This crock pot mac and cheese with Velveeta is one of those recipes I’ve made so many times I could probably make it in my sleep. It never fails me. My oldest son asks for it constantly and could probably eat the entire batch himself. It’s ultra creamy, ridiculously easy and always disappears fast whether I’m making it for a holiday gathering, potluck or easy dinner at home. With just 6 simple ingredients and minimal prep, this is the kind of comfort food recipe people come back to again and again.
Original post: 2014 | Updated: October 2023 and May 2026
Why This Recipe Works
There are plenty of reasons I come back to this crock pot mac and cheese with Velveeta again and again, but here are the biggest ones:
- Ultra creamy and cheesy every single time
- Made with just 6 simple ingredients
- Requires almost no prep or hands-on time
- Frees up valuable oven and stovetop space during busy holidays
- Always gets rave reviews from both kids and adults
- Perfect for potlucks, parties, holidays or easy weeknight dinners
Velveeta is the secret to the smoothest, creamiest texture every single time.
This is one of those dependable comfort food recipes that works for nearly every occasion. Whether I’m making it for Thanksgiving, a summer gathering or a random Tuesday night dinner, it always disappears fast.
If you love cozy comfort food recipes, you’ll also want to try my chili recipe.
Recipe Ingredients for Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
Elbow macaroni
Watch the noodles carefully as they cook to avoid mushy pasta. When stirring, replace the lid quickly to keep as much heat inside as possible.
Milk
Whole milk creates the creamiest texture, but 2%, 1%, oat milk or almond milk all work well. For an even richer result, replace part of the milk with heavy cream.
Evaporated milk can also be used for extra creaminess.
Velveeta
Velveeta is the secret to the ultra smooth, creamy texture in this recipe.
Butter
Salted butter adds great flavor, but unsalted butter works just as well.
Sharp cheddar cheese
Sharp cheddar adds the best flavor, but you can easily swap in mozzarella, pepper jack, colby jack, Monterey Jack or another creamy cheese. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly, but pre-shredded works great for convenience.
Parmesan cheese
A sprinkle of parmesan on top adds extra flavor and texture.
How To Make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese with Velveeta
- Add ingredients to the slow cooker
Add cooked elbow macaroni, milk, Velveeta, butter, shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese to a 7-quart crock pot.
- Cook on low
Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, until creamy and fully melted. - Stir occasionally
Stir the macaroni and cheese a couple of times throughout cooking for the creamiest texture. Start checking for doneness around the 2-hour mark, since slow cookers can vary.
Avoid overcooking, since the pasta will continue softening as it sits.
Recipe Notes
- Coat the slow cooker with nonstick spray or use a liner for easier cleanup.
- This recipe makes a large batch and is perfect for potlucks, holidays or feeding a crowd.
- This mac and cheese thickens as it sits, so serve it warm for the creamiest texture.
- Add a splash of milk if the macaroni and cheese becomes too thick while cooking.
- Stirring occasionally helps create the creamiest texture.
- Add sour cream for an even richer, creamier result.
- Ham or bacon make great additions if serving as a main dish.
- Garlic powder or onion powder add extra flavor to the cheese sauce.
- Pre-shredded cheddar works great for convenience, but freshly shredded melts more smoothly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Substitute For Milk in Mac and Cheese
Whether you are looking for a different flavor in your next creamy macaroni 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.
Crockpot Mac and Cheese FAQ
Yes. Heavy cream, evaporated milk, oat milk or almond milk can all work well depending on the flavor and texture you prefer.
Stir occasionally while cooking and add a splash of milk if the macaroni and cheese becomes too thick.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of milk to help restore creaminess.
Mac and cheese pairs perfectly with barbecue, ham, chicken, vegetables, salad or dinner rolls.
Use leftovers for fried mac and cheese bites, casseroles or loaded bowls topped with bacon or pulled pork.
More Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love
If you love easy, cozy comfort food recipes like this crock pot mac and cheese with Velveeta, here are a few more favorites to try:
What People Are Saying About This Recipe
“This is definitely going to be my go-to mac and cheese recipe from now on. Soooooo good!”
— Leah“Everyone who ate it LOVED it. Now I get asked to make it for every upcoming occasion.”
— Sally“I made this for a potluck at work and everyone absolutely loved it. It’s my go-to mac and cheese recipe now.”
— Katie
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Crock Pot Mac and Cheese 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.
Video
Notes
-
- Stir occasionally while cooking for the creamiest texture.
- Add a splash of milk if the macaroni and cheese thickens too much.
- Velveeta creates the smoothest, creamiest texture in this recipe.
- This recipe makes a large batch and is perfect for potlucks or holidays.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Megan Porta is a comfort food recipe creator who specializes in easy family meals and Instant Pot desserts, and the founder of Pip and Ebby. She has been cooking for three decades and developing recipes for over fifteen years, helping home cooks make reliable, cozy recipes for real life.
If u have to boil the pasta anyway how is the crock pot making it any easier, really don’t understand.
The crockpot just adds a little extra somethin’. 🙂 I like making this when I’ve got other thinks cooking, so it does its thing in the background.
M
Hmm..
So which recipe do I use???
Go with the Velverta recipe. It’s my fave!!
Megan
I meant it didn’t say to drain the macaroni so I didn’t and I added all the ingredients and I’m hoping it’ll still come out good and it won’t look soupy.
It say to drain to the macaroni so I didn’t and I’m hoping it’ll still come out good.
I would love to take my 5 year old and 6 year old to Disney land for the first time. Wish I could afford it
Would love to go to Spain…..!!!! My niece will be getting married there in April! Would love to see the country but love my niece & want to see her get married!!!! I’m trying your Mac & cheese tomorrow for my family. I’m doing the cross …. cream cheese with Velveeta & triple cheddar! Hopefully it turns out… Thank you for the recipes!!!!
Would there be room in a 7qt crockpot to double the original recipe?
Hi Alexis! I’d think there would be room. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out!
Megan
In the newer, better recipe, are you adding the pasta uncooked? Or do u still need to boil it 1st? Thanks!
Boil first for a few minutes! Hope this helps!
M
Will this work w potatoes instead? Cheesy potatoes?
I would like to go back to italy, I went in college to rome naples and the coast, the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
But after graduating college I got diagnosed with a cancer called osteosarcoma in my spine. My life will never be the same again, I’ve become disales and unless I had a motorized chair would be the only way I’d get around over there. It was such an amazing memory that maybe I never can go back bc it will never be as good as that time in college. I love mac n cheese and my daughter does too so we will Def try this recipe, thanks!
Lizzie! You are such a brave woman for enduring all of that! I am so glad you were able to see Italy and have it in your memory. God bless you!!
Megan
I would love to travel to Egypt. In my minds eye I cannot fathom the greatness of the oceans of sand and the enormous pyramids. Just to be able to touch these magnificent structures. Cant you just feel the warmth emanating off the pyramid? The bright sun reflecting off the sand?? And then you get spit on by a camel! Oh well, I still think it would be worth it.
Definitely going to try this.
Who couldn’t just love this easy receipt. I d love to go to Hawaii. My husband had a chance to go there when he was if the Navy but I didn’t want to go then, I was young and didn’t want to move that far away from my family so he traded orders with his friend? Now I kick myself every time I think about the fact that I could have lived there! Please help me live a dream life that I passed up on once in my life already. Come April we will be married 42 years and I couldn’t think of a better wedding gift! I’ll even bring my crock pot to make this delicious mac and cheese!!!
Would love to go to pettyjean mountain. Also do i have a recipe for baked mac and cheese. My aunt use to make one yrs ago she passed now i can fine a good baked mac and chesse
I would go to Israel the birth place of Jesus n my forefathers not sure why but have just always thought it would be a great place to visit but home is also a great place to be
This mac and cheese looks amazing. If I could go any where it would be Ireland it is because of my family history.
This is my first try using my new crock pot. If I could go anywhere in the world it would be back home in Arizona to see my folks.
Hi Megan, I haven’t tried this mac n cheese yet but I wanted you to know that I have been breaking in my new running shoes. I have the Tulsa Run in 2 weeks and I will be wearing those new tennies. Again, thanks so much, you are awesome and so are your recipes.
Barbie Barnard
Hi Barbie! I’m sooo happy to hear that you’ve been enjoying your shoes! Yay! Thanks so much for reading and let me know how the run goes.
Megan
Loved this except wasn’t around to stir and I think it was a little firmer and dryer than it should be but the taste was great! I would love to travel to Greece again.
Wow! I’m sorry to see all these negative comments! (Your witty responses are surely funny, though.) I’ve made the cream cheese version previously and loved it.