The Best Ever Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese - Easy, No Fuss Recipe

If you’re craving mac and cheese that’s unapologetically cheesy and bursting with sharp, bold flavors, then this is the recipe for you. This crockpot mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and buttery — the ultimate comfort food that requires minimal effort. It’s a breeze to make; just dump all the ingredients into your slow cooker and forget about it. No boiling of noodles is necessary! Imagine tender noodles surrounded by actual cheese, not just a drippy sauce. Slow-cooked to perfection, the sauce here is so rich and thick, you will think you have died and gone straight to cheese heaven.

The Best Ever Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese - Easy, No Fuss RecipePhoto byThe Recipe Critic

Pro Tips for the Best Crockpot Mac and Cheese:

1. Use Fresh Shredded Cheese: -Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of the sauce. For the creamiest, smoothest mac and cheese, shred your cheese fresh from the block. You will not regret it!

2. Stir Occasionally: To prevent the pasta from sticking together and making your sauce as creamy as possible, stir frequently. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the crockpot.

3. Monitor the Cooking Time: As slow cookers can vary, monitor your mac and cheese after the 1hour and 30 min mark. You want the noodles to be tender, and the sauce to be thick but not dry.

4. Use your favorite cheeses: For a more complex flavor, mix in different types of cheese like Gruyère, Fontina, Parmesan, or smoked Gouda along with the cheddar.

5. Don’t Skip the Butter and Mayonnaise: The melted butter adds richness and helps keep the sauce silky and smooth, making every bite indulgently delicious. No, you will not taste the mayo! The mayo helps meld your cheeses together and keeps it from seperating and becoming grainy.

6. Buy Your American Cheese From Behind the Deli Counter: Dice it up into chunks. It will be well worth it! If you can't find it, you can substitute American cheese slices or Velvetta.

How to Avoid Mushy Pasta in Your Crock Pot

It's easy to overcook your pasta, and believe me, there is nothing worse than mushy overcooked gummy noodles, so keep these tips in mind!

1. Keep your crockpot on low. High temperature overcooks your noodles and causes the liquid to evaporate too quickly. Keep this in mind that you are using an older model crock pot that does not have the low and high setting options.
2. Check your pasta after the shortest recommended time (1 hour 30 min) and then every 15 -20 mins, that way your noodles stay firm.

This crockpot mac and cheese is the epitome of comfort food—perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any time you want a no-fuss, indulgent meal. This makes a large batch, so be sure to use a 6-quart slow cooker. If you want, you can reduce the recipe by half and use a smaller crockpot (4 quart one will work great and start checking your pasta at the one hour mark). These dump and cook all-in-one recipes are the absolute best!

The Best Ever Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese - Easy, No Fuss RecipePhoto byThe Recipe Critic

PREP: 20 MINS; COOK: 3 Hrs. TOTAL: 3 HRS 20 MINS.

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of melted butter
• 4 C. dry elbow macaroni
• 2 cans of evaporated milk (total of 24 ounces)
• 2 C. milk
• 1 C. cream
• 1 C. mayo (Yes, you need it!)
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 16 oz. American cheese (cut into small chunks)
• 2 C. X sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 C. Monterey Jack (or comparable cheese of your choice)

Directions:

• Place your stick of butter in the 6 qt. crock pot and coat the sides and bottom of your cooker.
• Pour in your elbows and stir to coat with the butter.
• Pour in your evaporated milk, whole milk, creamer, mayo, salt, pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine.
• Add in your chunks of American cheese, x-sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese. Stir everything together, turn your crock pot on low, and add your lid.
• After an hour, stir your mac and cheese, and do so quickly to keep your heat in. Check your noodles to see how tender they are. Keep checking every 20 minutes until you're done. Remember to leave the lid on your crock pot.
• When your mac and cheese is at the consistency you want, place your cooker on warm and stir occasionally.

Enjoy Friends ! ❤️