Description
The ultimate cheesy comfort food – now available via the slow cooker! The Best Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is anything but ordinary and will delight adults and kids alike. This easy and homey melt-in-your-mouth mac is perfect for a holiday or potluck side dish, or anytime you need a kid-friendly dinner idea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 3 cups whole milk
- ½ cups heavy cream
- 3 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1½ cups freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
Instructions
- Step: Spray slow cooker insert with nonstick spray.
- Step: Add uncooked macaroni to slow cooker.
- Step: Pour in milk and heavy cream, then stir gently to coat pasta.
- Step: Add butter, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Step: Sprinkle in cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan, stirring just until combined.
- Step: Cover and cook on low for 2-2½ hours, stirring once or twice if possible, until pasta is tender and sauce is creamy.
- Step: Once cooked, stir well and let the mac and cheese sit for 5-10 minutes to thicken before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in individual airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Freeze individual portions in tightly sealed containers for up to 3 months. Shred your own cheese for the smoothest sauce. Cook on low for best results and even melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 150 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 857 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1177 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 29 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 144 mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, slow cooker, comfort food, side dish, vegetarian