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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Side Dishes » Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

by Sarah Olson on March 25, 2019 | Updated April 4, 2022 74 Comments

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This Easy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese has tender pasta, cream cheese and sharp cheddar, a recipe you’ll want to make every week!

large elbow macaroni with cheese in an oval slow cooker.

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.

Cooked macaroni noodles, cream cheese and cheddar cheese before cooked in a slow cooker.

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.

a  pot with food in it, with Slow cooker

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.

Mac and cheese cooked in a slow cooker with wooden spoon on the side.

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.
serving mac and cheese cooked in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.

How long to cook:

Add the lid and set the slow cooker to High. Cook for 2 hours. Stirring occasionally.

close up of cooked macaroni and cheese in a slow cooker with spoon in it.

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!

Mac and cheese cooked in a slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

4.8 from 74 votes
Ultra creamy mac and cheese made with cream cheese and sharp cheddar!
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 732kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • 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)
US Customary – Metric

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!
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How to Video:

Recipe 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 Information:

Calories: 732kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1062mg | Potassium: 355mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1585IU | Calcium: 818mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

Do you love this recipe? Try another of my slow cooker recipes that have pasta:

  • Slow Cooker Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Penne
  • Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti
  • Slow Cooker Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
  • Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Fettuccine 

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    Filed Under: Side Dishes

    Comments

    1. Kelly A Sylvester says

      January 1, 2021 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      Family loved this even more than my Mac and cheese made with a homemade cheese sauce from scratch! This was so much easier to make. Though I did leave it on a little too long and it dried out a bit easy fix added more milk and stirred up. Cream cheese makes this recipe so good. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. cindy says

      January 1, 2021 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      I used a box of rigatoni pasta…which equals about 3X the recipe cooked. i used 3 bricks of cream cheese, two 2c pkgs sharp white cheddar, two 2c pkgs sharp cheddar, 4c milk. I added chopped up ham about a half hour before cooking was finished. It is creamy, and so tasty. the noodles are NOT mushy, but perfect texture for mac and cheese…….mac and cheese, in my experience was never al dente. I also notice someone said it was grainy or something like that…i dont know how that could have happened, because this is creamy and smooth. I also did not find it to be buttery or oily one bit!!! I will make this again and again. It is an exceptional recipe!!

      Reply
      • cindy says

        January 1, 2021 at 1:42 pm

        5 stars
        i just wanted to add, i boiled the pasta for 7 minutes exactly. in case anyone wanted to know how long it boiled it for.

        Reply
        • Anonymous says

          March 22, 2021 at 8:06 am

          Thanks

    3. Shawna says

      December 7, 2020 at 9:36 am

      Looks good except that you add cooked pasta and then you cook for another 2 hrs. I like my pasta Al Dente and this seems like it would be over cooked

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 7, 2020 at 11:51 am

        Then slow cooker mac and cheese probably isn’t for you. I don’t think it’s over cooked but it is not al dente.

        Reply
    4. Beth Roberts says

      December 2, 2020 at 5:39 am

      1 star
      Nope. Not what I’m looking for. This was grainy… and VERY buttery/oily. I followed the directions exactly. I’m looking for creamy, yet sturdy noodles… without tasting like Velveeta. Don’t make this if you want creamy mac n cheese.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 2, 2020 at 8:34 am

        This is what mac and cheese tastes like without velveeta. I apologize for the confusion.

        Reply
      • Peggy says

        June 11, 2021 at 1:56 pm

        4 stars
        Many of the comments I read saying the cheese was grainy and or separated has to do with the fat content of the cheese and cheddar loves to separate so may I suggest adding your cheese to a mixing bowl and put about a tablespoon of flour in with the grated cheese and fluff it together and this should stop the separation of the fat and cheese when cooking and makes it creamy.

        Reply
    5. Tamara says

      November 24, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      Would this recipe also work cooked in the oven?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 24, 2020 at 3:44 pm

        I don’t see why not.

        Reply
    6. Michele says

      October 25, 2020 at 7:34 pm

      Do you cook for longer if you double the recipe?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 25, 2020 at 9:29 pm

        You may need to do an extra half hour.

        Reply
    7. Marilyn Spirito says

      September 29, 2020 at 2:24 pm

      C
      Family loved this so I think it was cream cheese. Didn’t t know about. Also first time in chock potT Thank you. Marilyn

      Reply
    8. Anonymous says

      July 28, 2020 at 1:34 pm

      Your recipes looks delicious
      Can’t wait to try that Mac and cheese in the crock pot
      Thanks

      Reply
    9. Norma Perkins says

      July 27, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      Good recipe Thanks

      Reply
    10. Dawn says

      June 29, 2020 at 8:16 pm

      5 stars
      My family ate it all up and keep asking to make it again

      Reply
    11. Leslie says

      June 8, 2020 at 10:08 am

      Can you halve this recipe? There is only my husband and me and we’re not good about leftovers or freezing things. Thanks! It sounds yummy!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 8, 2020 at 3:34 pm

        Hi Leslie, it’s not a very big recipe. I’m unsure how it would cook in half. I apologize.

        Reply
        • Ellie says

          June 8, 2020 at 5:48 pm

          I am in the same situation as Sarah and like the sound of this recipe. Would this work if I halved the recipe and cooked it in a smaller dish inside my slow cooker?

        • Ellie says

          June 8, 2020 at 5:50 pm

          The reason I ask is that I’ve never found a good way to reheat pasta dishes. Do you know a good way please?

        • Sarah Olson says

          June 9, 2020 at 1:01 pm

          Hi Ellie, I only reheat in the microwave, just don’t over cook.

    12. Steven Thayne says

      June 8, 2020 at 7:59 am

      You are fabulous. I make at least one of your recipes weekly and sometimes two. You are my go-to for easier meals. I have to limit my meals ingredients due to my budget but there is always something I can get by on.
      I’d bet you are having a ball. I know I am.

      Reply
    13. Phyllis Cousineau says

      June 8, 2020 at 7:47 am

      How many ounces of pasta is 2 cups Thanks

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 8, 2020 at 8:50 am

        about 8 ounces.

        Reply
        • Theresa Cooper says

          December 15, 2021 at 7:50 am

          There are 8 ounces in a cup, so two cups would equal 16 ounces

        • Sarah Olson says

          December 15, 2021 at 8:36 am

          Dried pasta is going measure different than cooked pasta.

    14. Kim says

      April 10, 2020 at 8:30 am

      What if I don’t have access to white cheddar cheese is there another cheese I can use? I’m thinking of making this for Easter as a side for my ham.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 10, 2020 at 2:22 pm

        Monterey jack or colby jack would work

        Reply
    15. Heather Benson says

      February 9, 2020 at 9:31 am

      5 stars
      FCCcan you use skim milk?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 9, 2020 at 3:33 pm

        Yes, that’s usually what I have on hand.

        Reply
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