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Crock Pot Mac & Cheese is so good, creamy, delicious, and easy to make. Grab your slow cooker, and let’s get started!
This Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese was a big hit with everyone young and old at Thanksgiving.
I don’t think a single person at Thanksgiving passed by the mac & cheese without taking some.
We appreciate your support
Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Easy to make
Ok, this Crock Pot Mac & Cheese isn’t the healthiest meal I’ve ever made, but it turned out really good. The cheese sauce was easy to make (just follow my tips below), it didn’t break or clump, and it was super delicious!
And, I had lots of requests for the recipe, which I found on Pinterest from Repeat Crafter Me.
Recipes like this will make your family super happy, and if you’re looking for more vegetarian dinner ideas, be sure to check out my Veggie turnovers and Pappardelle Pasta with Veggie Ribbons.
I know, I know, it has canned soup in it.
But I think the canned soup helps it keep its creamy texture and not separate. And, well, it’s been years since I’ve eaten canned soup, so once every 5 years or so won’t kill me.
All things in moderation, including moderation, right?
Make this ahead
I love that it was in a crock pot or slow cooker.
You can make everything the day before Thanksgiving. Place the cheese sauce in the ceramic bowl of the crock pot, and place the cooked pasta in a separate container.
Refrigerate them separately, like this, overnight.
Once we got to Thanksgiving dinner we simply stirred the pasta into the cheese sauce in the crock pot, and turned the crock pot on low for three hours, giving it about 4 stirs.
I made mine in my {affiliate link} 4-Quart Slow Cooker and it fit perfectly! It would probably work in a larger crock pot, but I wouldn’t go too much larger.
Some tips on making the cheese sauce…
- Gradually add the cheese, and do it on low heat. Gradually! If you add it all at once, it will clump. I know, I’m usually the lazy cook who throws it all in at once. In this case, don’t do it! Low and slow, that is the tempo (bonus points if you can name the band that this is from!) for making good cheese sauce.
- Let the cheese come to room temperature before adding it to the melted butter, also, use a fine shred rather than a large coarse one, both of these will help the cheese melt faster.
That’s about it!
A tasty mac & cheese that can be made ahead of time and cooks in the crock pot so there’s no last-minute work. Perfect for any holiday or potluck!
Leftovers
Oh, and we had leftovers, which were delicious! Dan stirred some Italian seasoning into some of his leftovers, and that was a fun twist on the traditional mac & cheese.
Since Thanksgiving we’ve made the cheese sauce again. It was delicious on chili cheese fries!
It would be awesome with a little salsa stirred in and poured over nachos!
And, it keeps really well in the fridge. Now, go, cook and eat!
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Crock Pot Mac & Cheese Recipe
Crock Pot Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 cups large elbow macaroni uncooked
- 8 tablespoons butter cut into 1-inch cubes
- 5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cans condensed cheddar cheese soup (10 & 3/4 ounce each)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- Boil the macaroni in water for five minutes. Drain.
- In a medium saucepan on low heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is almost all melted, slowly and gradually add the shredded cheese, stirring as you add. Continue to stir until the cheese melts.
- In ceramic bowl of a 4-quart crock pot, combine melted cheese mixture, soup, sour cream, milk salt, and pepper. Stir in the macaroni.
- Place the lid on the crock pot, and cook on low for 2 ½ -3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Elizabeth
Oh gosh this looks fantastic! I want this on my plate right now with a big old bowl of oven chips (french fries!). Carb heaven!!
Janette Fuschi
Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of mac & cheese? This looks so good, I’m salivating. The best ones are never healthy, and I’m OK with that.
Teri Giese
If anyone would be crazy enough to think mac and cheese and “healthy”could be spoken in the same recipe?! No apologies necessary girlfriend! Aa YUUMM!? Have been on a big time search for the perfect mac and cheese.Have 48(kid you not), now 49 mac and cheese recipes. Since food blog stalking began last March. This will be the next to try. Made mac and cheese for Thanksgiving also. Actually the day before Thanksgiving, want something good,but not a huge meal thing.? Thanks him, happy holidays!!
KC the Kitchen Chopper
I’m pretty sure The Hubby would marry me all over again, if I made this for him! 🙂
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books
This sounds delicious! Printed to try soon!
recipesfromapantry
Been meaning to look for more things to do in my slow cooker – so very excited to come across this recipe.
Divya Prakash
I just loved the point that this can be made ahead and cooks in crock pot and there will be no last minute work. Looks so yummy!
savoryexperiments
That is one beautiful bowl of liquid gold! Seriously, Debi, well done and beautiful!!!
Michelle De La Cerda
I have one recipe that requires canned soup and no matter how many times I try to make the recipe without it, it just isn’t right. So no judgement here on your once every 5 years. This looks absolutely perfect. Oh and nice usage of Beastie Boys in your post.
Myfamilymealtime (@FMealtime)
I could easily eat a giant bowl of this macaroni right now!
Manila Spoon
Wow! What a bowlful of cheesy-liciousness! Pinning so I can try this for my family! Thanks for sharing!
taranoland
I have to try this again, mine that I made was mushy and yours looks so good!!
fearlessdining
This looks so creamy and delicious…perfect for dinner.
mealplanmaven
Crockpot Mac ‘n Cheese! The perfect comfort food dish and yours looks outrageously delish!
Homemade Food Junkie
A dream come true! This comforting warm dish belongs in my crock pot for sure!!
justine @ Full Belly SIsters
that is some serious comfort food right there, YUM.
Culinary Flavors
Perfect family meal and so easy to make in the crock pot! Definitely a choice for weekdays!
Celia at Chicago Jogger
Yum, this looks perfect for a chilly day! Love that it’s made in a crockpot too.
Kate Veggie Desserts (@veggie_desserts)
What a lovely super-creamy mac and cheese. Slow cookers are so versatile!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Sometimes you just need a really comforting and indulgent meal like this. I love that you have done it in the crock pot too.