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Crockpot Mac and Cheese

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This easy, ultra-creamy crockpot mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food for parties, potlucks, or busy weeknights. With a velvety cheese sauce and hands-off slow cooker method, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that stays delicious for hours.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz (about 4 cups) elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 4 cups (16 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups (8 oz) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 12 oz can evaporated milk
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together whole milk, evaporated milk, softened cream cheese, melted butter, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and mustard powder until smooth (about 2 minutes).
  3. Pour uncooked elbow macaroni into a 4–6 quart slow cooker. Sprinkle the shredded cheeses over the noodles.
  4. Pour the milk mixture evenly over the noodles and cheese. Gently stir to distribute (do not overmix).
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring once halfway through. Check at 1.5 hours if your slow cooker runs hot.
  6. If the sauce looks thin, let it rest—it will thicken as it cools. If noodles are underdone, cook in 15-minute increments, stirring gently.
  7. Once noodles are tender and sauce is creamy, stir one last time and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Serve hot directly from the slow cooker. For a crispy topping, transfer to a broiler-safe dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and broil for 2–3 minutes (optional).

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheese for a smoother sauce. If doubling the recipe, add 10–15 minutes to the cook time and stir every hour. For gluten-free, use GF pasta and check for doneness early. Add-ins like bacon, green chiles, or smoked paprika can be stirred in after cooking for extra flavor. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot mac and cheese, slow cooker mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, party side dish, comfort food, kid friendly, vegetarian mac and cheese

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/crockpot-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-creamy-and-perfect-for-parties/