This crock pot mac and cheese with Velveeta is cheesy and delicious, with such a creamy texture. This comfort food comes together quickly and easily, requiring only 6 ingredients and minimal effort. It is a great recipe for a holiday meal or for a busy week night. It’ll get devoured by adults and kids alike!
Original post: 2014 | Updated: October 2023
Why This Recipe Works
There are about a million reasons why I adore this crock pot macaroni and cheese recipe made with Velveeta, but I’ll limit my list to just a few:
- 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 macaroni and cheese is it! I make it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July and so many other occasions that fall in between.
- Dump only 6 ingredients into your slow cooker while saving oven and stove-top space for other recipes.
- This slow cooker mac and cheese recipe gets rave reviews without fail, no matter the season or time of year.
- Crockpot Velveeta mac requires very little attention while it cooks.
- It produces the creamiest macaroni and cheese every single time.
- This classic recipe is a great family dinner any night of the week as well as the perfect party food for a larger gathering.
- Any time your oven is being used (busy holidays) or when you don’t have an oven to use (potlucks) is a great opportunity to make this fantastic recipe.
Helping you remove stress from your Thanksgiving menu planning!
Check out my FAVORITE easy, tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes here on the blog in one handy gallery.
Say goodbye to endless internet browsing and hello to easy, delicious recipes!
Recipe Ingredients
Elbow macaroni – If you opt to use uncooked elbow noodles, 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 in order to trap as much heat inside as possible.
Milk – Any variety of milk can be used, including whole milk, 2%, 1%, oat milk or almond milk. Replace a portion of the milk with heavy cream for an even creamier end result.
Evaporated milk can be used in place of regular milk when twice the amount is added.
Velveeta – Velveeta is the start of the show in this mac n cheese recipe. Learn more about its shelf life and how long Velveeta lasts after being opened!
Butter – I love the salty flavor that salted butter adds to the recipe, but unsalted is a great option, as well.
Sharp cheddar cheese – Shredded sharp cheddar is my favorite variety to add to the mix, but feel free to replace with an equal amount of any of the following:
American cheese, pepper jack, mozzarella, colby jack, cream cheese (this will produce a sweeter homemade macaroni and cheese!), provolone, monterey jack or any type of creamy cheese.
Parmesan cheese – Grated parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top adds fantastic flavor and texture! Consider using shredded parmesan instead if you have it on hand.
How To Make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese with Velveeta
Step 1
Add the following ingredients to your 7 quart crock pot to make this Velveeta crockpot mac and cheese:
- Elbow macaroni noodles that have been pre-cooked in a large pot 3 minutes shy of al dente (approximately 5 minutes total)
- Milk
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cut into chunks
- Butter, cut in pieces
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Parmesan grated cheese
Step 2
Set the crock pot to low heat and set the cook time to 3 hours. Allow all of those yummy ingredients to cook and melt together!
Give the mixture a stir a couple times throughout with a wooden spoon, and start checking for doneness starting at the 2-hour mark for best results.
Depending on the crockpot, the dish will be done somewhere between 2-3 hours.
My crock pot produces perfect results after 2.5 hours of cooking time and with two good stirs in the middle.
Recipe Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- 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. It is a great dish for pot lucks!
- Consider adding 1/2 cup sour cream to add even more creaminess to the dish.
- Add cooked ham or bacon bits to add flavor and protein when serving as a main dish.
- Sprinkle the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper just before serving!
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder would be a great addition to the cheese sauce.
- If you add uncooked pasta to the slow cooker without pre-cooking, give the mixture a good stir every 30 minutes or so and keep a close eye out for doneness!
- Pre-shredded cheddar cheese is easy! For added freshness, consider shredding your own.
Substitute For Milk in Mac and Cheese
Whether you are looking for a different flavor in your next creamy pasta dish or you just don’t have milk on hand, learn replacements for milk in macaroni and cheese!
What To Serve With Mac and Cheese
Mac cheese is the perfect comfort food! But what goes with it?! This roundup provides 16 delicious ideas about what to serve alongside mac and cheese to create a complete, satisfying meal!
What To Do With Mac and Cheese Leftovers
Delivering you a massive list of 41 ideas for leftover cheesy mac! Whether you have an abundance of leftovers or just want new things to do with this classic comfort food, we’ve got your back.
How Long Does Mac and Cheese Last
If you have leftovers and you are wondering whether to toss or eat, read this article for information about how long mac and cheese lasts.
How To Reheat Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese leftovers are inevitable since most recipes make huge batches. Learn how to reheat mac n cheese, while retaining moisture and flavor!
Mac and Cheese Recipes for Thanksgiving – 13 Delicious Ideas!
Mac and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple! Read on for some scrumptious mac and cheese recipes for Thanksgiving that you can make this year! You’ll find a ton of options to choose from in this roundup.
Best Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
- Baked mac and cheese bites are a super fun finger food idea to serve to kids and adults.
- Instant Pot mac and cheese is a dream come true! Done in 20 minutes, this side or main dish cooks to absolute perfection every single time!
- Baked mac and cheese is a great holiday side or weekday main dish. Everyone will devour it!
- Add pumpkin to your next batch of mac n cheese so it’s even more delicious and more creamy. This pumpkin mac and cheese recipe is 100% kid-friendly and done in 30 minutes.
- This chili mac recipe is the perfect marriage of two of the most comforting comfort foods of all time. Delicious way to use up leftover chili!
Comfort Food Recipes
- This easy crab soup recipe requires only 5 ingredients and it is done in less than 30 minutes!
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a delicious combination of the tastiest flavors you will ever eat in a single bite.
- This is the best meatloaf recipe with crackers you’ll ever eat and it is such an easy classic dish. It’ll quickly become a favorite family meal!
- Runza Casserole is inspired by a world-famous sandwich made with ground beef and cabbage. This is a filling, delicious and affordable way to feed an entire family!
What People Are Saying About This Recipe
“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
Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe With Velveeta
Equipment
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.16 oz elbow macaroni
- Place the cooked macaroni, milk, Velveeta, butter and cheddar cheese into a crockpot. Stir and top with Parmesan cheese.3 cups milk, 8 oz velveeta, 1/4 cup salted butter, 3 cups cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup 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.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- 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. It is a great dish for pot lucks!
- Consider adding 1/2 cup sour cream to add even more creaminess to the dish.
- Add cooked ham or bacon bits to add flavor and protein when serving as a main dish.
- Sprinkle the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper just before serving!
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder would be a great addition to the cheese sauce.
- If you add uncooked pasta to the slow cooker without pre-cooking, give the mixture a good stir every 30 minutes or so and keep a close eye out for doneness!
- Pre-shredded cheese is easy! For added freshness, consider shredding your own.
alfreda rivers
I love to get in the car with my grandkids and take them to places that my mom and dad took me as a kid. We go back to this resturant in a small town called Wahington.Pa. called Shorty's this place has never changed since i was a kid and it looks like it is still in the 1040's but they got the best hot dogs. I have taken even my great grand daughter i only have one great to take there.I think it is good to go back to show kids how we lived and played because kids are so wrapped up in these games today we need to show them the fun that can be had without a tv all the time. So going backwards is good to do then find out something new to do together so they can add it to their list.
Tom Klenke
germany- spent 12 years of my 20 in the military over there. Just got to travel a little. But the food was something to polka for. Whenever there was a volks March I would go there and sample the local bier and food. I developed quite a taste for German food and women, so much I married one. We've been married 35 years and she can cook up a storm. We have some German meals but getting the right ingredients is costly sometimes. I recommend the Nuremberg area around Fashing. Lots of fun!
Carrie S
I take care of my elderly mother and do most of the cooking. I love trying out new recipes and using a crock pot cause its so easy. I will definitely be trying this one out. I'm even thinking about adding sliced hot dogs or ham to the finished product. Will make a great meal for us on days we don't want to cook over a hot stove. My bucket list is full of places I would like to visit. Australia, New Zealand and Greece just to name a few.
wendy
I would like to go to Ireland, but I've been married 25 yrs ever since I was 15 years old. so with that being said I would ask my mom where she would like to go instead. she has been a widow for the past 28 years and was and still is a great mom and before she gets to old to enjoy a trip I would love to take her somewhere of her choice so we can finally have a mom and daughter trip. I love my husband of 25 years dearly but getting married at a young age you end up missing more years of the one on one with your parent(s). RIP Dad.
Ryan
My only question is why. I'm sure it's good, but if you already have to boil the macaroni
You can make a homemade cheese sauce in 5-10 minutes, mix together, done 20 minutes tops.
Jezyka
I would like to just travel the world endlessly. I want culture, but mostly I want to hear more music than I'd ever hear being stuck in just one place.
jane Marquez
Hello…looking forward to trying your recipe my mouth is watering just thinking of it…he he
And if i could travel anywhere i want to go to Spain.
Donna
I'm from Louisiana. Right now we are in the Azores, visiting mother-in-law. We come here every year for 3 months. Well anyway, love the different recipes. I use them here because people here do not cook like that. So when I cook, they love it. Thank you for this good recipe. Everyone loves Mac-n-cheese.
Nancy
I would love to go to Hawaii! My mom always wanted to go.y mom and Dad got married in 1942 and days latter my Dad who was in the Navy was sent to Hawaii. My mom always joked he went on their honeymoon without her. I would tell her I was going to take her one day but she died before I could. I will go for her one day.
LynnM
Well since both my parents are deceased and I've been struggling with that I would love to go visit St. Thomas. I love to see if the water is as beautiful as they say it is in magazines. I haven't had a true vacation in over 10 years.
Ofelia Ortega
Do you drain pasta before putting it in crock pot? Do you rinse it?
Tina
I would travel to every place I could. See every major vacation spots. Take my kids and grandkids on the trip.
Rose
I would travel to the Meditereanean countries as I am a history buff and the temperatures there fit my pale skin and hatred of intense Texas heat. I would love to travel without fear for my life as I would in certain other countries of interest plus I love the food from this region of the world.
Megan Porta
Jeanie: I LOVED your reply! I hope you will be able to explore the US with your daughter and grandson! Best to you..
Megan
Megan Porta
Thanks so much for the comments! A few of you asked about Velveeta vs. cream cheese. There are two recipes here. Read through the post and there are two routes you can go! One with Velveeta and one with cream cheese. Wishing you all the best mac & cheese endeavors! Let me know how yours turn out!
Megan
Jeanie Campbell
My deceased husband and I were going to buy a camper and just take off and explore the United States. So many states we'd never been and so many things we wanted to see. The Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls, down to Key West to see the beautiful sunsets. We wanted to eat beignets in New Orleans, and see the starry night sky in Montana. Hollywood, Las Vegas, the Amish communities, and the Space Needle in Seattle. And everything in between! Maybe someday my daughter and grandson can take off with me and we'll have a wonderful time!
Lauren Freece
If i could go anywhere it'd be Lithuania, my parents were born there and apparently i resemble a true Lithuanian woman and wi
Ould love to see where i cone from and my heritage
Patti Bennett
It says cream cheese but you said velveta which one does it take
Shirley
Great, except that you can't put milk in a crockpot that long.
Donnie Welch
If I could visit anywhere n this earth I would have to pick Jerusalem. As for why? I want to walk where Jesus has walked. It is by his grace that my mother taught me to love cooking.