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.
Hi, I like the look of your original recipe. I want to make it a little healthier (no butter, skim milk, evaporated skim milk and 2% cheddar cheese). Normally, I add some canned pumpkin in my stove top recipe (for color and it adds some vegies – normally no one can taste it). If I want to use your original version, should I start with uncooked pasta? Have you ever tried adding pumpkin?
I need enough for 12 hungry people , any help
Hi Robert! This recipe makes a lot, but if you are worried about not having enough make 1.5 times what the recipe calls for. I hope this helps! Enjoy!!
Megan
Does crock pot size matter? I wanna make this recipe for 7 people but my crock pot is about 2 quarts.
Hi Jenna! A 2-quart crockpot probably isn’t quite large enough. I make the recipe for approximately 10 servings in a 6.5-quart crockpot and it fills about two-thirds of the way. I hope this helps!
Megan
I made the second version for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! I only cooked the noodles for 3 minutes and then put in the crockpot. This recipe received rave reviews and a lot of please make it again requests. Thank you!!!
I’m so glad it was a hit, Jennifer! I typically boil the pasta for around three minutes, too, and it always turns out perfect. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Megan
I also tried the original recipe for thanksgiving because I’m not a fan of velveta. I followed the Recipe other than that I put all the ingredients in the crock pot about an hour and a half before I actually started cooking and used organic noodles. I did not pre cook the noodles and they actually ended up kind of over cooked. The real problem though was just the flavor. It was super bland, and weird tasting even after adding salt and pepper. It also seemed like there weren’t enough noodles compared to how much cheese there was but maybe that’s because the of the organic noodles I used.
Hi! I tried the original recipe for Thanksgiving the other day. I put it on low, and when I hit the two hour mark it was still SO SOUPY, so I turned it up to high and it was fine 🙂 I am a mac and cheese connoisseur lol and I was excited to try this. It unfortunately was super bland. The most bland Mac and cheese I’ve ever had. It was definitely creamy and looked delish, but NO flavor. Everyone said they liked it but not sure if they were just being nice haha. I’m going to try the newer version and see if I like that one better.
With the new recipe do I also boil the noodles before putting it in . I don’t want them to be soggy . Thank you
I made the original recipe from the picture. It unfortunately turned out horrible 🙁 No Mac n cheese for thanksgiving now.
Ugh! I didn’t see the velveeta part! Can I still make this minus velveeta??
Me too!!! I only bought the ingredients listed in the picture ?
Ruby, I am from the south east.. Mac and cheese has to part of and meal at family get together and usually the most fav!
If I double the noodles do I need to double all other ingredients? That seems like it would be a lot of milk. I’ve never cooked pasta in the slow cooker, so I’m not sure how quickly it absorbs the milk.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yes, Jodi, double it all and make sure your crockpot can accommodate all of the ingredients! ENJOY!
Megan
After I get my Thanksgiving dinner ready to serve, I am going to put the mac and cheese on for company coming for left overs. Think it will fit in well.
I am from the Pacific Northwest and mac and cheese is not a usual part of Thanksgiving dinner. Is it in your part of the country?
OK so where does the evaporated milk come in??
Hi Carrie! Use the evaporated milk if you try my "original" recipe. The main recipe in the post has been revised and doesn’t use the evaporated milk. I hope this makes sense!
Megan
Hi there! Is this 16oz of uncooked macaroni? I know there’s a difference in cooked and uncooked when measuring. Thank you!
Hi Wendy! Yes, a 16-oz. package of uncooked pasta. Hope that helps!
Megan
Ok first of all…. I love the old version. I can’t drag myself to try the new one…. I love it too much ! So with that said…. this will be year 3 for us for Thanksgiving and Xmas
So good to hear from a fan of the old version! Enjoy!!
Megan
I make this every year and my family loves it.. It’s quick easy, good and cheesy
So glad to hear it, Beverly! We love it, too!
Megan
In the pic it showed like everyone else states, I did not see the Velveeta and Evap milk so i bought some and then went into site and seen the 2 diff recipes i wasMore confused. And then read the reviews and people had different preferences for both recipes which conflicted me more. I liked the idea of adding cream cheese so i just combined the recipes. And must add that its nice, thick, creamy and tasteful. Like it!
Hello Beverly
Was wondering which recipe did you use? The original or the newer version?
Thank you
Why would the older recipe be dry when it it calls for more milk than the new recipe?
How could the older recipe turn out dry, when it calls for MORE milk plus 12 oz evaporated milk? The cream cheese sounds better than Velveeta in my opinion
Hi Jessica! Since the original recipe does not require pre-cooking the noodles, it sucks up more liquid. I hope that makes sense! By the way, I suggest pre-cooking pasta even for just a few minutes first for both recipes to ensure it doesn’t come out dry.
Megan
Hello, Do you know what the cooking time is on this if it is doubled in a larger crock pot? Would it stay about the same? Thanks
hi, how many hours?? thank you.