Description
Easy Creamy Crock Pot Mac & Cheese is a set-it-and-forget-it comfort food masterpiece. Made with a blend of cheddar and Gruyère cheeses, milk, butter, and eggs, it delivers rich, creamy, restaurant-style mac and cheese with minimal effort.
Ingredients
1 pound (16 oz) elbow macaroni, uncooked
4 cups whole milk
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
2 cups shredded Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
1. Spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Add macaroni, whole milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to crock pot; stir to combine.
3. Stir in 3 cups shredded cheddar and all Gruyère cheese; reserve remaining 1 cup cheddar for topping.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 2.5 hours without opening lid.
5. Check pasta tenderness; cook an additional 15-30 minutes if needed.
6. Sprinkle reserved cheddar on top, cover, and cook another 15 minutes until melted and bubbly.
7. Serve immediately.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, or in oven at 350°F until warm.
Freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Avoid pre-shredded bagged cheese for smooth sauce; shred blocks yourself.
Do not open lid during initial 2 hours of cooking.
Optional mix-ins: cooked bacon, ham, sautéed onions, steamed broccoli.
Optional topping: mix final cheddar with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
Adjust cheeses for flavor variations: Gouda, Fontina, Pepper Jack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish, Comfort Food
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg