The easiest, most delicious Southern side dish recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese! This simple combination of milk, cheese, butter, pasta and eggs pairs beautifully with just about any meal -- from a summer barbecue picnic to a Thanksgiving feast. Enjoy this comfort food all year long!
Few dishes rival macaroni and cheese when it comes to popular sides. Whether you like it with elbow pasta or rotini, cheddar or Velveeta, this versatile and easy recipe is a crowd-pleasing option for any occasion!
Where did this simple Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe come from?
I had never really considered using my slow cooker for macaroni and cheese until my friend Jackie introduced me to this version. She originally found the recipe in one of those local self-published cookbooks that the high school students put together as a fundraiser.
I made Jackie's recipe from that little cookbook a couple of times, and ultimately decided that I needed to share it here. When I went to compare it to other slow cooker mac and cheese recipes online, I realized that it's almost identical to Trisha Yearwood's Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. As a result, I give full credit to Trisha Yearwood, and I assume that the high school cookbook simply adapted her original. Either way, I can assure you that this Southern treat is absolutely delicious!
How to make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese:
You only need a handful of basic ingredients for this easy mac and cheese recipe:
- Elbow macaroni
- Milk
- Evaporated milk
- Cheddar cheese
- Eggs
- Butter
- Salt, pepper and seasoned salt
First, boil the pasta just until it's al dente (or still slightly firm). I usually cook it about 1 minute less than the instructions on the box, since the macaroni will continue to cook in the Crock Pot later. Drain the pasta.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the rest of the ingredients. I like to hand-grate a block of cheddar because I find that the block of cheese melts smoother than the pre-shredded bags of cheese that you can buy at the store.
Then it's just a matter of stirring together all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, but remember to reserve ½ cup of cheese to sprinkle on top. So easy, right?!
The Crock Pot Mac and Cheese cooks on LOW for 3 hours and 15 minutes.
This macaroni and cheese sets up really well and can be sliced into squares or spooned into bowls. Garnish with paprika and fresh parsley, if desired!
What to serve with Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese:
This easy side dish pairs perfectly with a variety of meals. Try serving it alongside:
- Grilled Steak
- Root Beer Barbecue Chicken {Crock Pot or Instant Pot}
- Slow Cooker Beef Barbecue
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Crispy Southern Fried Catfish
- or include it in your Thanksgiving feast alongside all of your favorite sides and this Garlic & Herb Roast Turkey
Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:
- Can you cook Crock Pot Mac and Cheese on HIGH? Yes, you can cook this mac and cheese on the "HIGH" setting for about 90 minutes, but remember: all Crock Pots cook at slightly different temperatures. If you have a slow cooker that runs hotter than average, it may be done sooner. Similarly, a Crock Pot that cooks at a lower temperature may take a bit longer. Just keep your eye on it and be sure that you don't overcook the pasta.
- Can I make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese the night before? To prep the mac and cheese in advance, I recommend boiling the pasta the night before (and rinse it under cold water after draining to remove some of the starch and prevent sticking). Keep the cooked macaroni in the refrigerator overnight, along with the grated cheese and other ingredients. When ready to start cooking the next day, add all of your prepared ingredients to the slow cooker insert as instructed below!
- How to reheat Crock Pot Mac and Cheese: you can reheat the macaroni and cheese in the slow cooker on the "WARM" setting.
- This recipe calls for cheddar cheese, but you can also use any combination of cheeses that you prefer. My boys love mild cheddar, but adding some sharp cheddar, pepper jack, gouda, white cheddar, gouda, fontina, gruyere or even Velveeta would also be delicious.
- Try substituting rotini pasta for the elbow macaroni.
More easy macaroni and cheese recipes that you might enjoy:
- Dump-and-Bake Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Dump-and-Bake Overnight Macaroni and Cheese
- Stovetop Chuckwagon Mac
- 3-Ingredient Tuna Casserole
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry elbow macaroni pasta
- 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 ½ cups milk (I used 2%)
- ¼ cup (½ stick) butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt (such as Lawry’s brand)
- Dash of pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 16 ounces (about 4 cups) grated cheddar cheese (mild or sharp is fine), divided
- Optional garnish: paprika; chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water just until al dente (or even slightly undercooked), about 1 minute less than called for on the box. Drain.
- Spray the liner of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all of the ingredients, except ½ cup of the grated cheese, to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours and 15 minutes – do not stir while it’s cooking.
- Garnish with paprika and parsley just before serving.
Notes
- Can you cook Crock Pot Mac and Cheese on HIGH? Yes, you can cook this mac and cheese on the "HIGH" setting for about 90 minutes, but remember: all Crock Pots cook at slightly different temperatures. If you have a slow cooker that runs hotter than average, it may be done sooner. Similarly, a Crock Pot that cooks at a lower temperature may take a bit longer. Just keep your eye on it and be sure that you don't overcook the pasta.
- Can I make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese the night before? To prep the mac and cheese in advance, I recommend boiling the pasta the night before (and rinse it under cold water after draining to remove some of the starch and prevent sticking). Keep the cooked macaroni in the refrigerator overnight, along with the grated cheese and other ingredients. When ready to start cooking the next day, add all of your prepared ingredients to the slow cooker insert as instructed below!
- How to reheat Crock Pot Mac and Cheese: you can reheat the macaroni and cheese in the slow cooker on the "WARM" setting.
- This recipe calls for cheddar cheese, but you can also use any combination of cheeses that you prefer. My boys love mild cheddar, but adding some sharp cheddar, pepper jack, gouda, white cheddar, gouda, fontina, gruyere or even Velveeta would also be delicious.
- Try substituting rotini pasta for the elbow macaroni.
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