This macaroni and cheese is total perfection, my kids absolutely adore it and ask for it every week. Pair it with dishes such as Cajun shrimp, pan seared chicken breast, burnt ends, roasted chicken and sauteed asparagus for a complete meal that’s sure to get rave reviews. I’ve found that homemade mac and cheese can be a little tricky to get right. Sometimes I have issues with the sauce separating or being grainy from the flour, and I find that baked versions of mac and cheese can dry out easily. This slow cooker mac and cheese recipe is practically fool proof; it comes out ultra creamy every time thanks to a secret ingredient. This is one of my go-to side dish recipes for any occasion!
Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Ingredients
This recipe calls for corkscrew pasta (cavatappi), butter, evaporated milk, half and half, sharp cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, onion powder and paprika. The sercret ingredient is American cheese, and not just any American cheese. You want to skip the plastic wrapped slices and buy a block of American cheese at the deli counter for best results. I also like to add a little parsley for flavor and color, but that’s an optional step.
How Do You Make Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese?
This crock pot mac and cheese is very simple to make. The first step is to boil your noodles. Slow cooker mac and cheese can sometimes come out with mushy, overcooked pasta if it cooks for too long. To avoid that, I use a heartier noodle like cavatappi, and I undercook it by 2 minutes before I put it into the slow cooker. The noodles are coated with butter, then mixed with cheese, evaporated milk, half and half, and seasonings. Cook everything together, then stir up the noodles in the cheese sauce. In about 2 hours you’ll have mac and cheese perfection! Add a little fresh parsley if you like, then serve and enjoy.
Tips For Perfect Crock Pot Mac And Cheese
The cook time for this mac and cheese varies a bit depending on your slow cooker. I find that some of the older slow cookers tend to run on the hot side and have less heat settings. If you’ve got an older crock pot, cook this mac and cheese for about 1 1/2 hours to avoid mushy noodles. If you’ve got a more modern crock pot with multiple heat settings, cook on the lowest setting for 2 hours. Either way you’ll want to stir the mac a few times during the cooking process. If it looks soupy at the end of the cook time, just keep stirring and it will come together into a smooth sauce. This recipe also works well as a stovetop mac and cheese. Cook the pasta for the full amount of time as directed on the box. Place it in a pot on the stove with the rest of the ingredients, then stir to combine. Cook for 5-7 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. I prefer to use corkscrew pasta because I find that the added texture holds up better in the crock pot. If you have elbow macaroni on hand, you can use that too. Just be aware it may need less time in the slow cooker. If you can’t order a block of American cheese at the deli counter, feel free to use deli style sliced American, or even Velveeta. Leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can reheat your leftovers in the microwave or on the stove over low heat. This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Pair it with other holiday dishes such as homemade cranberry sauce, deep fried turkey, smoked prime rib and sausage stuffing.
Flavor Variations
This recipe is very easy to customize to suit your taste preferences.
Protein: Make your macaroni and cheese a meal by stirring in diced ham, cooked sausage or shredded chicken during the last 30 minutes of the cook time. Vegetables: Feel free to add cooked veggies of your choice during the last 10 minutes of the cook time. Some great options include broccoli, spinach or peas. Toppings: Finish your mac and cheese with a sprinkle of cooked bacon, or some crushed buttery crackers. Flavorings: Add some extra spices to your dish such as garlic powder, Cajun seasoning or even a little cayenne pepper for heat. You can also swap out the half anf half for heavy cream for an extra rich mac.
Once you try this mac and cheese, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis for dinners, parties and potlucks. My kids prefer this mac and cheese over any other variety!
Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Video
