and editor of OvenSpot. My passion for one-pot cooking commenced when I was working to prepare cafeteria lunches for school students. I am now on a mission to assist you in choosing the cooking pot or appliance you will use daily. As well as in-depth information to assist you in using and caring for your cookware and appliances.
Questions? Reach out to Michelle at [email protected]