Comfort food doesn't get much better than a classic macaroni and cheese, especially when it's made in a slow cooker. This hands-off cooking method ensures that the pasta is cooked to perfection and the cheese sauce is rich and creamy. Plus, there are endless possibilities for customization, so you can make it exactly to your liking. Whether you prefer a simple recipe with just a few ingredients or one that's loaded with mix-ins, you're sure to find a slow cooker mac and cheese recipe that will become a new family favorite.
Let's cook with our recipes!
SLOW COOKER MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories main-dish
Time 3h25m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs and all but 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the slow cooker, stir the mixture and serve hot.
CHEF JOHN'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
This easy-to-make old-school macaroni and cheese has a perfectly crispy crust.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
- Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in the flour; cook on medium heat until flour just begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes. Add thyme, cayenne pepper, and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup of milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring the sauce just to a simmer.
- Stir in nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, and salt; simmer on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes, whisking often. Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups of Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Add Dijon mustard.
- Transfer the macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in the cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine sauce with pasta. Mix panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl, and sprinkle crumbs on top of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup of Cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese topping are golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 694.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.8 g, Cholesterol 94.5 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 29.4 g, SaturatedFat 19.9 g, Sodium 928.4 mg, Sugar 8.1 g
SLOW-COOKER MAC AND CHEESE
This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish. I've never met anyone who didn't ask for a second helping. -Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 4h
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Place in a 5-qt. slow cooker; add butter. In a large bowl, mix 3 cups cheese, evaporated milk, condensed soup, 2% milk and eggs. Pour over macaroni mixture; stir to combine. Cook, covered, on low for 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until a thermometer reads at least 160°., Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cook, covered, on low until cheese is melted, 15-20 minutes longer. Sprinkle with paprika.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 502 calories, Fat 28g fat (18g saturated fat), Cholesterol 131mg cholesterol, Sodium 638mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 21g protein.
JAN'S FAVORITE SLOW COOKER MAC & CHEESE
LOVE this mac&cheese. Cook to your liking. A little less cook time and a bit more milk to make it creamier.
Provided by JanetGomez
Categories Cheese
Time 3h15m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.
- In a slow cooker, combine cheese/butter mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well.
- Add cooked and drained macaroni and stir again.
- Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 239.1, Fat 17.7, SaturatedFat 10.6, Cholesterol 94.3, Sodium 487.3, Carbohydrate 9.7, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 1.8, Protein 10.5
CREAMY SLOW-COOKER MAC & CHEESE
Make and share this Creamy Slow-Cooker Mac & Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by AmyZoe
Categories Macaroni And Cheese
Time 2h5m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Spray 6 quart slow cooker with non stick spray. I don't use non stick spray, I used my butter wrapper to grease.
- Rinse the uncooked pasta well in cold water and drain.
- Add uncooked pasta to crockpot along with milks, cheeses, salt, pepper, mustard, garlic, and cayenne pepper.
- Stir to combine, making sure macaroni is submerged in liquid as much as possible.
- Dot with cubed butter.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 1 hour. Remove lid and stir. Depending on your slow cooker, your dish could be done at this point or require up to 1 to 2 more hours.
- If not done, continue cooking and checking periodically, every 30 minutes or so.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 586.2, Fat 30, SaturatedFat 18.4, Cholesterol 89.1, Sodium 825.5, Carbohydrate 52.4, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 5.6, Protein 26.3
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheese. A sharp cheddar cheese will give you the best flavor.
- Don't overcook the macaroni. It should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Add a little bit of mustard powder to the cheese sauce. This will give it a nice tang.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses. You can use a combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, or any other type of cheese that you like.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with a breadcrumb topping. This will give it a nice crunchy texture.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a simple dish to make, and it can be easily customized to your own taste. Whether you like it cheesy, creamy, or tangy, there is a macaroni and cheese recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these macaroni and cheese recipes a try.
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