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This easy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is a cheesy masterpiece! No condensed soups or Velveeta, just loads of delicious real cheese and classic elbow noodles!

While this Southern-style mac and cheese is the perfect side dish for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter using the crock pot makes it easy enough for weeknight dinners.

homemade mac and cheese in a black slow cooker crock pot

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There aren’t many comfort foods that can stand up to Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese!

After a lot of trial and error, this is absolutely the best Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe we’ve tried. There are no condensed soups, no Velveeta cheese, just real ingredients that make this recipe a winner every time!

Why I love this recipe

only 6 basic ingredients
the cheese sauce is made from real cheese
super easy to throw together, boiling the noodles is the hardest part
100% creamy comfort food
this mac and cheese reheats well so leftovers can be enjoyed for days

Ingredients

elbow macaroni noodles
butter
shredded cheese: cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese
evaporated milk
half and half – can substitute whole milk if needed
salt & pepper

spraying slow cooker with nonstick spray

Step by step

Line the slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or spray thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray.
Boil the elbow macaroni according to box instructions for al dente (still slightly firm.)
Drain pasta and add to the slow cooker.
Add butter, salt, and pepper to pasta and stir until melted.
Pour evaporated milk, half & half, mozzarella cheese, and 2/3 of cheddar cheese to slow cooker.
Stir to mix.
Cover and cook on low for 1 hour 15 minutes.
Remove cover and add remaining cheddar cheese to the top. Replace cover and allow to cook an additional 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Change slow cooker setting to warm and serve immediately.

mixing elbow noodles, cheese, and milk to make slow cooker mac and cheese

Tips for best results

spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray or use a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup
mix the ingredients well before cooking
don’t open the slow cooker while it is cooking

Variations

To make this a Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Bacon recipe simply add 6-8 pieces of cooked, crumbled bacon to the top when serving. Do not add bacon while cooking or it will be soggy.
You can add 8 ounces of cream cheese chopped into cubes for an even creamier version.
Experiment with changing up flavor by switching out the cheeses to make this recipe your own: substitute the sharp cheddar cheese with american cheese, monterey jack cheese, or colby

overhead view of slow cooker mac and cheese in a black crock pot with spoon sticking out

Can I make this Mac and Cheese on the stove top?

No, this recipe is formulated specifically for the slow cooker.

Storage

Store leftover slow cooker macaroni in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. If reheating in the microwave I like to add a little pat of butter over the top to help keep it creamy and not dry it out.

This dish freezes well for up to 2 months in an airtight freezer container. You can also freeze it into individual portions for quick meals. To reheat, thaw overnight then heat in the oven at 350°F for one hour.

scooping crock pot mac and cheese out of slow cooker

You might also like this Slow Cooker Ham, Bacon, Potato, & Cheese Soup or Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili.

If you’ve tried this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!