Description

This Ultra Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese is an easy, hands-off recipe perfect for a comforting meal. Combining elbow pasta with a rich blend of evaporated milk, whole milk, broth, butter, and a mix of spices, it’s slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot. Sharp and white cheddar cheeses melt into the creamy base for a deliciously cheesy finish, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Liquids

1 pound elbow pasta (uncooked)
16 ounces evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)

Seasonings and Butter

3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Cheeses

8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (aged cheddar optional for smoky flavor)
4 ounces white cheddar cheese

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In the bowl of a crockpot, add the uncooked elbow pasta, evaporated milk, whole milk, broth, butter, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. This creates the flavorful base for your mac and cheese.
Cook on High: Cover the crockpot and cook on high heat for 1 hour. This allows the pasta to absorb the liquids and soften while the flavors meld together.
Add Cheese: Stir in the sharp cheddar and white cheddar cheeses until evenly combined. The cheeses will begin melting into the creamy sauce.
Finish Cooking: Cover the crockpot again and cook for another 30 minutes on high. This step ensures the cheese fully melts and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
Adjust Consistency and Serve: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of extra milk to thin it out. Stir well and serve the mac and cheese warm for the best taste and texture.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Reheat gently before serving to maintain creaminess.

Notes

For a smoky flavor, use aged sharp cheddar cheese instead of regular sharp cheddar.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of broth slightly.
Adding a splash of extra milk at the end helps adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
You can add cooked vegetables or cooked bacon for variations.
Make sure to stir well after adding cheese to avoid clumping.
Leftovers keep well and can be reheated on stovetop or microwave.