Craving a comforting and cheesy dish without spending hours in the kitchen? Look no further than this comprehensive guide to creating the ultimate slow cooker mac and cheese. Whether you prefer a classic rendition or something with a twist, we've got you covered. Discover the secrets to achieving the perfect balance of creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and a golden-brown crust. Get ready to indulge in a culinary journey that will satisfy your taste buds and warm your soul with every bite.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
SLOW COOKER MAC AND CHEESE
This creamy, comforting meal takes just moments to assemble and is always a big hit. Great for large family gatherings and to take to pot luck dinners. I'm always asked for the recipe!
Provided by Cathy P
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 3h25m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain and transfer pasta to slow cooker.
- Add butter to pasta and stir until melted; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle about 1/2 the Cheddar cheese over pasta and stir.
- Whisk evaporated milk and eggs together in a bowl until smooth; stir into pasta mixture.
- Whisk milk and Cheddar cheese soup together in a bowl until smooth; stir into pasta mixture. Sprinkle remaining cheese over pasta mixture; garnish with paprika.
- Cook on Low for 3 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 431.6 calories, Carbohydrate 33.9 g, Cholesterol 99 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 17.8 g, SaturatedFat 14.8 g, Sodium 524.2 mg, Sugar 4.7 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.
SLOW-COOKER MAC AND CHEESE
The ultimate in cheesy indulgence! This ultra-creamy spin on classic mac gets topped with a can't-skip-it sprinkling of toasty breadcrumbs that delivers a crunchy contrast in textures.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Side Dish
Time 3h5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, beat milks, melted butter, mustard, salt and peppers with whisk. Add macaroni and 3 1/2 cups of the Cheddar cheese, the cubed cheese and Parmesan cheese. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 1 hour. Stir well. Cover; cook 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until pasta is cooked, but not mushy.
- Stir until mac and cheese is combined and creamy. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese on top. Cover; let stand about 15 minutes or until melted.
- Meanwhile, in 8-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add bread crumbs; stir to coat. Cook and stir about 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle over mac and cheese, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 860, Carbohydrate 69 g, Cholesterol 145 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 3 g, Protein 37 g, SaturatedFat 28 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1330 mg, Sugar 14 g, TransFat 1 1/2 g
SLOW-COOKER MEXI MAC AND CHEESE
This slow-cooked macaroni has Mexican flavors for a delicious flavor twist! Get a head start by using thawed Make-Ahead Mexican Ground Beef in place of the ground beef, taco seasoning and water.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 2h35m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Spray bottom of 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Line side of slow cooker with foil; spray foil with cooking spray. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
- Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Add taco seasoning mix and water; simmer 2 to 3 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed.
- In large bowl, mix cheese sauce, milk and green chiles. Stir in macaroni and beef mixture. Spoon into slow cooker.
- Cover; cook on Low heat setting 2 hours. Stir; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with jalapeños.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 560, Carbohydrate 55 g, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 29 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1530 mg
SLOW COOKER PEPPERONI PIZZA MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
Provided by bubbles7380
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place uncooked macaroni in a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle in cornstarch and mix well, making sure that each noodle in lightly coated with cornstarch. Add the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker. Mix well to combine. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, stirring after 1 hour. Serve hot.
TASTY MAC AND CHEESE (SLOW COOKER)
Very creamy, full of flavor, and perfect for a slow cooker recipe!! This recipe has been made for 30-40 people for company potluck events and is a hit every time. Very cheesy and even has a little bit of bacon in it.
Provided by Angela Butler
Categories Cheese
Time 3h20m
Yield 5 quarts, 30 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Mince or puree large onion.
- Boil noodles in water or in chicken broth (adds more flavor). Add a dash of salt and the minced or pureed onion.
- Slightly beat together egg, milk, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Melt butter (about 40 sec in the microwave) and then stir so all the solid is mixed well.
- Mix the butter and Evaporated Milk into the bowl with the egg and milk mixture.
- Pour drained noodles into the slow cooker or crock pot. Spread evenly.
- Lightly mix in the cubed Velvetta cheese and Vermont Sharp Cheddar (Cracker Barrel is one brand), leaving some on the top.
- Pour the milk mixture over the noodles and cheese. Do NOT Stir.
- Spread bacon bits over the top of noodles. Do NOT Stir.
- Spread the 2 cups of shredded cheese over the top of the mac and cheese. Do NOT Stir.
- Cook on High for 90 minutes and then stir together to blend the melted cheese. Then another 90 minutes on High or 3 hrs on Low. Do not remove lid until the first 90 minutes has passed so that the mixture sets correctly.
- Stir well before serving.
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheese. This will make all the difference in the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a classic flavor, or try a combination of cheeses for a more complex flavor.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and not hold its shape in the mac and cheese.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. Making a roux will help to prevent the cheese sauce from becoming too thin and watery.
- Use milk or cream. Milk or cream will help to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. Use whole milk or cream for a richer flavor, or use skim milk or low-fat cream for a healthier option.
- Season the cheese sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat, or a teaspoon of dry mustard for a tangy flavor.
- Use a variety of toppings. You can top your mac and cheese with a variety of toppings, such as bread crumbs, bacon bits, chopped green onions, or grated Parmesan cheese.
Conclusion:
Slow cooker mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a family meal or a potluck. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a comforting and delicious meal, give slow cooker mac and cheese a try!
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