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Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese #whatsfordinner

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Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese ~

 

Here is the recipe for slow cooker macaroni and cheese that I have promised a few readers. Cooking times vary depending on the slow cooker that you use. I generally use a large oval Crock Pot (not sure of the quarts as it has scraped off over the years). I have a 5 quart and it is nowhere near big enough for this recipe, though – you could probably half it for it. I like to cook this for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you are counting calories, this recipe is not for you – but for an occasional holiday treat, it rocks!

 

You will need…

16 ounces pasta shells

8 cups shredded cheese (I like to use colby or cheddar and sometimes a mix of the two)

2 (12 ounce) cans evaporated milk

3 cups milk

4 eggs

 

1. Cook the pasta shells on the stove like you normally would for macaroni (approximately 7 minutes). Drain.

2. Coat slow cooker with non stick cooking spray. (I use Pam)

3. In a bowl (or the pot you cooked the macaroni in), mix together the pasta, 7 of the 8 cups of cheese, all the evaporated milk, all the milk, and all the eggs.

4. Pour the mixture into the crockpot.

5. Sprinkle the remainder of the cheese over the mixture.

6. Cover and cook on LOW for 4(ish) hours. Do not open and do not stir during the cooking process. Macaroni will be done when most of the liquid has evaporated and cheese starts to get golden. The mixture does start to harden after it cools, so I like to cook it just long enough to where there is a little liquid left. You may have to play with the time a little bit to see how best you like it, as i have been making this for several years. Remember, if you don’t cook it quite long enough, you can always cook it more. If you cook it too long – ah oh!

I hope you love it! My family does and they all give it 5/5 stars and it is one of their absolute favorite dishes!

Check this out if you prefer baked macaroni and cheese!

About Dawn McAlexander

Dawn is a full time writer and content creator. Besides Cheap Is The New Classy, she also owns and writes for EatPlayRock.com, an entertainment site. Her interests include traveling, attending music events, DIY projects and reading. Dawn has a B.S. in Psychology and currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, Kenny, their dog, Marley, and their cat, TJ.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kimberly C. says

    I love slow cooker cooking, it is hard for me to mess up! This sounds very evil and very yummy. I think I am going to try it this weekend actually as I know the kids will love it. If you make this for a dinner what sides do you serve to round it out?

    Pitch List Love!

    • Dawn says

      Well, since we generally have it for Thanksgiving and Christmas we generally have it with turkey or ham. However, it also goes well with chicken. I have a recipe for chicken in the #whatsfordinner section {at the bottom of this recipe} that I have served it with as well that i think it goes well with. 🙂 Good luck! I hope you and your family like it!

      This one does occasionally burn a little around the edges – so don’t be alarmed if yours does too. If you find that yours does this, you can try turning it down on warm for about the last half hour of cooking – that fixed it for me. 🙂

      Dawn

      • Nyteflame says

        No way! The crispy part of baked mac and cheese is the best! (Sorry for the late comment, just found you on Pinterest. I can’t wait to check out the rest of your recipes).

        • Dawn McAlexander says

          It you cook it longer, it will get crisp on top. But keep a close eye on it so you don’t burn it. 🙂

  4. Shawna says

    My entire family loves mac n’ cheese! Well, me not nearly as much as they do, but I eat it. My point? This looks like a great recipe that I absolutely must try if not simply to change things up a little bit. It looks delicious and I imagine it’s got to be healthier than whatever is in that powdered cheese that comes in the boxes of mac n’ cheese!

    • Dawn says

      If you change things up a bit and it’s good, will you share? I change the cheeses often in this as I like to try new stuff. 🙂

      Dawn

  9. Sharon says

    I have to admit I’ve never fixed homemade mac and cheese. We always use the box. I think I’ll have to try this. Looks like something I can even handle! lol Yum!

  21. Jennifer Mae Hiles says

    I’ve never made home cooked mac and cheese but I have been wanting to try it. This looks like a great recipe that is simple and affordable and a perfect comfort dish for winter! Yummm

  23. Abby says

    My mac and cheese is cooking as I type this. So excited to try it. Thanks for the recipe! It looks delicious already 🙂

  25. Krystle(Baking Beauty) says

    This looks SO good! If I start now I could be eating it by one am lol! Yes i really did just calculate that!

  26. Jennifer says

    Wow! This looks delish! Waaaay better than the boxed stuff LOL! Thanks for sharing … my daughter loves non-boxed mac-n-cheese so I’m going to make this for her (or, better yet, give her the recipe and let her make it for ME 😉 !)

  30. MonaG says

    I LOVE mac & cheese and have made both the boxed mixes and from scratch(yummy but time-consuming). I’ve also used the Kraft microwave mac & cheese cups but those are expensive.

    I REALLY need to get a slow-cooker. This recipe sounds delish. I would make it with a Mexican shredded cheese mix to change things up.

    • Dawn says

      Oh, I have tried it with Mexican Shredded Cheese and it is GREAT!!! Definitely get a slow cooker. You can make so many yummy things with so little effort. 🙂

      Dawn

    • Dawn McAlexander says

      I have not tried it with coconut milk, but I would love to know your thoughts if you decide to.

  32. John Hutchens says

    sounds very good. mac and cheese is a favorite here. I will have to try this recipe

  33. John Hutchens says

    a very tasty mac and cheese. Thanks . Made me look like a good cook. LOL

  34. ANN*H says

    Everybody love macaroni and cheese in my house. I have never made it in my crock pot tho. I will have to try it this way.This looks so yummy I cant wait to make it this way. I have not ever used canned milk in mine before either. thanks for the recipe

  35. Jo-Ann Brightman says

    This recipe looks delicious and fattening. I can understand why it is for a special occasion, and the amount is right for holiday meals. I don’t use a slow cooker that much, but this recipe might make me change my mind.

  36. Lesley M. says

    I love slow cooker meals, and this absolutely wonderful. We will be definitely be trying this sometime this week!!

  41. Jo-Ann Brightman says

    I have never tried to cook macaroni and cheese in a slow cooker. The photos make me drool. It looks really good.

    • Dawn McAlexander says

      I have one on this blog as well that is cooked in the oven with bread crumbs and I really like that crunch. My husband and daughter don’t though. They might be crazy. 😉

  45. Sherry Compton says

    Slow cooking is so convenient and comforting even better when it’s for a comfort food like Mac and cheese. This looks really cheesy and filling. A friend of mine was just talking about her love of Mac and cheese. I will have to share this with her.

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