Description
Crockpot Mac and Cheese is the kind of creamy comfort food that makes everyone head back for seconds. This easy recipe is perfect for holiday dinners, potlucks, weeknight meals, and cozy family gatherings because the slow cooker does most of the work for you. With tender elbow pasta, a rich blend of cheeses, and a velvety homemade sauce, this dish fits right in with your favorite easy dinner ideas, comfort food recipes, side dish recipes, and crowd-pleasing food ideas.
Ingredients
16 ounces elbow macaroni
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
12 ounces evaporated milk
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni for 4 to 5 minutes, just until slightly underdone. Drain well.
2. Lightly grease the inside of a slow cooker.
3. Add the macaroni, cheddar, mozzarella, Colby Jack, and cream cheese to the slow cooker.
4. Pour in the evaporated milk, whole milk, and melted butter.
5. Add the beaten eggs, dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
6. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined.
7. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring once halfway through if needed, until the pasta is tender and the sauce is creamy.
8. In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and toast the panko breadcrumbs until golden brown.
9. Spoon the mac and cheese into serving bowls and top with toasted panko and chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest sauce since pre-shredded cheese can make the texture a little grainy.
Do not overcook the pasta before adding it to the slow cooker or it can turn too soft by the end.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 132mg
Keywords: crockpot mac and cheese, slow cooker mac and cheese, easy dinner, comfort food, side dish, cheesy pasta, holiday side dish