Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 09/20/20
Crockpot baked mac and cheese

The Spruce

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 3 hrs
Total: 3 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
511 Calories
37g Fat
19g Carbs
25g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 511
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g 48%
Saturated Fat 21g 104%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 601mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Protein 25g
Calcium 748mg 58%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This is a tasty slow cooker macaroni and cheese recipe, made with just a few ingredients in the slow cooker or crockpot.

When the macaroni and cheese is done, feel free to spoon into a baking dish, top with a little more cheese, and put under the broiler for a minute or two for that "homemade from the oven" look.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons butter (for greasing the slow cooker)
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups/8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (or a cheddar blend, shredded)
  • 4 tablespoons butter (melted)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for crock pot mac and cheese
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  2. Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following package directions.

    Boil macaroni
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  3. Drain in a colander and rinse with hot water. Drain well.

    Drain macaroni
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  4. Generously butter the sides and bottom of a 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker.

    Generously butter sides of crockpot
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  5. Combine the macaroni with the remaining ingredients in the slow cooker and blend well.

    Cheese on macaroni
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  6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Gently stir the mixture each hour.

    Cover the slowcooker
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  7. Serve and enjoy!

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Tips

  • If desired, spoon the cooked macaroni and cheese mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle with a little more cheese, and put under the broiler for a minute or 2, just until cheese is melted. Or cover it with buttered bread crumbs and broil to brown.

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