Description
This Crockpot Mac and Cheese is the kind of easy dinner that makes everyone at the table happy. It is ultra creamy, rich, cheesy, and perfect for busy weeknights, holiday sides, potlucks, and cozy comfort food cravings. Whether you need quick dinner ideas, an easy recipe for family meals, or crowd-pleasing food ideas that feel homemade with very little effort, this slow cooker macaroni and cheese delivers every time.
Ingredients
16 ounces elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons butter, melted
12 ounces evaporated milk
2 cups whole milk
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter for toasting breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni 2 to 3 minutes less than package directions. Drain well.
2. Lightly grease the inside of the crockpot with butter or nonstick spray.
3. Add the drained macaroni to the crockpot. Stir in the melted butter, evaporated milk, whole milk, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
4. Cover and cook on low for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring once or twice if possible, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
5. In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and toast the panko breadcrumbs until golden brown.
6. Spoon the mac and cheese into bowls or onto plates and top with toasted breadcrumbs and chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and gives the sauce a creamier finish.
Do not overcook the pasta before adding it to the crockpot or it can turn too soft later.
Add a splash of warm milk when reheating leftovers to loosen the sauce and bring back the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 88mg