This Crockpot Mac and Cheese recipe 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.
Original recipe at the VERY BOTTOM OF THIS POST IN THE PHOTO, directly above the recipe card.
Why This Recipe Works
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.
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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.
Recipe Ingredients
Elbow macaroni – If you opt 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!
Cheeses – 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!
Milk – Replace a portion of the milk with heavy cream for an even creamier end result.
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How To Make The Best 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!
- 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.
What To Serve With Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a comfort food favorite! 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!
How Long Does This Recipe 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 and cheese, while retaining moisture and flavor!
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!
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.
More Delicious Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese – Healthify Mac and Cheese by adding cauliflower! Kids won’t suspect a thing and you’ll secretly be adding nutrition to a favorite comfort food.
- Looking for a new way to enjoy comforting mac and cheese? Make these baked mac and cheese bites for a fun and perfect finger food 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 absolutely perfectly every single time!
- Baked mac and cheese cooks perfectly every time with the perfect amount of creamy cheese. Great as a holiday side or weekday main dish. Kids and adults alike will devour it!
- Add pumpkin to your next batch of mac and cheese so it’s 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!
FAQ About 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 and serving.
To reheat mac and cheese, transfer it to 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.
Just about anything can be served alongside mac and cheese. Here are a few great options: steamed veggies such as broccoli or cauliflower, chopped salad, spinach or a Ceasar salad. Or how about roasted tomatoes or sauteed mushrooms?!
Mac and cheese can be made ahead of time. Make the recipe in its entirety the day before, then reheat until hot and serve.
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!
Easy Side Dish Recipes
- Slow Cooker Hot Creamy 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.
- These baked apple slices with cinnamon are the perfect sweet, gluten-free any-time dessert OR side dish.
- Baked stuffed sweet potatoes take dinner to the next level! Load up a perfectly baked potato with your favorite ingredients for a hearty side dish.
- Oven Roasted Butternut Squash is super easy to make. Delicious side dish for any meal. This delicious fall staple is versatile!
- Tater Tot 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.
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
Original Recipe
Throw the ingredients from the photo below 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)
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Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe
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.
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!
- 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.
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
Pepperjack is a great cheese to use. I like your changeups – thank you for sharing!
How much cream cheese did you use? I’m planning on making this for Thanksgiving, that seems like it would make even creamier!
Originally I used an 8oz block of cream cheese. I hope you love it!
I meant to say that people might want to check theirs more than I did.
Sorry for the bad grammar in my first post!
🙂
Made this tonight, yum! But 2 hours was too long in my crockpot and the macaroni basically dissolved. Just posting to let others know that they made to check theirs a bit more often than I did! Will definitely be making again though! Thanks so much for the recipe! 🙂
Thanks for the feedback. It’s appreciated! I could see that – everyone’s crockpots heat differently and mushy noodles aren’t the best. I’m glad you liked it overall though!
Question??? Has anyone tried using 4oz velveeta and 4oz of cream cheese together? With the new version or the old version? I love both velveeta and cream cheese so I’d thought of adding both.
That doesn’t sound like it would be bad at all! I say try it and check back in to tell us your review!
I made the original recipe, doubled it 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.
You are so welcome Sally! I’m really glad it was enjoyed and I appreciate you coming back to let me know!
What size Crockpot did you use for the double batch? Was it a 10quart? Making this as part of a potluck for a funeral and trying to make sure I have enough and enough room too lol. Thinking of doing a triple batch total. Double in 10qt pot and single in like a 6qt pot. Will this work?
I didn’t make a double batch, the recipe just makes a really large batch and I have a 6 qt crockpot. You can feed about 12 people easily if its a side dish with the recipe as written. Hope that clarifies!
I’m wanting to make this recipe for our HS FOOTBALL team. Can you make this is a roaster? I don’t want to have to haul 8 crockpots. Thanks
You can prepare this and slow cook it in the oven in your roaster. I would check online for conversion rates of a slow cooker temperature equal to using the oven. That sounds like a lot of mouths to feed! Enjoy!
Love this! I have even used gluten free pasta as some of the family can’t have gluten and it’s still great, I do add some salt and pepper and a few shakes of hot sauce.
That’s a great idea, changing out the pasta. I like the twists you added to it as well.
What size crockpot are you using? I am needing to double the recipe and trying to decide if I should split to 2 crockpot.
Yes, I would make the second batch in its own pot or crockpot. Enjoy!
I am making the original recipe right now. I felt it was missing something so I added a pouch of Velveeta sauce mix that I had. It helped, along with some salt and pepper. I plan to try the new recipe next time but I am not disappointed in the original recipe at all.
Good improvising!
As a connoisseur of good mac and cheese, I have this cooking right now in the crock pot and I’ll probably pitch it and make the new recipe. This one has a grainy feel to the cheese and is definitely not cheesy enough – I think the cream cheese tones it down too much. Also, I’d suggest anyone trying this to grease the sides of your crock pot. Now, I’m going to make the Velveeta recipe, but will not do crock pot cooking. Even the macaroni does not have the right feel to it. I think its easier to cook the pasta, mix and melt all other ingredients, mix together and stick it in the oven for a few. Why make a super easy recipe difficult???
Would it work if i didnt cook the pasta first!?
You’d need to adjust the ingredients to have more liquids then. I haven’t tried that. Let me know if you do and how it turns out!
Very yummy! Didn’t try the first recipe but this one was a big hit! I made it for my son’s birthday and everyone was asking me for the recipe! Huge bonus that it’s so easy too! Thank you for this!
Hey, if you win over the kids and the adults, it’s a keeper! Thank you for letting me know.
Can you substitute cream cheese with sour cream?
Hi Lyndsay! I have never tried sour cream in place of the cream cheese, but I’m intrigued! I think I’d start by adding 4(ish) ounces of sour cream along with 4 ounces of cream cheese. If you give it a try, please let me know how it turns out!
Megan
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.
Yay, Katie! I love this! Food that quickly vanishes at potlucks is the BEST kind of food. Thanks for the comment!
Megan
I love this mac and cheese, Sometimes I add Gouda cheese as well. I am going to try it with some Jalepeno’s to spice it up. But it is a hit in my house.
Hi Candi! I LOVE gouda and I love jalapenos, as well. I might have to incorporate these two loves into this mac and cheese next time. Thanks for the inspiration!
Megan
Hi there! Do you prefer evaporated milk over regular in this recipe? Is there much of a difference? Thanks!
Hi Alicia! Evaporated milk will produce a sweeter pasta, so if that is something you prefer then you’ll love it. If you prefer a less sugary version, go for regular milk. I hope this helps!
Megan
I made the original years ago and was scrumptious!! I am actually sad you felt to revise. This can be made so many ways. The only thing I remember is that i didn’t have to cook as long as recommended. Everyone at it all and Wanted recipe! Good job!
Oh good, Bridget! I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks so much for the comment.
Megan
Hi, I want to try your recipe this year and wonder about putting it in the oven after crockpot cooking, with a panko topping. Just letting the panko get a little crispy and browned. Less crockpot time? and how long in the oven?
Thanks
Hi Andrea! I’d keep a very close eye on the mac and cheese in the crockpot and when you think it’s CLOSE to being done, throw it into a baking dish and top with panko. Pop in the oven (350-ish) for 15-20 minutes. YUM! Let me know how it turns out!
Megan
Hi! i just wanted to let you know that I featured this recipe on my post about Thanksgiving Recipes (mixandmake.com/2017/11/17/easy-thanksgiving-recipes/).
My grandmother used to make mac n cheese just like this and I always try to make it like this! Thanks so much for posting this recipe!
So cool! Thank you, Erin!
Megan
I made the original recipe twice and my family loved it. I saved the recipe to my Pinterest so that I could always have it. Luckily, I noticed the difference in recipes. I’m going to try the updated recipe today and hopefully it’s a hit just like the original.
Hello Mac lover! I’m so glad you love the original recipe so much! Let me know what you think of the updated version once you make it. It is super delicious, too!
Megan