Description
Creamy, cheesy Crockpot Mac n Cheese delivers comfort straight from your slow cooker’s warmth. Families will savor this classic American pasta dish with its rich blend of melted cheeses and smooth, hearty texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (453 grams) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, cubed
Dairy Ingredients:
- 1 (12 ounces/340 grams) can evaporated milk
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot by thoroughly coating the interior with nonstick cooking spray to ensure effortless food release and easy cleanup.
- Pour uncooked macaroni into the crockpot, then introduce melted butter, evaporated milk, whole milk, and heavy cream, creating a rich liquid base for the pasta.
- Season the mixture with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and mustard powder, whisking thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly throughout the liquid.
- Gently fold in three cups of shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and cubed cream cheese, ensuring each cheese variety is well-integrated into the pasta mixture.
- Cover the crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing the ingredients to meld together for approximately 1 hour, stirring periodically to prevent pasta from clumping.
- After the initial cooking period, assess the pasta’s tenderness and redistribute the contents to promote uniform cooking and prevent scorching.
- When pasta reaches desired consistency, incorporate the remaining cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt seamlessly into the creamy sauce for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Once the cheese has completely melted and the pasta is tender, turn off the crockpot and let the mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to achieve optimal consistency.
Notes
- Experiment with cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles and customize the mac and cheese.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular macaroni with gluten-free pasta alternatives like chickpea or rice pasta without changing cooking times.
- Enhance creaminess by adding a dollop of cream cheese or Greek yogurt during the final stirring stage for extra richness and tang.
- Boost nutritional value by mixing in roasted vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, or spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking for added texture and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg