Ultimate Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Table of Contents

• Unmatched Ultra Cheesy Comfort Food. This recipe elevates classic mac and cheese to new heights by incorporating not one, not two, but three distinct types of cheese, with cream cheese as a star player. This unique combination doesn’t just add more cheese; it creates an incredible depth of flavor and an unbelievably creamy, smooth texture that simply melts in your mouth. Each bite is a luxurious experience, rich with savory notes and a delightful tang that will make you wonder why you ever made it any other way. Prepare for a truly wow-worthy dish that will satisfy even the most intense cheese cravings.
• The Ultimate Dinner Solution for Busy Families. Traditional macaroni and cheese, while delicious, often requires a significant time commitment for boiling pasta, preparing a roux, shredding cheese, and then baking. Our Crock Pot Mac and Cheese eliminates much of this effort. It’s a truly “set it and forget it” recipe, allowing you to toss the ingredients into your slow cooker in the morning and return home to a perfectly cooked, hot, and ready-to-eat meal. This hands-off cooking method is ideal for hectic weekdays, freeing up your evening for family time, homework, or simply relaxing. Forget about constantly monitoring the stovetop or draining pasta water – this recipe simplifies dinner without compromising on taste.
• Excellent for Freezing and Quick Meal Prep. Planning ahead is key for maintaining a balanced diet and managing a busy lifestyle, and this slow cooker mac and cheese is a fantastic candidate for meal prepping. Its robust structure and rich sauce hold up exceptionally well to freezing, making it perfect for preparing larger batches. Simply portion out leftovers into freezer-safe containers, and you’ll have instant comfort food ready for those days when cooking feels impossible. Reheating is a breeze, whether in the microwave, on the stovetop, or back in the slow cooker, providing a convenient and delicious option for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.

• Pasta: For an authentic and satisfying mac and cheese experience, we highly recommend using classic elbow macaroni. Its small, curved shape is perfect for cradling the creamy cheese sauce. However, feel free to experiment with other small pasta shapes like rotini, shells, or even ziti. The key is to choose a pasta that will cook evenly and absorb the rich flavors. Ensure your pasta is uncooked before adding it to the slow cooker, as it will cook directly in the sauce.
• Cream cheese: This ingredient is truly the secret weapon behind the unparalleled creaminess and slight tang of our slow cooker mac and cheese. Full-fat cream cheese is ideal for achieving the richest, most luxurious sauce, contributing to a wonderfully smooth and cohesive texture. While light cream cheese can be used as a substitute, we strongly advise against using fat-free varieties, as they tend to alter the texture and may not melt as smoothly, potentially leading to a less satisfying result.
• Cheeses : Our signature 3-cheese blend starts with cream cheese for its unmatched creaminess. For the other two cheeses, we opt for sharp cheddar cheese, which provides a bold, classic mac and cheese flavor, and either Monterey Jack or Gruyere. Monterey Jack offers a mild, buttery, and exceptionally melty quality, while Gruyere introduces a more complex, nutty, and savory depth. Shredding your own cheese from blocks is highly recommended over pre-shredded varieties, as fresh cheese melts much more smoothly without the anti-caking agents found in packaged options.
• Dry mustard: Don’t let this ingredient surprise you! While it might seem unusual, a small amount of dry mustard is a traditional secret ingredient in many classic cheese sauces. It doesn’t impart a strong mustard flavor to the dish; instead, it acts as a flavor enhancer, subtly amplifying the savory notes of the cheese and adding a touch of complexity. You can typically find it in the spice aisle of any grocery store. If you don’t have dry mustard on hand, a teaspoon of Dijon or stone-ground mustard can be used as a substitute, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
• Evaporated milk: This unsung hero is crucial for achieving the perfect rich, thick, and non-separated sauce in your slow cooker mac and cheese. It’s important not to confuse evaporated milk with sweetened condensed milk; evaporated milk is milk that has had about 60% of its water removed through evaporation, resulting in a highly concentrated, shelf-stable product with a robust milky flavor and velvety texture. It contributes significantly to the creamy mouthfeel and helps prevent the sauce from breaking down during the long cooking process. See our pro tip below for making your own evaporated milk from whole milk.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip: How to Make Evaporated Milk from Whole Milk

If you find yourself without evaporated milk or prefer to make your own, it’s surprisingly simple:

1. Begin by pouring 5 cups of whole or 2% dairy or non-dairy milk into a sturdy saucepan.
2. Bring the milk to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, ensuring it doesn’t boil vigorously. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium.
3. Continue to gently cook and reduce the milk, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until approximately 3 cups of liquid remain in the saucepan. This process concentrates the milk’s flavor and richness.
4. Allow the homemade evaporated milk to cool completely before incorporating it into your mac and cheese recipe.

• Infuse Some Spice. For those who appreciate a little warmth in their comfort food, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture can introduce a subtle, delightful heat that complements the richness of the cheese without overpowering it. If you crave a bolder, more intense spice, consider a dash of hot sauce or even a finely diced jalapeño. For enthusiasts of truly spicy pasta, exploring recipes like a hearty chili mac in an Instant Pot might be your next culinary adventure.
• Boost the Cheesiness Factor. Our recipe already boasts a generous three-cheese blend, but if you believe there’s no such thing as too much cheese, an easy enhancement is to stir in an extra 1/2 cup of your favorite shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a blend) during the last 30 minutes of cooking. For an irresistible finish, sprinkle an additional 1/2 cup of cheese over the top just before serving, allowing it to melt into a gooey, savory crust.
• Incorporate Wholesome Veggies. To add a nutritional boost and a pop of color to your mac and cheese, consider mixing in some finely chopped vegetables. Broccoli florets, frozen peas (added towards the end of cooking to retain their vibrant color and texture), or fresh spinach (which will wilt beautifully into the hot sauce) are excellent choices. Ensure vegetables are cut into small pieces to blend seamlessly with the pasta and cheese.
• Experiment with Diverse Cheese Types. While Gruyere and sharp cheddar offer a classic and delicious flavor profile, the versatility of this recipe allows for endless cheese explorations. Almost any cheese that melts well can be a fantastic substitute or addition. Popular options include Colby Jack for a milder, marbleized effect, Swiss for a nutty undertone, Provolone for a subtle sharp flavor, or classic American cheese for ultimate meltiness. For a nostalgic twist, you could even incorporate Velveeta for an exceptionally smooth, processed cheese sauce. Don’t forget a final sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan on top for an extra layer of salty, umami goodness before serving.

Once cooked, this recipe produces a delightfully creamy and rich sauce. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can easily adjust it by stirring in a little extra hot water or milk, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired thickness. Keep your slow cooker set to the “warm” setting until you’re ready to serve, ensuring every spoonful is perfectly hot and melty.

To keep your delicious mac and cheese fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When it’s time to reheat, you have a few convenient options: for quick reheating, use the microwave at 50% power, stirring occasionally until thoroughly warmed through. Alternatively, you can gently reheat it in the Crock Pot on the low setting for about 30 minutes, or warm it on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of milk if the sauce seems too thick.

Absolutely! This slow cooker mac and cheese freezes exceptionally well, making it a fantastic option for meal prep or having quick, convenient meals on hand. Simply portion the cooled mac and cheese into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm using one of the methods mentioned above. Be aware that the pasta may become slightly softer after being frozen and reheated, but the flavor will remain excellent.

Yes, enhancing the flavor with additional seasonings is highly encouraged! A sprinkle of onion powder can add a subtle savory depth, while a pinch of smoked paprika can introduce a smoky undertone and a beautiful color. For those who enjoy a little more zest, a dash of garlic powder or a tablespoon of melted butter stirred in at the end can elevate the taste significantly. Feel free to experiment with your favorite spices!

The beauty of mac and cheese lies in its adaptability, and you can certainly customize the cheese blend to your preference. While our recipe features a delicious trio, feel free to experiment with other varieties. American cheese offers an incredibly smooth, classic melted texture, while a good quality cheddar cheese sauce can add extra richness. You can also swap in other shredded cheeses like Havarti for a milder, creamier melt, or even a blend of Italian cheeses for a different flavor profile. The key is to choose cheeses that melt well to achieve that desired creamy consistency.

No, one of the greatest advantages of this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is that the pasta is cooked directly in the slow cooker with the other ingredients. This “no-boil” method saves time and effort, and allows the pasta to absorb all the delicious flavors of the cheese sauce as it cooks, resulting in a more integrated and flavorful dish. Just ensure you use hot water to start the cooking process effectively.

The consistency of your mac and cheese can be easily adjusted. If it’s too thick, simply stir in a few tablespoons of warm milk (evaporated, whole, or even half-and-half) until it reaches your desired creaminess. If it’s too thin, you can try removing the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some moisture to evaporate, or stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold milk to thicken it up, then cook for another 15-20 minutes on low.

Equipment

• crock pot (slow cooker)

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition