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Creamy Slow Cooker Mac

Featured in Comforting Soups & Hearty Stews.

Need a no-hassle meal everyone loves? This creamy slow cooker mac and cheese mixes sharp cheddar and creamy American cheese for ultimate flavor. Just add the ingredients, give it a stir once in a while, and let it slowly cook into a melty, comforting dish. Great for holidays, potlucks, or family dinners—it doesn’t get easier than this!

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Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:36:12 GMT
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Creamy Slow Cooker Mac | linacooks.com

Get ready to dive into the most soothing comfort meal with our Velvety Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese! It's super smooth, packed with cheese, and makes the perfect addition to family dinners, community events, or special celebrations. Thanks to your trusty crock pot, you'll whip up a tasty, no-hassle dish that'll win everyone over.

What You'll Need

  • Elbow Macaroni: 1 lb, giving you that traditional mac and cheese feel.
  • Sharp Cheddar: 8 oz, shredded, bringing a deep, punchy taste.
  • American Deli Cheese: 4 oz, diced into 1-inch squares, helps create that smooth melt we all want.
  • Butter: 4 tablespoons, cut into chunks, adds that wonderful richness.
  • Half and Half: 3 cups, makes sure your sauce coats every bit of pasta perfectly.
  • Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon, offers a slight zip that makes the cheese pop.
  • Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon, gives a gentle onion hint without being too strong.
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon, brings all the flavors together.
  • Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon, adds just a touch of spice.
  • Paprika: ½ teaspoon, brings a touch of smokiness and nice color.

How To Make It

Step 1: Mix Everything Together
Dump your macaroni, both cheeses, butter chunks, half and half, Dijon, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika into your slow cooker. Give it all a good mix until combined.
Step 2: Start Cooking
Turn your slow cooker to LOW and let it go for up to 2 hours. Don't forget to stir every half hour so everything cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the pot.
Step 3: Test Your Pasta
Around the 1 ½ hour mark, poke your pasta to see if it's soft enough. You might need more time until the pasta gets nice and tender when you stick a fork in it.
Step 4: Fix The Sauce If Needed
If you find your mac and cheese too thick, just splash in some milk and stir until you get it how you like it.
Step 5: Enjoy Right Away Or Keep It Hot
You can eat it immediately or switch your slow cooker to WARM until you're ready to dig in.

How To Serve And Store

  • Dish up your mac and cheese while it's still warm, maybe with extra cheese on top or some parsley if you want to get fancy.
  • It goes great with tons of main dishes like chicken hot off the grill, saucy BBQ ribs, or a plate of roasted veggies for a full meal.
  • Got leftovers? Pop them in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days. When you want more, warm it up on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of milk to keep it creamy.

Advice From Top Chefs

  • Gordon Ramsay likes to mix different cheeses for better flavor; throw in some Gruyère or Fontina to take it up a notch.
  • Jamie Oliver says you should taste your pasta as it cooks to catch that perfect softness without turning it to mush.

Try These Twists

  • Use smoked cheddar instead for a different flavor profile.
  • Mix in some crispy bacon bits or chopped ham to make it more filling.
  • Sprinkle in some chopped green onions for a pop of color and freshness.

Creamy Comfort Food

Make rich, creamy mac and cheese effortlessly with your slow cooker. Toss in the ingredients, give a quick stir, and let it cook to perfection!

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
120 Minutes
Total Time
125 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 cups)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 lb of elbow macaroni gives you the perfect base with its signature texture.
02 8 oz of sharp cheddar cheese, grated, delivers that bold, cheesy punch.
03 4 oz of cubed deli American cheese melts into the sauce, making it smooth and creamy.
04 4 tablespoons of butter (cut up) add a silky richness to the mix.
05 3 cups of half-and-half make for a velvety consistency.
06 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard gives a slight tang to enhance the cheesy taste.
07 1 teaspoon of onion powder keeps the flavor balanced without being overpowering.
08 1 teaspoon of salt amplifies every flavor in the dish.
09 ½ teaspoon of black pepper gives it just a little kick of warmth.
10 ½ teaspoon of paprika adds an inviting smoky hint and bright color.

Instructions

Step 01

Add everything into the slow cooker. Stir every 30 minutes while cooking on LOW for up to 2 hours.

Step 02

After 1 ½ hours, see if it's ready. If the macaroni is tender when poked with a fork, it's good to go, or cook a little longer.

Step 03

Want the sauce looser? Stir in a bit of milk, a few tablespoons at a time, until it's the way you like it.

Step 04

Enjoy it right away, or leave the slow cooker on WARM if you're not ready to eat yet. Pop leftovers into the fridge in a sealed container, and they'll keep well for 3 days.

Notes

  1. You'll love how easy and hands-off this creamy slow-cooked mac and cheese is! Great for feeding a crowd.
  2. For an even creamier dish, splash in a bit more milk or half-and-half while it's cooking.
  3. Works perfectly as the star of the meal or as a side dish for holidays or potlucks.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 50 g
  • Protein: 15 g