Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Sunday, October 3, 2010
Mac and cheese made in the crockpot are so easy. I always make this for a quick side dish. It's great to bring along for family gatherings, everyone asks for this recipe.

This creamy crockpot mac and cheese start with an uncooked elbow or any small pasta (which will require more milk) or use the pasta cooked first.

There is evaporated and regular milk, several kinds of cheese, and seasonings topped with breadcrumbs all made in a slow cooker for a meal that's a classic usually made in the oven into a simple one-pot meal

We’ve also made homemade chicken mac and cheese, buffalo chicken mac and cheese, seafood mac and cheese, and baked macaroni and cheese with garlic, but the slow cooker is super easy when you're in a hurry or out for the day.

This is a great casserole to take to a potluck or family picnic the kids all go crazy over mac and cheese and it feeds a large crowd for an easy side dish.

this is mac and cheese made in a crockpot







Steps for Making Mac and Cheese in a Slow Cooker

  1. oil spray your slow cooker
  2. add the ingredients listed in the recipe or  use your favorite recipe
  3. place it on high for 2 hours
  4. if it's too soupy boil some more pasta cooked separately and drain, then add it into the slow cooker, and add it to the cheese sauce..
  5.  if it's too thick add some more milk


mac and cheese on a white plate


Best Tips for Making Macaroni and Cheese in a Slow Cooker

  1. add vegetables or cooked meats for a complete-style casserole dish
  2. always spray the slow cooker with cooking oil
  3. cook the pasta and drain it first if using uncooked more milk should be added
  4. use any kinds of cheese that melt easily
  5. leftover meats of any kind go great in this casserole
  6. this easily freezes in small containers
  7. use more cheese on top if you're a cheese lover
  8. only use whole milk for that ingredient or half and half 
  9. the best cracker crumbs are herb butter-flavored to use Italian flavored breadcrumbs




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Ingredients You Will Need to Make Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole


  • canned cheddar cheese soup
  • butter
  • evaporated milk
  • granulated garlic powder
  • whole milk, or half and half
  • any kind of pasta shape (we use elbows or baby shells) cooked and drained or use uncooked adding more milk
  • Italian-flavored bread crumbs
  • cheddar cheese or any other shredded cheese you prefer
  • thinly sliced mozzarella or Havarti cheese shredded
  • whipped cream cheese
  • see the recipe card for the rest of the ingredients and the exact measurements below and the instructions



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pin for later mac and cheese recipe


Easy Slow Cooker Recipes



Creamy, cheesy, buttery Mac and Cheese on a plate, all made in the slow cooker what can be easier?


We just love the ease of this slow cooker mac and cheese, it's just too good to be true!


You pretty much just dump everything into your crock pot and forget about it.


The results are exactly what everyone loves and will rave about after they try this.


It's so cheesy, creamy, and perfect for even a side dish to make ahead for holiday guests or picky eaters (everyone loves mac and cheese).


The crockpot does all the work while it frees up your time to do fun things in your day.


Just look at the printable recipe card below to make your shopping list for the best mac and cheese you'll ever eat!



Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Yield: 8
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 3 HourTotal time: 3 H & 15 M
This slow cooker mac and cheese is so easy made with several kinds of cheese and is the best recipe for busy cooks.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni, shell pasta, or spirals (as shown), cooked for around 10 minutes and then drained.
  • NOTE: .you can use dry pasta but will have to add enough milk to cover the pasta so you can't see it in the crockpot. Either way, this works, I have tried both and they both come out great! But the dry pasta needs more milk so you need to check it and make sure it doesn't dry out.
  • 1 (12 ounces) can evaporate milk or half and half
  • 2-1/2 cups milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 can of cheddar cheese soup
  • 4 tablespoons of whipped cream cheese
  • 4 tablespoons of melted butter
  • 4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic powder
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh chopped or dried parsley
  • cooking oil spray
  • *1/4 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs mixed in 2 tablespoons melted butter for topping

Instructions

  1. Place the cooked macaroni in a slow cooker that has been coated with nonstick vegetable spray.
  2. Add all the liquids, melted butter, soup, eggs, seasonings, add cheeses. (saving 1 cup of cheddar for the top) except for breadcrumbs.
  3. Mix well.
  4. Sprinkle with the rest of the shredded cheese then a 1/4 of a cup bread crumb topping spray the crumbs with cooking oil spray and lightly salt pepper to taste.
  5. Then cover and cook on the Low setting for 2 to 4 hours, or until the mixture is firm and golden around the edges.
  6. Do not remove the cover or stir.

Notes

Tips

  • add vegetables or cooked meats for a complete-style casserole dish
  • always spray the slow cooker with cooking oil
  • cook the pasta and drain it first if using uncooked more milk should be doubled or an extra can of evaporated milk
  • use any kinds of cheese that melt easily
  • leftover meats of any kind go great in this casserole
  • this easily freezes in small containers
  • Use more cheese on top if you're a cheese lover
  • Only use whole milk for that ingredient or half and half
  • The best cracker crumbs are herb butter-flavored to use Italian flavored breadcrumbs
  • use a 4 or 5-quart slow cooker 
  • slow cooker bags will work however you must spray them with cooking oil so the pasta doesn't stick to the bag


crockpot mac and cheese, slow cooker mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese made in a slow cooker
pasta recipes, cheese recipes, pasta and cheese recipes
American


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mac and cheese pin for later how to make in a slow cooker


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Crockpot Mac and Cheese in a slow cooker on a plate all cooked


19 comments

  1. What an interesting way to make Mac & Cheese. I was just thinking that I should use my crockpot more often; I'll have to try this recipe!

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  2. I've made a similar recipe, but didn't cook the macaroni before adding it to the crockpot. It makes it so easy!

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  3. This is really a unique way to make mac and cheese! I am going to have to give it a try!

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  4. And, the best part is your oven is open for other things! Great idea!!! Thanks Claudia :-) Kate @kateiscooking

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  5. I love mac n cheese - I had no idea it could be done in a crockpot, you clever girl!

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  6. I love your time saving way of cooking this. The recipe is going on my list to try. I am so bad when it comes to making M&C from scratch :)

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  7. This is an amazing idea! Perfect for winter after freezing in the cruddy office all day to come home to delicious homemade ready mac-n-cheese. I love your picture too.

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  8. I told my sister-in-law I would make mac and cheese for my nephew's first birthday. This looks like a real people pleaser! Thanks for the recipe. :)

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  9. well, I have never done this one - what a great idea... easy way esp with not precooking the pasta

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  10. gorgeous picture,claudia,and such a interesting your mac and cheese,love it

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  11. YUM! Mac n Cheese is my favorite! All time favorite. Will have to try the crockpot version sometime!!

    Erin

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  12. So delicious - am imagining coming home to this and then I realize - I don't have to imagine - I could just do it! Perfect fall fare.

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  13. yum! mac & cheese in an even easier way. looks delicious!

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  14. That looks absolutely heavenly! The crust sounds amazing, will definitely be making this soon!!

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  15. Everytime I see a crock pot recipe...I have a terrible itch...can't wait to have this appliance on my counter. The one I bought went straight back to the store.

    Love this recipe...it's B.marked for sure. Thanks for the tip on the pasta...makes sense.

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  16. Thank you Claudia, for a fantastic idea! I cook mac n cheese all the time and I use a slow cooker all the time, but I never did mac n cheese IN the slowcooker! DUH!!! My family thanks you, in advance - I am so going to do this! No turning on the oven - YAY!!!

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  17. I made this for my family and they absolutely loved it! I shared it with my facebook friends and everyone agrees this recipe rocks! thanks for sharing :)

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  18. Great Recepie...congratulations, I will tested!!!

    :-)

    João Silva

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Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia