Description
Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, blending rich cheeses and smooth textures for a family-friendly feast. Hearty pasta swimming in a luxurious cheese sauce promises to satisfy hungry crowds with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese Ingredients:
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Velveeta cheese, cubed
Pasta and Milk Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni
- 1 can (12 ounces / 340 grams) evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until tender, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set pasta aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk together evaporated milk, regular milk, sour cream, and melted butter until smooth and well integrated.
- Incorporate shredded cheddar and cubed Velveeta into the liquid mixture, blending until cheese begins to melt slightly.
- Season the cheese blend with salt, ground black pepper, and optional paprika, stirring to distribute spices evenly.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is completely coated.
- Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into the crock pot, spreading evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low temperature for 2-3 hours, stirring every 45 minutes to prevent bottom from scorching and promote consistent creaminess.
- When cheese is fully melted and sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency, the dish is ready to serve hot.
- Optional: Garnish with additional black pepper or fresh herbs before presenting to enhance visual appeal and flavor profile.
Notes
- Prevent Overcooking: Watch pasta closely during initial boiling to keep it al dente, ensuring it doesn’t become mushy during slow cooking.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Grate cheese at room temperature for smoother melting and more even distribution throughout the dish.
- Customize Texture: Add a splash more milk if sauce seems too thick during cooking, creating a silkier consistency.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular milk with lactose-free or plant-based alternatives for dietary restrictions, maintaining the creamy richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 444
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 584 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg