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Now you can come home to a super creamy and delicious mac and cheese thanks to this Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. The slow cooker does all the work for this amazing comfort food recipe.
We are huge fans of macaroni and cheese and finally have perfected the best recipe. It has the perfect blend of cheese and tastes amazing. Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect side to feed a crowd.
This Kid Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes is perfect for a potluck or just an easy side for a weeknight dinner. We even love serving as an easy Thanksgiving Recipe or as a Christmas side dish.
I love making homemade macaroni and cheese instead of using the box stuff. I know exactly what I am feeding my family and I adjust the ingredients to what we like. Try these other Mac and Cheese Recipes – Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe, Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe, Quick and Easy Weeknight Macaroni and Cheese Recipe, Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe, White Cheddar Mac and Cheese and Tiktok Mac and Cheese.
What's in this post: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Why This Recipe Works
If you are looking for an easy side dish for your next holiday or get-together, make this easy crockpot macaroni and cheese. It is always a crowd pleaser and can easily be put together.
This is a great dish when you are looking for side dishes that doesn’t require baking. You can toss all the ingredients in the crock pot and let it the slow cooker do all the work. There is no need to spend hours stirring the mac and cheese.
The ingredients are easy and combining the two flavors of cheese makes this creamy texture recipe so flavorful. Everything gets placed in the crock pot for an easy process. You do not need to cook the noodles before adding to the crock pot.
Ingredients
For the full recipe and ingredients, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.
Variation Ideas
- Change the Cheeses – We recommend using different cheeses. It adds flavor and it is fun to change the flavor. American cheese is also a family favorite.
- Make it spicy – If you like your mac and cheese to be spicy, mix in some jalapenos, cayenne pepper or green chilies.
- Add in Bacon – We love the added flavor that bacon gives mac and cheese. You can sprinkle in bacon bits or chop up freshly cooked bacon.
- Change the pasta – Use different types of pasta. Some ideas include bowtie, shells, penne and more. Just use what you have.
How to Make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Step 1 – Add uncooked elbow macaroni to crock pot – Place the uncooked pasta in the bottom of the slow cooker. I used a 6 quart crock pot.
Step 2 – Top with butter and cream cheese – Cut the butter and the cream cheese over the pasta. Season with salt, pepper and any other spices.
Step 3 – Add the liquid – Pour the milk and cream on top.
Step 4 – Cook on Low – Cook on low for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the pasta is chewy.
Step 5 – Add in the two cheeses – Stir in the cheeses.
Step 6 – Cook until creamy cheesy is melted – Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Step 7 – Stir in more milk if not immediately stirring – Add more milk if needed or if you are going to have it sit for a while.
Helpful Tips
- Cheese – The key to making the best Crockpot Mac and Cheese is the special blend of cheeses. Cooking in the crockpot at just right amount of time, to make all these cheeses melt perfectly together for a crispy top.
- Room Temperature Ingredients – Make sure that all your ingredients are at room temperature. They just blend better instead of being pulled straight out of the refrigerator.
- Whole Milk – We like using whole milk. But if all you have is low-fat milk I would use that. It may not be as creamy but it is still just as delicious. You can use evaporated milk as well.
- Hand Shred Cheese – Make sure to skip the bag pre shredded cheese. Shredding your own cheese is much better and there are no added ingredients.
Can I Make this Ahead and Reheat it?
We do not recommend making ahead and reheating it. The macaroni and cheese is never the same after reheating it. If you do reheat it, we recommend adding milk to increase the moisture.
I would reheat in on the stovetop or microwave. Reheating on the stovetop prevents the mac and cheese having hot spots.
Why was My Mac and Cheese Gritty?
When choosing cheese for the mac and cheese make sure you hand shred the cheese. The already shredded cheese has added ingredients which can make your mac and cheese gritty.
Grating the cheese yourself is a game changer for this mac and cheese recipe. It makes it so creamy and delicious.
Cheese Options
Yes, you can easily change the cheeses for this recipe. Try one of these options.
- Gruyere
- Gouda
- Muenster
- Parmesan
- Monterrey Jack
Serving Suggestions
This mac and cheese is a staple holiday side dish. We even make it for an easy weeknight meal. Here are some of our favorite main dishes to serve with this delicious side dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. The leftovers will stay good for about 3 to 5 days.
You can easily make this recipe to feed a larger crowd. Just double the ingredients and cook as directed. Easy!
When making this mac and cheese, I recommend serving immediately after is finished cooking. You can keep the mac and cheese on warm for awhile but it could result in it being a bit mushy.
The main ingredient you are cooking is the macaroni noodles to al dente and melting the cheese sauce. So checking for doneness after cooking the recipe is key on keeping the mac and cheese from getting to mushy. The cooking time could vary.
More Crockpot Side Dishes
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Glazed Carrots
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Stuffing
We love to hear from you. If you make this slow cooker mac and cheese recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz macaroni uncooked
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoons pepper
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese freshly shredded
Instructions
- Place the uncooked pasta in the bottom of the slow cooker. I used a 6 quart crock pot.
- Cut the butter and the cream cheese over the pasta.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the milk and cream on top.
- Cook on low for 1.5 hours, or until the pasta is chewy.
- Stir in the cheeses.
- Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Add more milk if needed or if you are going to have it sit for a while.
can i make this on the stove top if I boil and strain the noodles first?
yes you can. I have an amazing stove top macaroni and cheese recipe that I think you will love.
Can I cook on high heat?
I don’t recommend cooking this one on high as the cream cheese, milk and cream could curdle in the crock pot on the higher heat.
Do you think I could use gluten-free noodles? ? This is my daughter’s favorite recipe and usually makes it for Friendsgiving and our family Thanksgiving but this year I’ve been eating GF because of some health issues so we were wondering ?…?
Yes you can. In my experience, gluten free noodles cook faster, so I would watching it more in the slow cooker.
When shredding block cheese, how much block cheese equals a cup?
4 ounces is generally equal to one cup of cheese once it’s shredded.
Can you make a 2x in a 6qt crockpot?
Yes, I think so, but it will require additional cook time to make sure it all gets cooked through so make sure to use the longer of the cook time.
Hi! This recipe looks delicious! Do you know if it freezes well? Currently, my partner buys canned mac and cheese. I would love to find an instant pot version I could sock away in the freezer – cheaper and without in unidentifiable ingredients (delicious, but better as an occasional thing).
I haven’t tried freezing it yet, so I’m not sure.
Can you double this in the crock pot?
Yes, you can as long as the ingredients will fit in your crock pot.
I LOVE chicken pot pie and I spent lots of money purchasing precooked frozen pot pies. It was a chilly day in Los Angeles (lol) and I was craving the comforting warm and soothing taste of pot pie. I made this in the afternoon and had it for dinner. It was delicious. and I have plenty left over to take for lunch to the office. So good.
I believe mac and cheese goes good with just about anything!! It’s the perfect side that everyone loves, even the picky eaters!!
We make pretty close to this recipe. We use Monterey Jack instead if Pepper Jack.
I too make a crockpot mac & cheese, but will try your recipe as for a different take on it. I like to serve it with smothered pork chops, a ham, ribs or various other meats. I usually use a combinnation of sharp and mild cheddar, but sometimes use colby jack as well.