Description
Everything—including the pasta—cooks in the slow cooker in this mac and cheese recipe, so you only have one dish to clean.
Ingredients
Scale
- Kosher salt (for pasta water)
- 1 lb. (16 oz.) large elbow or corkscrew pasta
- Cooking spray
- 6 oz. cream cheese, cut into pieces, room temperature
- 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 (12-oz.) can evaporated milk
- 1 cup (240 mL) half-and-half
- 3/4 cup (180 mL) whole milk
- 1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard powder
- 3/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/3 cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp. dried parsley
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, 3 to 4 minutes less than minimum time according to package directions. Drain.
- Step: Spray a large slow cooker with cooking spray. Add pasta, cream cheese, and butter and stir to combine. Add evaporated milk, half-and-half, whole milk, mustard powder, garlic powder, and nutmeg; season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Step: Cover and cook on Low, stirring once halfway through, until pasta is al dente (check after 1 hour, continuing every 15 minutes if needed).
- Step: Add cheddar, Gruyère, mozzarella, and sour cream and stir to combine. Cover and continue to cook on Low until cheese is melted and warmed through, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Step: In a small bowl, mix panko, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Step: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add panko mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Step: Top macaroni and cheese with panko mixture and serve.
Notes
Use sturdy pasta like large elbow or corkscrew to prevent mushiness. Shred cheese fresh from the block for the creamiest result. If the mac and cheese thickens too much before serving, stir in a splash of milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 691 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1150 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Keywords: slow cooker, macaroni and cheese, comfort food, creamy pasta, easy dinner