Description
A creamy, velvety mac and cheese made effortlessly in a crockpot, perfect for cozy comfort food with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz (115 g) softened cream cheese
- 2 ½ cups (600 ml) whole milk
- 2 tbsp (28 g) butter
- 2 tbsp (15 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or dash of hot sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 5 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine Cheeses: In a medium bowl, combine shredded sharp cheddar, shredded mozzarella, and softened cream cheese. Stir until mostly combined.
- Create Sauce Base: Add butter and flour directly into the crockpot. Pour in milk and whisk thoroughly to avoid lumps. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Turn crockpot on low and let mixture thicken for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the cooked pasta and cheese mixture gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Stir every 30 minutes to ensure even melting and prevent sticking.
- Final Touch: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of milk. Serve immediately.
Notes
Undercook pasta slightly before adding to crockpot to avoid mushy noodles. Stir every 20-30 minutes during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even melting. Use block cheese and shred yourself for best texture. Adjust seasoning at the end. If crockpot runs hot, monitor after first hour to avoid overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg