Mac n Cheese in a Crock Pot Recipe
How to Make Homemade Macaroni in the Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, cheesy, and totally homemade. We sneak in some cream cheese for that extra dreamy, velvety texture that makes it the best mac and cheese ever. Bonus: it’s super easy to throw together, dump-style, and let your crock pot do all the work! Check out our video tutorial below and see just how simple (and delicious) it is.
I probably shouldn’t admit this, but, we eat our fair share of Macaroni and Cheese. I have several recipes that I make:
- Stove Top Mac and Cheese – This is a smaller scale recipe and a perfect Side Dish recipe to go alongside our dinners.
- Homemade Macaroni and Cheese – For when I have guests coming over or when my son needs a little extra special meal!
When we first began removing food dyes from our diet I would search the ingredients on the side of the boxed mac n cheese in the grocery stores. Everything contained Yellow40. Now at the time, I didn’t realize it, but, TT isn’t necessarily sensitive to yellow, it’s more the blue and red dyes.
So I will admit now that the large food companies are beginning to remove these from their ingredients they may be welcome back into my house. Until then, I’m going to make homemade.
I love Macaroni and Cheese because it’s just one of those comfort foods that makes the soul feel good.
Ingredients for Crock-pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is all about simple, classic ingredients that come together to make something truly comforting. Elbow noodles are the perfect base — they hold onto all that cheesy goodness in every bite. Milk and evaporated milk make the sauce rich and creamy, while cream cheese adds an extra smooth, velvety texture. Of course, a good handful of cheese is a must for that melty, gooey magic we all love, and a pinch of salt and pepper is all it takes to bring the flavors together perfectly.
On Thanksgiving, my husband made the macaroni recipe and has made it several times since. It’s a great recipe to make to bring to a party or one that stays warm and allows guests to serve themselves on a buffet.
FAQs:
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep everything in the crock pot ahead of time, but it’s best to start cooking when you’re ready to serve. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated gently on the stove or in the microwave.
What kind of cheese should I use?
You can use any shredded cheese you like! Colby, mild cheddar, or a mix of cheeses all work great. For extra flavor, feel free to experiment with sharper or smoked cheeses.
Can I make it creamier?
Absolutely. If you want a super creamy mac and cheese, just add 1–2 more cups of milk while it cooks.
Do I need to cook the pasta first?
Nope! This is a true dump-and-go recipe — the noodles cook right in the crock pot with the cheese and milk.
Can I double the recipe for a party?
Definitely! Just make sure your crock pot is large enough to hold all the ingredients without overflowing.
Can I add extras like bacon or veggies?
Sure! Mix-ins like cooked bacon, sautéed onions, or even steamed broccoli are great additions to make it your own.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 Box Elbow Macaroni
- 1 8 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese cubed
- 1 12 oz. Evaporated Milk
- 1 12 oz. Shredded Cheese Colby, Mild Cheddar, etc.
- 1 C Milk
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Spray cooking spray to coat Crock Pot.
- Dump in macaroni, cream cheese evaporated milk, shredded cheese and milk to cover noodles.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- For a creamier consistency add one to two cups of milk.
