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.
Hello,
I would like to try this recipe. Can you please tell me what size the slow cooker needs to be? Also, when I click on "print recipe" it says that it needs to be cooked for 3-4 hours, which one is it? 2-3 hours or 3-4 hours?
Thank you!
P.S. I forgot to mention the FOOD in ST. MAARTEN is spectacular! By far some of the most interesting, fresh, & vibrant creations! Not simply your average Carribean Jerk! Everywhere we ate was so delicious, and each had awesome atmosphere, often some type of live music, from reggae to steel drums! The people are very warm & friendly, you'll feel like an old friend! FYI, I was a strict Vegetarian most of my life, I eat very little meat now (I'm picky!) And had only begun eating meat at all maybe a year before visiting…I was rather shy about certain things. For example, I NEVER had eaten ribs in my life, and didn't plan on it. However, at one of SEVERAL restaurants at the then – Pelican Resort Club–now "SIMPSON BAY RESORT" had amazing ribs! I took a bite on a dare, & ended up eating them 3 times while there! Pancakes with Mango preserves, Coconut French Toast, LOTS of fresh fruits, incredible seafood (they are known for very large shrimp, my husband adored those!) Also, this Resort, though under new management, looks even better than a few years ago, still with 5 pools, swim – up bar (all appropriate for children, we don't drink at all and we had a wonderful time!) It's easy to explore this tiny island and see the duty-free ports with an abundance of historic buildings, wonderful shopping, live music in the streets, snorkeling in the clearest and calmest waters I've seen ANY WHERE! ( For reference, I've lived 95% of my life in Alabama; but travel often! I'm most familiar with all of the Gulf Coast Beaches – which are truly a wonder of nature – but as much as I love beaches, on every coast in USA and Hawaii, I'm not known to really spend much time IN oceans!) St. Maarten was unique – I almost didn't get OUT of the crystal waters, calm as a lake, even when sailing out deep to snorkel, you could easily see the ocean floor! If you get a chance, I have to say please visit! As for location, I posted a link earlier about its geography, SUPER small etc, we did rent a car after a couple of days, to explore the French side & all the shopping/"street districts" in Phillipsburg, capital city of the Dutch side; however, staying at that resort is IDEALLY located to not only numerous small, private beaches – unrivaled by other resorts – but our 1st night there, we left the resort on foot, it's adjacent to the main road, a very reasonable walk to MANY of the best restaurants the island is known for! We got along very well without a car at first, but did get one to explore the French Side & other places….oh, and you hardly notice you're even in "another country" as the border isn't a big deal, very relaxed! We devoted most of our time on the Dutch side, however, but read about its culture, as it's anything BUT traditional Dutch: Carribean & European influences, along with indigenous people from various neighboring places, make it TRULY one of a kind! We felt very safe, too…even going out at night on foot, off the resort property, unlike many other typical Carribean vacation spots! I stress again to really make a destination vacation there, vs a cruise. Flights are limited, depending on airline & time of year (one airport with ONE airstrip!) But a friend has taken a cruise that stopped there for barely half a day, though she loved it – and the ships dock at an ideal location, I cannot imagine spending such a short time there – for a small place, it's loaded with culture, food, entertainment, MORE food, and a welcoming atmosphere that you won't want to leave! Do consider it, not to dismiss your other choices, but if ever you have the chance to go somewhere extremely unique in every way-St. Maarten is IT! Also, among activities is horseback riding; we took a it a 3-hr trail through many mountains during "butterfly season" which is amazing – ending with riding the horses on a beach, even into the ocean! They galloped along the sand and plunged into the ocean, so much fun! And I fulfilled a childhood dream, even better than expected! (Plus, it was just us & 1 guide, very quaint & enjoyable…encountering many "flocks" of butterflies along the trail was magical!) But if you like unique food, this place is unmatched by us so far! We can't wait to go back! Take a look at a few pictures of the exact resort we stayed at, and please follow that link in my earlier post to learn more what makes this place so special, and not your typical island in the Carribean…it's so much more! P.S. we heard other resorts were nice, but the newly renovated/renamed "SIMPSON BAY" is very ideally placed, and is said to have some of the best beaches-literally, you'll easily find a private slice of heaven on one of the many beaches on that property…there's the main one, but so many tiny ones where you'll find wild coconuts growing, rocks to walk out onto & sit or lay under the stars, and if you are adventurous, it doesn't take much exploring to find yourself alone on a little "nook" of a beach, an amazing feeling…better than the smaller beaches even in North Shore area of Hawaii! Though not the miles & miles of endless sand, like the Gulf Coast Beaches we live so close to & I've been visiting my entire life, but you'll easily find your own private beach, where for a moment, you'll feel as if you have your own island! Best wishes! -ANNA
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http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147350-d152148-Reviews-Simpson_Bay_Resort_Marina-Simpson_Bay_Sint_Maarten_St_Maarten_St_Martin.html
Just about anything cooked in a crock pot will get my attention. Lol I have MS so a lot of stirring isn't my best choice. Although the dogs will gather around me when I cook knowing that something will be "tossed" to the floor. "Whoops. Who's on kitchen floor duty!?!"
I would go, and take my Mom, to Ireland. My great grandmother was the first of the family to be born in the US from Ireland. To be able to find out where they had come from would be fun to find. How cool would it be to find them!?! 🙂
Christa,
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We can't wait to try this! As for travel, hand's down beautiful itsy-bitsy place called ST. MAARTEN/St. Martin. We loved it MORE than Hawaii! Especially the Dutch side! Fly there, not cruise! 😉 [email protected]
Dec 9, 2014
"With an area of only 37 square miles, the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is the smallest land mass in the world to be divided between two governments. Its dual owners are the Dutch and the French, who have shared the tiny and paradisical island more or less peacefully for almost 350 years. This understated absence of conflict testifies to one of the island's most precious and attractive characteristics–its unusual serenity…"
http://www.geographia.com/st-maarten/
I would go to Chicago. I am about to have a new niece and I won't be able to meet her until she is almost a year old. I would go sooner if I could. My brother also has another daughter who is 2 and I have only seen here twice.
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I would love to see an ocean. I am 65yrs old and probably will never see the ocean. Money is tight right now. Just to be able to look out over the vast body of water and see the different shades od blue and the huge waves slapping would be so awesome. I have dreamtbof it several times from movies and tv shows. Ahhhhh dreams.
Hi Lisa: Updated recipe is 4 cups!! Hope that helps!
Kate: Your comment made my day! So glad you and your hubby enjoyed this mac&cheese. You nurses deserve happy bellies! 🙂
Megan
I am a nurse on a busy Medical Intensive Care Unit. One day I was placed "on call" meaning we had an open bed ready for an inevitable admission. I was "on call" until 4pm. At 3:00 I knew it was only a matter of minutes before I'd be called into work to care for either an admission from the Emergency Department, or a rapid response from another floor. I threw this together in the crock pot quicky, and viola! I get the call to come in to work. My husband was due to be home by about 5:30pm (he is also a nurse and is in management) and when he walked in he said the house smelled amazing and he knew right away I threw something great together into the crock-pot. Sometimes we wait to have dinner together but since I don't get home until around 8pm I encourage him to eat a nice dinner when he gets home. He had two heaping helpings!!! Loved it so much!! It was still great when I get home, and not overcooked (I did leave instruction to keep it to "warm" after about 6pm). Thanks for a tasty, homey, and comforting dish for two nurses who need the extra comfort after a long day of taking care of every patient and family member we can. MUCH appreciated!!!! <3 Kate
I have always wanted to travel to Prince Edward Island…via train, there is something romantic about traveling by train.
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I have seen the same recipe with link to your blog on Facebook. It calls for 2.5 cups of milk, however in the blog it calls for 4. Which is correct?
This looks great going to try this very soon.
By the way I would love to go to Europe! or a Mediterranean Cruise.
So, who won and where did they go? I have been to several places around the world but would love to go to New Zeland and Fiji. [email protected]. Will be trying this artery clogging recipe for dinner tomorrow. Thanks for sharing and your pics look great, how did it taste? Did you add salt and pepper?
India and Thailand are on my list. I am extremely into food and those countries produce some of my favorite foods – it would be awesome to eat in the country the food comes from!
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I'd like to go back to Paris…have been a couple of times with my husband, but want to take my boys and walk them all over the city. Climb to the top of Notre Dame to see the gargoyles close up, take a picnic to the park near the Eiffel Tower, explore museums, and open their eyes to how other cultures eat!
Now I need a fresh baguette and some Brie!
I just see this even though it is an older post I still would like to put my 2 cent's in. My favorite place is Nashville Tenn. we have been a few times and love it my mother-in-law is from Tenn., but would also love to go to is Scotland. Being a red head and knowing somewhere over there I have family makes me want to go.
My husband and I would love to go to Germany and Ireland.
Can't wait to try this recipe. With two small kids (ages 3 and 1) I am always looking for new crockpot meals.
My husband would love to go to Germany and Ireland.
Can't wait to try this recipe. With two small kids (ages 3 and 1) I am always looking for new crockpot meals.
I would love to go to England to see Stonehenge! Or to Scotland, since that is where some of our ancestors are from.
To those wanting to go to Ireland…. GO!!! It is beautiful, and the people are WONDERFUL. A very good friend bought us a trip for our 10th wedding anniversary, and it was fabulous!
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I want to travel to the east coast. So much history there.
Making this right now!!! I've been looking for dinner ideas all morning!!! Thank you! And to answer your question, I would love to go to Greece. It looks stunning, and is a great launchpad to Europe. Would love a newsletter or recipes to my inbox: [email protected]