Description
Cheesy mac & cheese crockpot magic delivers pure comfort straight from slow-cooking heaven. Creamy, rich layers of pasta and melted cheese promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese:
- 3 cups (300g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100g) shredded Gruyere or Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Dairy:
- 16 oz (450g) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 4 cups (960ml) whole milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
Seasonings and Garnish:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker surface by applying a thin layer of cooking spray or butter to prevent ingredients from adhering to the sides and bottom.
- Pour uncooked macaroni directly into the slow cooker, creating an even base layer for the creamy mixture.
- Gently incorporate whole milk, evaporated milk, and melted butter, ensuring thorough blending of liquid components.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyere cheeses evenly across the surface, distributing them throughout the pasta.
- Enhance flavor profile by adding garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, salt, and black pepper, mixing all ingredients until uniformly combined.
- Cover the slow cooker and set temperature to low, allowing the dish to gently simmer and develop rich, creamy textures.
- Stir the mixture every 45 minutes to prevent pasta from clumping and ensure consistent cheese distribution.
- Verify pasta tenderness and cheese melting after approximately 2.5 hours of cooking.
- Transition slow cooker to warm setting once pasta reaches desired consistency and cheese becomes fully incorporated.
- Optionally garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives to add a bright, herbaceous finish before serving hot and creamy.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Clumping by stirring every half hour, ensuring even cooking and preventing stuck-together noodles.
- Cheese Selection Matters, so experiment with sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or fontina for deeper flavor profiles beyond traditional choices.
- Lactose-Free Adaptation works perfectly by substituting whole milk with almond or oat milk and using dairy-free cheese alternatives without compromising creamy texture.
- Crispiness Hack allows adding breadcrumbs or crushed crackers during the last 30 minutes of cooking for delightful crunchy topping contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 624
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 97mg