Prepare to revolutionize your comfort food game with the ULTIMATE hands-off mac and cheese that will make your taste buds dance and your family beg for seconds! This Creamy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese is not just another recipe—it's a game-changing, soul-warming dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into a luxurious, cheesy masterpiece with minimal effort. Imagine coming home to a perfectly creamy, piping-hot mac and cheese that practically makes itself while you go about your day. Get ready to become the mac and cheese hero of your household!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of cheddar soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of your 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cheddar cheese, cream of cheddar soup, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth and well incorporated.
- Add uncooked elbow macaroni to the cheese mixture and stir thoroughly, ensuring all pasta is coated with the creamy sauce.
- Pour the entire macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared slow cooker, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to cook on LOW heat for 2 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature.
- After 2 hours, check the pasta for doneness. If the macaroni is still too firm, stir gently and continue cooking for an additional 15-30 minutes.
- Once pasta is tender and sauce is creamy, turn off the slow cooker. Let the macaroni and cheese rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Stir gently before serving to redistribute the creamy sauce. Optionally, top with additional shredded cheese or chopped fresh parsley.
Tips
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melting and flavor—pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
- Don't overcook! The key to perfect mac and cheese is watching the pasta closely. Different slow cookers can vary in temperature, so start checking at the
- 5-hour mark.
- For extra richness, consider adding a few cubes of cream cheese to the mixture for an even more decadent sauce.
- If the sauce seems too thick, you can thin it out with a little extra milk during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- For a crispy top, transfer the finished mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with additional cheese, and broil for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Experiment with cheese varieties—try a blend of cheddar, monterey jack, and gruyere for a more complex flavor profile.
- Let the mac and cheese rest after cooking to allow the sauce to set and become even more creamy and luxurious.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 620kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Cholesterol: 74mg
