Crock-Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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Written by: Crock-Pot Ladies 2 Comments

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Homemade mac & cheese is healthier than the store bought variety. With this recipe for Crock-Pot Macaroni and Cheese you know exactly what is in it!

Crock-Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (1)

Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

I don’t know a kid who doesn’t like macaroni and cheese and MY kids are no exception to that rule. While in a pinch, a box of store bought mac and cheese will do. But in my humble opinion homemade is always better than anything you are going to find in a pouch of powder.

We have tried several homemade macaroni & cheese recipes over the years. Cooked on the stove top, baked in the oven and now this yummy version made in the slow cooker. And I have to say…this recipe, the kids absolutely adore!

This recipe makes about 4 servings which I think is perfect if I am making it just for the kids or I am going to serve it as a side dish to go along with a main entree and vegetables. But if you need to make a bigger batch this recipe doubles easily and because the pasta noodles are cooked on the stove-top you do not really need to adjust the cooking time and your elbow macaroni won’t get mushy.

We now make this macaroni & cheese recipe in the slow cooker on a fairly regular basis and love it.

Hope you do too!

Crock-Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the pasta in this macaroni and cheese recipe be cooked in the slow cooker?

Pasta can be a tricky item to cook in the slow cooker and in most recipes we recommend cooking the pasta on the stove-top in boiling water according to the directions on the package. Cook the pasta just until done or slightly under-cooked and then add the pasta to the slow cooker at the end.

This ensures pasta that is perfectly cooked and not mushy.

Special Diets

High Fiber | Low Sugar | Vegetarian

Crock-Pot Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

Heidi Kennedy

Everyone LOVES this recipe for macaroni and cheese cooked in the slow cooker. It tastes fantastic and the noodles don’t get mushy. Freshly ground black pepper, mustard powder and garlic provide a ton of flavor to a classic American mac & cheese!

4.32 from 29 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine American

Ingredients

2 cups Macaroni Pasta (uncooked)
2 ½ cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Milk
10.75 ounces Canned Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
½ cup Sour Cream
4 tablespoons Butter
3 cloves Garlic (finely minced)
½ teaspoon Ground Mustard
½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

In a pot on the stove top follow the directions on the package of macaroni noodles and cook until the noodles are slightly under cooked. Drain.
Spray a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or line with a slow cooker liner to prevent sticking.
Add the cheddar cheese, milk, cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, butter, garlic, ground mustard, salt and pepper to the slow cooker and mix everything together well.
Add the drained pasta to the slow cooker and stir to coat all the pasta in the cheese sauce.
Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
Top with additional shredded cheese before serving if desired and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe serves 4. You can easily double the ingredients and cook it in a 6 quart slow cooker for 3 to 3.5 hours on LOW.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Rate the recipe and then let us know how it was!

Crock-Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (5)

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Comments

kelly jones says
May 1, 2019 at 12:11 PM
The “note about pasta” says to “add the pasta to the slow cooker at the end”, but the method outlines to cook the noodles in the sauce for 2 to 2.5 hours. Which is right?
Reply
- Crock-Pot Ladies says
  May 2, 2019 at 6:33 AM
  The pasta in this recipe is cooked 2 to 2.5 hours in the slow cooker in the sauce.
  Reply

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Crock-Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is milk or water better for mac and cheese? ›

Using plain water from the tap dilutes the flavor of your mac in a way that using starchy pasta water does not. Similarly, adding milk is a good way to make your pasta creamy, but it runs the potential of making your sauce too rich.

Discover More ›

Why is there evaporated milk in mac and cheese? ›

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Get More Info ›

What cheeses are not to use for mac and cheese? ›

Dry, crumbly cheeses like feta or cotija are not ideal.

Explore More ›

Is milk or heavy cream better for mac and cheese? ›

Heavy whipping cream (or half and half) is the perfect substitute for milk in mac and cheese. This is actually a great option! The thicker consistency will produce a dreamy, creamy sauce that everyone will love. The flavor is bolder and richer, too, and you may enjoy it more than the original.

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How to keep macaroni & cheese creamy? ›

Butter and flour: The combination of butter and flour thickens our creamy cheese sauce. You'll cook them together on the stove and then add the milk. The mixture thickens, and you can add your cheese.

Read The Full Story ›

Why is my mac and cheese never creamy? ›

Pro Tip: Don't use pre-shredded cheese. Many store-bought shredded cheese brands coat their cheese with an anti-caking agent than can make sauces grainy and less creamy. While it requires a bit of an arm workout, grating your own yields the best texture.

Tell Me More ›

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

If your mac and cheese tastes bland, it's either because it's under-seasoned, you didn't use flavorful cheese, or you didn't use enough cheese. Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it.

Read The Full Story ›

Why do people put sour cream in mac and cheese? ›

Sour cream: Sour cream helps thicken the creamy sauce and lends a lovely, subtle tang that pairs beautifully with the cheese and mustard powder. Velveeta: Velveeta is our secret ingredient for a luscious and creamy mac and cheese sauce.

What are the ingredients in Gordon Food Service mac and cheese? ›

COOKED ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, SEMOLINA [MILLED WHEAT, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WATER, CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO [COLOR]), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES ...

Learn More ›

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style. Cheeses for flavor: cheddar, havarti, smoked gouda, gorgonzola, feta and any other of your favorites.