Description
Comfort meets convenience in this creamy crockpot mac n cheese, where classic ingredients meld into a luscious, cheesy masterpiece. Slow-cooked to perfection, you’ll savor each comforting bite of this irresistible classic that promises warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese:
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, cubed
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 (12 ounces/340 grams) can evaporated milk
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking vessel by generously coating the interior with nonstick spray to ensure effortless serving and cleanup.
- Consolidate the uncooked pasta, liquefied butter, dairy components, and seasonings into the slow cooker, whisking thoroughly to create a uniform mixture.
- Incorporate the shredded and cubed cheese varieties, gently folding them throughout the liquid base to promote even distribution and melting potential.
- Secure the lid and initiate cooking on low temperature, allowing the ingredients to meld and transform over approximately one hour, intermittently stirring to prevent potential bottom-layer adherence.
- Assess the pasta’s tenderness and consistency after the initial cooking period, gently rotating the contents to guarantee uniform heat exposure and texture development.
- During the final stages of cooking, introduce additional cheese segments, enabling them to melt seamlessly into the creamy foundation.
- Once the pasta reaches optimal softness and the cheese has completely liquefied, remove the lid and allow the mac and cheese to rest momentarily, facilitating slight thickening before serving.
Notes
- Spray the crockpot thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup and stop pasta from clumping together.
- Choose high-quality, freshly shredded cheese for maximum melting and flavor, avoiding pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents.
- For creamier mac and cheese, add an extra splash of heavy cream or reduce cooking time slightly to maintain a silky consistency.
- Swap regular milk with lactose-free or plant-based alternatives, and use gluten-free pasta for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 624
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 738 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 101 mg