Description
This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want an easy, crowd-pleasing side. Made in a slow cooker, it requires minimal attention while producing perfectly cooked elbow macaroni enveloped in a rich blend of cheeses and creamy dairy.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy & Liquids
- 1 cup water
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup butter (cubed)
Dry
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
Cheese
- 16 oz shredded cheese (approx. 4 cups)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crock Pot: Spray the crockpot with olive oil spray or rub it with butter to prevent sticking.
- Mix Liquids and Seasonings: Add water, whole milk, heavy cream, sour cream, sea salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Whisk thoroughly to combine these ingredients into a smooth mixture.
- Add Pasta: Stir in the elbow macaroni ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the liquid mixture.
- Top with Butter: Distribute the cubed butter over the top of the mixture inside the crockpot.
- Cook Pasta: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 1 to 1.5 hours. Check at 1 hour to ensure pasta is al dente—not too soft or mushy—stirring occasionally if needed.
- Add Cheese: Once pasta is perfectly cooked, add the shredded cheese to the crockpot and stir to combine evenly with the macaroni and creamy sauce.
- Finish Cooking: Cover again and let the cheese melt by cooking for an additional 15-30 minutes on low until fully melted and creamy.
- Serve: Stir once more and serve warm for the best experience.
Notes
- This crock pot mac and cheese is incredibly creamy and cheesy with minimal hands-on effort.
- Slow cooker method makes it perfect for holiday sides or feeding a crowd.
- Do not overcook the pasta; check at 1 hour for perfect al dente texture.
- Use a blend of cheeses such as sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack for best flavor.
- Keep warm setting on crockpot works well if serving later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.75 cup
- Calories: 302 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 367 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
