Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe
This creamy and comforting Crockpot Mac and Cheese recipe combines sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses with elbow macaroni cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. Easy to prepare and ideal for a hands-off meal, it results in a rich, cheesy dish with a velvety texture, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
- Author: Mila
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Pasta
Cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Liquids & Dairy
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente, about 7–8 minutes. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking in the crockpot.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: In your slow cooker, add the drained macaroni, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, whole milk, butter, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Slow cook to creamy perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 2 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking. If the mixture seems too thick, add a bit more milk to adjust the consistency to your liking.
- Serve hot: Once the mac and cheese is creamy, bubbly, and heated through, spoon it into serving dishes and enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use whole milk for creamier texture; you can substitute with 2% milk but the dish will be less rich.
- Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent cheese from sticking or burning on the sides of the slow cooker.
- If more cheesiness is desired, add an extra half cup of shredded cheese before serving.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Keywords: crockpot mac and cheese, slow cooker macaroni and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy comfort food, cheesy pasta