Crockpot Mac and Cheese

5 from 5 votes
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This is an easy crockpot mac and cheese recipe that is as delicious as it is lazy. No fake cheeses or condensed soups, just noodles, cheese, and milk!

A bowl of mac and cheese topped with parsley and cheese.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for the Perfect Mac and Cheese
  2. How to Make Mac and Cheese in the Crockpot
  3. Tips for the Creamiest Mac and Cheese
  4. Variations of the Best Mac and Cheese Recipe
  5. What to Serve with Easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese
  6. FAQs
  7. Storing Leftovers and Reheating Ideas
  8. More Macaroni Recipes
  9. How to Make Crockpot Mac and Cheese
  10. Easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe

So many mac and cheese recipes are filled with ingredients like Velveeta cheese, condensed cheddar cheese soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, sour cream, and even mayonnaise. I wanted a recipe that was made with lots of REAL cheese but was still creamy and smooth. This recipe nails it!

I love to make this up in the crockpot on a weeknight when I don’t feel like standing over a hot stove. Make the perfect crockpot mac and cheese with pantry staple ingredients, fresh ingredients that are whole and pure. Skip the stove top and add all the ingredients into the crockpot and let it do all the work!

Ingredients for the Perfect Mac and Cheese

Take your uncooked pasta and add it to the crockpot first, then pour two kinds of milk for creaminess, freshly shredded cheese, and all the spices to make this the perfect mac and cheese ever! No grocery store can make dinner this good. This mac and cheese recipe is so good you can serve it at Thanksgiving and Christmas!

  • Elbow Macaroni Noodles – To avoid soggy noodles, use a good brand of pasta. Thicker noodles or noodles with ridges will absorb the sauce without getting too soft.
  • Whole Milk – Its gotta be whole milk. Nothing else will get you a creamy sauce.
  • Evaporated Milk – Evaporated milk is a shelf-stable cow’s milk that has had most of the water evaporated from it. It helps to make the sauce smooth and creamy! DO NOT get it mixed up with sweetened condensed milk, it is NOT the same thing.
  • Cheese – Use flavorful, meltable cheeses like cheddar, American, Gruyere, fontina, or Monterey for the best crockpot mac and cheese.
  • Spices – These spices are optional, but I think they add so much flavor to the mac and cheese. I like to use salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dry mustard powder, and cayenne pepper.
  • Butter – A little bit of butter on top just adds more flavor to the cheese sauce.
A scoop of mac and cheese taken from a crock pot.


How to Make Mac and Cheese in the Crockpot

Slow cooker mac is the best way to make a creamy texture mac and cheese dish! It is a simple step-by-step recipe that gives you the creamiest crockpot mac and cheese ever! Add all the ingredients to the crockpot and let the crockpot do all the work!

  1. Combine – Spray the crockpot with a little bit of cooking spray. Add noodles, both types of cheese, both kinds of milk, and spices to the pot. Stir to combine. Try to press the noodles into the liquid as much as possible.
  2. Butter – Add cubes of butter scattered over the top.
  3. Cook – Place the lid on the crockpot and set it to LOW. Cook for 1 hour, then stir.
  4. Serve – Place the lid back on and continue to check the pasta and stir every 15 minutes until the noodles are cooked. Stir and serve.

Tips for the Creamiest Mac and Cheese

Mac n cheese is known to be kid friendly, easy to make, and a comforting food dish! Take your cheese to the next level with this easy crockpot mac and cheese recipe. Follow these helpful tips to create the best mac and cheese yet!

  • Shred your cheese – The most important tip for making creamy, smooth crockpot mac and cheese is to shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in an additive that will make your sauce gritty. The cheese will not melt as well. Purchase a block of high-quality cheese at the deli counter and shred it yourself. I promise you will thank me!
  • Cook on low – Keep your crockpot on LOW. If you cook the mac and cheese on high, then the noodles will become mushy and the cheese won’t melt properly.
  • Milk tip – Use whole milk. Skim milk and other non-dairy milks will not produce a creamy sauce.
  • Serving – Serve immediately after cooking. If the sauce sits after cooking, it will become gritty. If it has to sit for a minute before you eat, you may need to loosen the sauce with a little milk.

Variations of the Best Mac and Cheese Recipe

Mac and Cheese make a great side dish for BBQs and potlucks. It also makes a delicious burger topping! If you want to make your crockpot mac and cheese into a full meal, then consider adding some toppings. Below is a list of our favorite meats, veggies, and sauces to serve with mac and cheese.

  • Meat – Bacon, diced ham, and smoked sausage are all great ways to add a little protein to the crockpot mac and cheese.
  • Cheese – Modify the cheese to sharp cheddar cheese, American cheese, and Monterey jack cheese. Make sure the cheese is not too soft that it won’t melt properly.
  • Veggies – Make it healthy with veggies! Peas, broccoli, chopped asparagus, or green onions add that extra crunchy texture to the dinner. This is a great way to get your kiddos to each their veggies too!
  • Greens – Take it up a notch and add arugula or fresh parsley for a fancy crockpot mac and cheese dinner!
  • Sauces – BBQ sauce, balsamic glaze, or even ketchup for different tastes and blends of mac and cheese.
  • Spicy – Red Pepper Flakes or sriracha add just enough heat to still be tasty!
  • Seasoning – Add in Paprika, onion powder, or everything bagel seasoning.

What to Serve with Easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Make a complete meal with these simple family dinner ideas that have the crockpot mac and cheese as a side dish or main dish. These are quick and easy meals that can be cooked alongside the mac and cheese and ready at the same time. They are the perfect combination!

  • Pulled Pork – Make this a delicious dinner with your favorite pulled pork recipe. It is quick and easy to make with two flavorful dishes!
  • BBQ Chicken – Turn your mac and cheese into a side dish with this BBQ chicken recipe. It is the perfect combination and the best way to be outside.
  • Hot Dogs – A kid’s dream is mac and cheese with hot dogs! It is the best combination for kids and adults.
  • Chicken tenders – You have to love a good chicken tender or nugget when you see one. This is a classic lunch or simple dinner that your family will be thanking you for plus, clean-up is a breeze!
A spoonful of mac and cheese made in a crock pot.

“My daughter asks for this over and over! Thanks for an easy (and tasty!) recipe!”

-Phoebe

FAQs

How do you keep homemade mac and cheese creamy?

A little tip we like to do is undercooked the pasta. Use rich cream of milk or half and half to give it that nice creamy texture. Season and stir together. The less you stir the better at the beginning. The more you stir the more it will clump and separate.

Is it better to make mac and cheese with milk or water?

Milk! We used two types of milk to make this crockpot mac and cheese extra creamy. The combination of cheese and milk makes this crockpot mac and cheese out of this world!

Why is my homemade mac and cheese clumpy?

Don’t add your cheese all at once. Slowly add in your cheese as it is melting in the crockpot. Stir as you are adding it in. The liquid and pasta will evenly melt together and avoid any clumping.

Can you put uncooked noodles in the crockpot?

Yes! In this recipe you don’t need to cook the noodles first. They will cook in the milk in the crockpot.

Can I use other pasta shapes?

Yes, you can use other pasta shapes as long as they are about the same size/thickness as elbows. Shells are a great option!

Storing Leftovers and Reheating Ideas

I am going to be 100% honest, this mac and cheese is best eaten immediately after cooking. If it sits or if you put it in the fridge it will not keep well. The sauce will separate and become gritty. If you have to store leftovers, put them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop and add a little milk.

More Macaroni Recipes

Making recipes with macaroni is the perfect way to create a quick and easy side dish or dinner. Macaroni pasta is simple to boil and add to so many easy ingredients making the best dishes out there. Kids to adults love macaroni and all the deliciousness that goes with it!

How to Make Crockpot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of mac and cheese topped with parsley and cheese

Easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese

5 from 5 votes
This is an easy crock pot mac and cheese recipe that is as delicious as it is lazy. No fake cheeses or condensed soups, just noodles, cheese, and milk!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course pasta
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Video

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker or Crockpot

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Spray the crockpot with a little bit of cooking spray. Add noodles, cheeses, milks, and spices to the pot. Stir to combine. Try to press the noodles into the liquid as much as possible.
    noodles, milk, and cheese in a crock pot
  • Add cubes of butter scattered over the top.
    noodles, milk, and cheese in a crock pot topped with butter
  • Place the lid on the crockpot and set it to LOW. Cook for 1 hour, then stir.
    Crock Pot mac and cheese after one hour of cooking
  • Place the lid back on and continue to check pasta and stir every 15 minutes until the noodles are cooked. Stir and serve.
    Mac and cheese in a crock pot

Notes

My crockpot usually cooks this recipe in an hour and a half, but every crockpot is different so make sure to keep checking the noodles for doneness. 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 808kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 37gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 1465mgPotassium: 564mgFiber: 3gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 1310IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 915mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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