This Easy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese has tender pasta, cream cheese and sharp cheddar, a recipe you’ll want to make every week!
As I am writing up this recipe for you I am dreaming about making it again this week! This mac and cheese is ultra creamy and a family favorite.
I use two types of cheese in this and cream cheese to thicken the sauce, no need for a flour and butter roux to make this.
Should I boil the noodles?
Yes! The slow cooker does not get hot enough, fast enough to properly cook noodles. You will be left with a chalky mess if you do not boil the noodles.
How to make Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese:
You will need these ingredients:
- Dried elbow noodles (we will cook them in first step on the stove-top)
- Cream cheese
- Sharp cheddar
- White sharp cheddar
- Milk
- Salt and pepper
That’s it! May not be the healthiest meal but at least it has real ingredients.
Directions:
- Start by boiling the noodles as directed on the package. Do not cook a minute longer. Get other ingredients ready while pasta cooks.
- After draining pasta add it to the slow cooker while it’s still hot and add remaining ingredients. Stir.
How long to cook:
Add the lid and set the slow cooker to High. Cook for 2 hours. Stirring occasionally.
What to serve this with:
- Sliced garden tomatoes
- Slow Cooker Ribs
- Any type of grilled meat
- Garden salad with dressing
- Fresh fruit
- Steamed veggies
I think your family will enjoy this recipe as much as mine does. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Ultra creamy mac and cheese made with cream cheese and sharp cheddar!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 732kcal
Equipment
- Slow Cooker Size: 4 quart or larger
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried elbow noodles, large or small (see instructions on how to prepare)
- 8 oz. cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
For topping:
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions on the stove top and not any longer. Get other ingredients ready while pasta cooks
- Drain the pasta immediately after done cooking and add to the slow cooker add remaining ingredients and stir.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours. Stir the pasta twice during this cooking time, once at the hour mark and then and the 1.5 hour mark. Be gentle when you stir.
- When the cooking time is up add more cheese on top, add the lid and let melt for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Different types of cheese are fine to use in this recipe! Use what you like best. I prefer to use cheese that I grate by hand not pre-shredded for a very creamy sauce. Nutritional Values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet. Recipe values are for 1/6 of the recipe.
Nutrition
Calories: 732kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1062mg | Potassium: 355mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 31.7% | Calcium: 81.8% | Iron: 7.7%
Andrea says
March 26, 2019 at 7:14 amOn the video an ingredient was added before the S&P. It was not on the ingredient list or captioned in the video. I’m assuming it was flour.?
Sarah Olson says
March 26, 2019 at 7:39 amIt was the salt 🙂
Rose says
March 26, 2019 at 9:10 amYou state cooking time as 2 hours, yet say stir twice once at one hour and again at 1.5 hours.
Sarah Olson says
March 26, 2019 at 10:37 amYes, set the slow cooker for 2 hours. Open and stir at the 1 hour and 1.5 hour mark. 🙂
Addy says
April 15, 2019 at 1:10 pmStir at The hour mark and 1.5 hour (30 minutes later after the hour mark)
Kathy says
June 15, 2019 at 1:46 pmThis was really good! I added 1/3 cup finely diced onions, doubled the pepper, and 1/8 tsp of ground mustard. One of best Mac and cheese recipes I’ve ever made! Thank you!