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Crock Pot Cheesy Mac and Cheese Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 73 reviews
  • Author: Villerius
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This creamy and cheesy Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is an easy, comforting dish perfect for holidays and family gatherings. Made with a blend of whole milk, heavy cream, sour cream, and plenty of shredded cheese, this slow cooker recipe delivers perfectly cooked al dente macaroni with a rich, velvety cheese sauce without the stress of stovetop monitoring.

Ingredients

Scale

Liquids & Dairy

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup butter, cubed

Dry Ingredients & Seasoning

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Cheese

  • 16 oz shredded cheese (about 4 cups)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crock Pot: Spray the crockpot with olive oil spray or rub it thoroughly with butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine Liquids and Seasonings: In the slow cooker, add water, whole milk, heavy cream, sour cream, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk well until combined and smooth.
  3. Add Pasta: Stir in the elbow macaroni to ensure it’s evenly distributed in the liquid base.
  4. Top with Butter: Place the cubed butter on top of the mixture without stirring it in.
  5. Cook the Pasta: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 1 to 1.5 hours. Check at 1 hour for doneness; the macaroni should be al dente and not overly soft to avoid mushiness.
  6. Add Cheese: Once the pasta is perfectly cooked, add the shredded cheese to the crockpot and stir it gently to combine well.
  7. Melt the Cheese: Cover again and cook for an additional 15 to 30 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
  8. Serve: Stir the mac and cheese once more before serving warm, enjoying the rich, comforting flavors.

Notes

  • This recipe yields a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese that is easy to make and stays warm in the crockpot for serving.
  • Be careful not to overcook the pasta to avoid mushiness; check pasta at the 1-hour mark.
  • Perfect side dish for holidays or feeding a crowd.
  • You can customize the shredded cheese blend according to your preference (e.g., sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda).

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3/4 cup
  • Calories: 302 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 367 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg

Find it online: https://emilyscook.com/crock-pot-cheesy-mac-and-cheese-recipe/