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Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is ultra creamy, and SO easy!  No boiling pasta, no velveeta, and no condensed soups needed.  Perfect side dish or kid-friendly dinner option! #macandcheese #macaroniandcheese #crockpot #slowcooker #easyrecipe #sidedish #potluck #holiday
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4.50 from 30 votes

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

The ultimate creamy comfort food, this mac and cheese recipe is made completely in the slow cooker!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crockpot mac and cheese, crockpot side dish, slow cooker side dish
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 745kcal
Author: The Chunky Chef

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. uncooked elbow pasta (or other shortcut pasta)
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter cubed
  • 12 oz. can evaporated milk (use whole milk, not low fat)
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (unsalted or reduced sodium)
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground mustard
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp paprika (or cayenne pepper if you like a small kick)
  • 2 to 3 oz. cream cheese (cubed) at room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  • Spray a 4 quart slow cooker insert with cooking spray. Add pasta, butter, evaporated milk, chicken broth, heavy cream, salt, ground mustard, black pepper, and paprika. Stir well to combine.
  • Smooth pasta into an even layer, trying to press it down into the liquid. Not all of it will be submerged, and that's okay. Cover and cook on LOW for 1 hour.
  • Remove lid and stir. At first it will be a big clump, but as soon as you start to stir, it will break up easily. Spread back into an even layer again. Cover and cook on LOW another 10-15 minutes or so, or until pasta is chewy. Not crunchy, but not finished cooking either.
  • Remove lid and add cubed cream cheese and grated cheeses. Stir well, cover and let sit (with the heat off), for 5-10 minutes.
  • Keep stirring and you'll see a glorious cheese sauce appear! Serve hot.

Video

Notes

  1. Mac and cheese will thicken slightly as it cools.
  2. Other cheeses can be used if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 745kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 1002mg | Potassium: 481mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1358IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 585mg | Iron: 2mg