Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is creamy and cheesy and just plain DELICIOUS. This comfort food comes together quickly and easily. It is a great dish for a holiday meal or for a busy week night. It’ll get devoured by adults and kids alike!
Original post: 2014. Updated: 2018.
The original recipe at the VERY BOTTOM OF THIS POST IN THE PHOTO (directly above the recipe card).
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You know those meals that can be made for nearly every holiday meal, no matter what time of the year it is? This Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is that recipe for me. I make this for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July and so many other occasions that fall in between.
Why? Because I can dump everything into my slow cooker while saving oven and stove-top space for other recipes. I give the mac and cheese a few stirs throughout and before I know it, it’s ready to eat!
This recipe gets devoured every single time without fail, no matter the season. It requires such little attention, it is an easy recipe and it always turns out perfectly. Don’t limit making this recipe on just holidays. This is a great kid meal option any night of the week and also the perfect party food for a larger gathering.
WHY MAKE MAC AND CHEESE IN A SLOW COOKER?
Ahh great question and I’m so glad you asked! Any time your oven is being used (think busy holidays!) or when you don’t have an oven to use (think potlucks!) is a great opportunity to make a creamy dish in your crockpot.
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT MAC AND CHEESE
Follow these super simple instructions to make the most delicious crock pot mac and cheese your lips will ever taste!
STEP 1
Throw only 5 ingredients (yep, five!) into your crock pot: elbow macaroni noodles (cooked the pasta 3 minutes shy of al dente, so approximately 5 minutes total), milk, Velveeta cheese, butter and Parmesan grated cheese.
STEP 2
Set the crock pot on Low heat and the cook time will be somewhere between 2-3 hours. Give it a stir a couple times throughout, if possible, and start checking on the pasta at the 2-hour mark. Depending on the crock pot, this dish will be done anywhere between 2 and 3 hours. My crock pot produces PERFECT results after 2.5 hours.
RECIPE NOTES
- This recipe started out as a much different recipe (scroll way down to the bottom, below the recipe card), so try the original version if you’d like which involves evaporated milk and cream cheese.
- If you choose to use uncooked pasta, please be sure to watch it carefully while it cooks. Nobody likes mushy noodles! When removing the lid to stir the noodles, do so quickly!
- Cheddar, Parmesan and Velveeta are my absolute favorite combination of cheeses to use for Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Feel free to replace them with equal amounts of American, mozzarella and/or sharp cheddar cheese. Monterey jack works great, too!
- This makes a large batch of mac and cheese! It will easily feed 8 hungry people as a main dish or 12 people as a side dish or party food. This is a great dish for pot lucks!
- Add cooked ham or bacon pieces to add flavor and when serving as a main dish.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper just before serving!
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder would be a great addition to the cheese sauce!
- Replace a portion of the milk with heavy cream for an even creamier end result.
CAN I MAKE MACARONI AND CHEESE IN MY INSTANT POT?
You can absolutely make mac and cheese in your Instant Pot! And it is the BEST! I’ve made the Instant Pot version a handful of times and I could rave about it forever. Head over to my Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe for the details!
WHAT GOES WITH MAC AND CHEESE?
Everything! My personal favorites are steamed veggies such as broccoli or cauliflower. Chopped, spinach or Ceasar salads, too. Or how about roasted tomatoes or sauteed mushrooms?! YUM!
CAN YOU FREEZE MAC AND CHEESE?
You can definitely freeze mac and cheese! Place in a freezer resealable bag or air-tight container and store in the freezer for 3 to 4 months. When defrosting it, let it thaw in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours before heating.
HOW TO REHEAT MAC AND CHEESE
To reheat mac and cheese, pour it into a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and stir. Place the saucepan on a stove top over medium-low heat and stir until consistency is smooth and noodles are warmed through.
If microwaving, heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring after each, until cheese has melted and the noodles are heated through.
MORE DELICIOUS MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPES
If you are on a roll with mac and cheese, you have to check out these variations, as well!
OTHER COMFORTING MEALS TO MAKE THIS WEEK
- Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole – this dinner boasts flavor and creaminess over a bed of steaming egg noodles. This casserole is just like your mom’s recipe but so much more! This is a perfect hearty weeknight meal to put on the table.
- Instant Pot White Turkey Chili – Packed with turkey meat, white beans and veggies, this comfort food is super flavorful and delicious.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – This is a delicious combination of the tastiest flavors you will ever eat in a single bite. Bacon, chicken, creamy alfredo sauce and pasta all make dinner a hit in less than 30 minutes!
- Best Baked Ziti – Packed with flavorful meat sauce and layers of cheesy goodness, you will enjoy each flavorful bite. This delicious dinner feeds a lot of people and is super filling and hearty. It is a great meal to freeze and bake at a later time, too!
EASY SIDE DISH RECIPES TO MAKE FOR YOUR NEXT PARTY
Here are some other easy sides to serve at your next gathering!
- Slow Cooker Hot Creamy Corn Dip – This Hot Corn Dip is ADDICTING! Bacon and green chiles gives this dish the kick is needs. Sprinkle some cilantro into the cheesy corn dish for a perfect party dish.
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are creamy, smooth, delicious and easy to prepare. No boiling or saucepan-/stovetop-cleaning required with this side dish. The Instant Pot gets this easy recipe done in 15 minutes!
- Tater Tot Hotdish – This classic hotdish is perfect when you’re craving comfort food. Whether it’s the main dish or a side, everyone at the table will be happy. This midwestern staple goes far, easy to make and fills everyone up. Each creamy bite will be enjoyed!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT CROCK POT MAC AND CHEESE
“Made this tonight for new years! This is definitely gonna be my go to mac and cheese recipe from now on! Soooooo good!!” ~Leah
“Hi, I made this Mac and cheese. My family loved it !! I cooked my noodles let them cool. Then I followed the old recipe with 4 cups of milk and cream cheese. I used American cheese instead of Velveeta. Next time I want to try pepper jack cheese. I put every thing in my crockpot and mixed it. I covered it and cooked for 30 minutes on high. Then turned down to low for 1 1/2 hours stirring in between. All times vary according to your crockpot. “ ~Connie
“I made the original recipe, doubled the recipe and put in one big crock pot. It was filled to the brim but it did fit. Everyone who ate it LOVED it. Now I get asked to make it for every upcoming occasion. Thanks for sharing this simple, quick and tasty recipe. “ ~Sally
“I made this for a potluck at work and everyone absolutely LOVED it. I never even got to have any because they ate it all. At the second potluck we had, everyone begged me to make it again. I’m not the biggest fan of velveeta so I did switch that out for mozzarella but it’s still a fantastic recipe and it is my go-to Mac n cheese recipe now. “ ~Katie
Here was my original recipe. Throw the following ingredients into your crockpot on Low. Start checking for doneness at 1.5 hours. (side note: boil the macaroni for a few minutes first for optimal results)
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 16 oz. elbow macaroni
- 3 cups milk
- 8 oz. velveeta cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup salted butter cut into chunks
- 3 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Cook pasta in boiling water 3 minutes short of being al dente.
- Place the cooked macaroni, milk, Velveeta, butter and cheddar cheese into a crockpot. Stir and top with Parmesan cheese. Set heat to Low and cook for 2 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally and check for doneness starting at the 2-hour mark.
I made this for Thanksgiving one year and now it’s become a staple- if I don’t make it, people get legitimately upset!
What a compliment! Thank you for sharing and I’m so glad it’s enjoyed and you found it worth making again. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Made this tonight for new years! This is definitely gonna be my go to mac and cheese recipe from now on! Soooooo good!!
YES!! Love it!
I am making this as a side dish for a Friendsgiving of about 17-20 people. Do you think one batch will be enough? & If i double it do I need to change anything?
That sounds like a full Friendsgiving table! What a great way to love on people. I would recommend making this recipe in two separate batches rather than doubling it in one big batch.
A bit disappointed. Made this for thanksgiving today and not sure what I did wrong but mine looks COMPLETELY different than the photo of the mac n cheese in the blue bowl. Mine has much more liquid and not nearly as dry or even the same yellow color 🙁
Oh, that is frustrating. I’m so sorry that it didn’t turn out. When you stirred it while it was cooking throughout the day, did the liquid seem to mix in and change throughout the day?
Could you cook on High for less time?
3rd year of making this for my large family Thanksgiving dinner! I prefer the cream cheese method but also slightly boil the macaroni first and also add butter.
Sounds delicious! I’m glad it was a hit. Thanks for sharing your tweaks with all of us!