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
Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
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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.
Can I get the original recipe also? I’ve made it before and I don’t cook with velveeta
Absolutely incredible– been making this for over 4 years. My familys favorite recipe I make for thanksgiving. Question tho- could I use heavy cream or half and half instead of milk to make it more creamy? Or would you recommend sticking with Milk??
Thanks, Brandon. Yes on the heavy cream!
I use cans of evaporated milk
If I wanted to put this in the oven, what temperature and how much time to cook do you suggest?
Hey Donya! I have a similar recipe here: Baked Mac and Cheese. You’d bake it for 25 minutes. So glad you asked!
My kids love this recipe!!!
it was fine, flavor was good. I made the original recipe, cooked my noodles first, leaving 3 minutes still for cooking in crock pot as recipe stated. Mine was done by an hour and a half. a little too saucy for my liking. I won’t make it again.
Sorry girl but the way you decided to about this was confusing as heck and I’m a seasoned cook. It is very confusing to see a picture on Pinterest only to come to your page and not see the description, instruction or picture of the one that is on Pinterest. I have read and re-read this post about a dozen times and nowhere is the picture that you have on Pinterest and nowhere is the description of THAT recipe with the cream cheese and NO velvetta! The only reason why I chose your recipe off of Pinterest is because you didn’t put that nasty stuff in your recipe but clearly you do. I most likely will not be returning to your site as it’s veen super frustrating and annoying to navigate
The original recipe was different and those images cannot be taken down from Pinterest – we can’t control that. We had a photo at the bottom of the post highlighted with the change in ingredients but some still found that confusing. It was a popular post! Sorry for the confusion.
Hi Megan
I made this Mac and Cheese today. It was a real hit with my wife and a neighbor lady too. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I liked it too. I love cooking things that others truly enjoy.
Don Hunter
New Port Richey Florida
Thank you Don! It’s great to share your culinary talent with others. I’m sure it was appreciated!
I thought the recipe was great and I don’t consider Velvetta to be nasty. But, April Larson … did you read your comment before you posted it? I had to read it several times to determine what you were trying to say! Good grief! Talk about confusing and annoying!
I can’t find the other recipe. looked every inch of the website, no luck.
Both on the same page – one crockpot photo shows one set of ingredients. The variation is at the bottom in another crockpot photo with the 2nd set of ingredients. Both delicious, you can’t go wrong.
I have used both recipes. (Both are great) I make the one pictured every holiday, and it is always a hit!
So glad to hear they are both enjoyed. People have preferences but they really are both good, solid recipes. Thank you for sharing, Angela!
I have been making the new version for a couple of years now. It is a holiday staple that every loves!! So easy and delicious!!
So glad it’s being enjoyed! Thank you for sharing!
Made this for a Harvest Carnival @ church, for the kiddos…..IT WAS GONE IN MINUTES! So many parents raved about it. So easy on a busy day/night
That’s so cool! Thanks for sharing that.
I made the updated version and it was fantastic! Reminds me of the kind you get from the frozen section of the store, which I love. It fed 5 adults as a main dish with a side salad, and there was nothing left! If I were expecting to feed 8 as a main dish, I would add a significant amount of meat after it was done cooking.
So glad you enjoyed it, Janelle! Thank you for sharing the details. too.
can I make a 1/2 recipe?
Hi Ida! Yes absolutely you can make 1/2 the recipe. You would just make sure to cut all of the ingredients in half and adjust cooking time accordingly.
Can you maybe put some chicken in this?
Leftover shredded chicken would be great. I’ve done kielbasa too. There’s endless ways to dress up mac and cheese!
Pay no attention to these arrogant ignorant people. They just can’t read! One is the original folks and the other one is the newer crock pot version!! Thanks girl for the update!!
not happy bc i bought the things to make it like the picture to only find out the recipe is totally different.
Not at all, Stephanie. Two recipes included in the post, also descriptions of both in the post. Both are good!
This is so stupid you show a picture of one thing and write about changes. You should of just showed the changed then not made it confusing by posting a picture of a while different recipe. We don’t wanna read all that anyways just give us what we need
I understand your point of view but my audience is wide and we have a lot of new cooks, established seasoned cooks and everything in between so I enjoy sharing to each of them.
Thank you for professional reply ti the negative feedback. I have used both your recipes and love them! Thank you for sharing them with us.
is it velveeta or shredded cheddar? pic shows cheddar…..recipe is different.
Please read the post. There’s 2 versions of this mac and cheese recipe. The original I share at the bottom and the new and updated one I shared starts at the top and is included in the recipe card.
The recipe calls for Velveeta, but not cream cheese. I’m confused
Super easy and delicious!
So glad you thought so, Jen!
Can I freeze it?
I find that it can be frozen but when you warm it up, it’s preferred to do it on the stovetop with some milk added to it. The cheese can clump otherwise.
I made this recipe. I used Velveeta for mine. I had friends over for dinner and we all loved this slow cooker Mac & Cheese. Very happy with the way it turned out & tasted
Thank you for sharing, Renee! Nice to have a dish everyone can enjoy.