• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Wendy Polisi
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Healthy Living
    • Essential Oils
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies Policy
    • Terms of Service and Conditions
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Lifestyle
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Side Dish Recipes

    Crockpot Mac and Cheese (Easy, Delicious, Family Favorite)

    Published: Sep 14, 2022 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Dec 7, 2022 · 1086 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

    Sharing is caring!

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crockpot Mac and Cheese is a simple dish pulled together with fridge and pantry staples. This recipe is easy enough to tackle any night of the week, and delicious enough for a special occasion.  Any time you need comfort food, this mac and cheese delivers - it is one you will go back to again and again.

    Overhead close up photo of a small dish of crockpot macaroni and cheese.

    If you're in need of an easy, cheesy comfort food dish, look no further than crockpot macaroni and cheese. 

    This recipe is simple to follow and results in a creamy, delicious dish that is perfect for any occasion. 

    It has all of the flavor of baked mac and cheese and doesn’t require any oven space.  (Perfect for the holidays!)

    Whether you're needing a quick meal or something to bring to a party, this dish is sure to satisfy everyone. 

    So gather your ingredients and get started on this easy crockpot Mac and Cheese!

    Ingredients for Making Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

    Overhead photo of shredded cheddar, flour, seasonings, american cheese, butter, macaroni noodles, evaporated milk, and milk.
    • Pasta:  Elbow macaroni is classic for making mac and cheese, but you could use penne or another short pasta if you like.
    • Butter:  Use salted or unsalted butter; just make sure to adjust the seasonings accordingly.  (I used salted.)
    • Flour:  All-purpose flour is what you'll need for the roux. Gluten-free flour would also work.
    • Milk:  For this recipe, I used a combination of whole milk and evaporated milk. The evaporated milk helps to make the sauce extra creamy.
    • Seasonings:  Garlic powder, ground dry mustard, and salt and pepper can be adjusted to taste.
    • Cheese:  I used a mix of sharp cheddar cheese and American cheeses, but you could use all cheddar, all American, or a mix of your favorite cheeses. For more complex flavors, gruyere and gouda are nice additions.

    Tips & Tricks

    • I recommend stirring the mac and cheese occasionally while it is cooking.  This will help to prevent burnt bits at the edges.  If you can’t do this, no worries!  Just stir the into the pasta.  They add great little bites of texture.
    • If your sauce seems too thick, add a little milk to thin it out.  
    • If you want to add a bit of spice, a ¼ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper is perfect.
    • Want to add some veggies or protein?  Baby peas, broccoli, ham, turkey, or bacon are all great options.  (Just pre-cook them and stir them in before you add the last bit of cheese.)

    Serving Suggestions

    This easy dish makes a perfect vegetarian main course served alongside a salad or your favorite veggie.

    It is also fabulous with Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Steak Bites, Seared Flank Steak, Crockpot Salsa Chicken, or Blackstone Steak.

    Frequently Asked Questions 

    Why is my crockpot mac and cheese grainy?

    If your crockpot mac and cheese is grainy, it is likely due to the flour not being fully cooked.  

    Make sure to cook the roux (flour and butter mixture) until it is bubbly and starting to turn golden in color.  This will help to ensure a smooth sauce.

    How do you keep mac and cheese creamy?

    The best way to keep mac and cheese creamy is to use a combination of milk and evaporated milk.  

    The evaporated milk helps to make sauce extra creamy.  I also recommend stirring the pasta occasionally while it is cooking.

    Can you overcook macaroni and cheese in a crockpot?

    Yes, you can overcook macaroni and cheese in a crockpot.  I recommend cooking it on low for 2 hours or on high for 1 hour.  If you cook it for too long, the pasta will become mushy.

    Tools Needed to Make Macaroni and Cheese in the Crockpot

    As an Amazon Associate, I Earn from Qualifying Sales.

    • Slow Cooker
    • Saucepans/Pots
    • Colander

    Storage

    You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring often, until heated through. 

    This recipe can also be frozen. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

    How to Make Easy Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

    First, start by bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

    Cook the pasta for five minutes.  (This will be less than what the package suggests, and that is intentional.)

    Boiling water in a pot.
    A saucepan with cream sauce on the stove.
    A saucepan with cream sauce that has just had shredded cheddar sprinkled over it.

    Drain the pasta and add it to your slow cooker.

    Next, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat or in your slow cooker if it has an saute function.  Once melted, add the flour and cook for three minutes while whisking often.  You want the roux to be a light golden brown. 

    Then, add the milk, evaporated milk, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt and pepper to the roux.  Simmer until the cheese sauce thickens, about five minutes.

    Cooked elbow noodles in a crockpot.
    Cheese sauce poured over elbow noodles in a crockpot.
    Cooked macaroni and cheese in a crockpot.

    Reduce the heat to low and add in 12 ounces of the cheddar cheese and the American cheese.  Stir to combine.

    Pour the sauce over the noodles in your slow cooker and stir everything together.

    Cook on low for two hours or high for one hour.  (I recommend cooking it on low so the pasta doesn't become overcooked.)

    About 15 minutes before serving, add the remaining four ounces of cheese.  Cover and let it melt into the sauce.

    Once everything is melted and bubbly, it's ready to serve!  I like to top mine with a little extra cheese, but that's completely optional.

    Enjoy!

    More Must-Try Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
    • Easy Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
    • Crockpot Cheese Potatoes
    • Crockpot Taco Soup
    Overhead photo of Crockpot Macaroni and cheese on a white and blue napkin with a fork next to it.

    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
    Close up square overhead photo of Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

    Looking for an easy, cheesy weeknight meal? This Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect dish! Just toss your ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do all the work for you. Dinner will be ready in no time!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time2 hrs
    Total Time2 hrs 10 mins
    Course: Main, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Keyword: slow cooker
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 458kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Equipment

    • Crockpot

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound elbow macaroni
    • ¼ cup butter
    • ¼ cup all purpose flour
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 12 ounces evaporated milk
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
    • 16 ounces shredded cheddar divided
    • 8 ounces American cheese diced

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta in salted water for 5 minutes. Drain, and transfer to your slow cooker.
    • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat or in your slow cooker if it has an saute function.
    • Add the flour, and cook for 3 minutes, whisking often.
    • Add the milk, evaporated milk, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt and pepper.
    • Simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
    • Reduce heat to low and add in 12 ounces of the cheddar cheese and the American cheese.
    • Stir to combine.
    • Pour over the noodles.
    • Cook on low for 2 hours, or high for 1 hour.
    • Add the remaining 4 ounces of cheese. Cover until the cheese melts.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 458kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 776mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 810IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 618mg | Iron: 4mg

    Filed Under:

    Casserole RecipesChristmas RecipesEaster RecipesFall RecipesMain Dish RecipesSide Dish RecipesSlow Cooker RecipesThanksgiving RecipesVegetarian Recipes

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
    • Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
    • Tahini Pasta
    • Creamy Ninja Foodi Mac and Cheese

    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Rating




    1. Dana

      September 15, 2022 at 11:18 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve been on the lookout for a good crockpot Mac and cheese and this definitely did not disappoint! So delicious everyone asked for seconds.

      Reply
    2. Glenda

      September 16, 2022 at 1:39 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely scrumptious! We loved this cheesy, delicious pasta! True comfort food.

      Reply
    3. Sandy

      November 21, 2022 at 10:21 pm

      Hi Wendy,
      Can this recipe be doubled? I have an old 7 quart crockpot. I'm also OLD, lol...
      Can it be made ahead and frozen? Thank you. I appreciate your help.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        November 23, 2022 at 2:52 pm

        I haven't tried it, but as long as everything fits in your crockpot is should be fine.

        Mac and cheese freezes pretty well. I wouldn't say it is as good as it was originally, but it makes good leftovers for lunch.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Favorites

    • Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
    • Gluten Free Vegetarian Lasagna
    • Crispy Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Sweet Potato
    • Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
    • Easy Slow Cooker Polenta
    • Zucchini Ravioli Recipe

    Family, Food and Fun!

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    More about me →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Terms of Service
    • About
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.