This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a family favorite and appears at every holiday! With just minutes of prep, the sauce is unexpected and always gets rave reviews!
Serve this slow cooker macaroni as a holiday side dish or alongside baked ham for Sunday supper. This comes out of the slow cooker perfect every time!
Holly’s Notes From the Test Kichen
Elbow macaroni noodles are slow cooked in a rich, cheesy sauce. Homemade mac and cheese is my personal favorite food, and I can assure you that this is the best crock pot macaroni and cheese I’ve ever had!
- Unusual ingredients, amazing flavor. Thousands of reviews can’t be wrong!
- It has a perfect consistency every time, and the pasta is not mushy.
- This recipe takes only about 10 minutes of prep, and the slow cooker does the rest.
- This recipe can be doubled for a crowd and left on warm for serving.
- Everyone loves this recipe , it’s the best.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Why This is the Best Crockpot Mac & Cheese Ever
1. Precooked Pasta
To ensure a perfect texture, precook the pasta to ensure it is perfect every time.
After testing countless “no boil” mac and cheese recipes that call for uncooked pasta, I’ve found the results to be inconsistent, with some brands becoming mushy or gummy.
Tip: Boil the macaroni about 2 minutes less than indicated on your package to keep it from getting mushy.
2. Sauce Ingredients
I prefer crock pot macaroni and cheese without Velveeta or evaporated milk. This sauce uses an unusual mixture that I created, and while some of the ingredients may seem odd, they come together to make the best cheesy sauce!
A traditional cream sauce or cheese sauce doesn’t hold up well in the slow cooker, as dairy can curdle and/or separate in the crock pot. The mayonnaise keeps the sauce silky smooth, you can’t taste it, and either regular or light mayonnaise or dressing will work.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is perfect for camping or potlucks, basically, anywhere you don’t have an oven. It’s also a great way to save oven space for Thanksgiving dinner (including turkey and stuffing!) and cook this on the side.
How to Make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
This slow cooker macaroni and cheese takes less than 10 minutes to get into the Crock Pot and then it’s ready to go!
- Boil pasta for about 2 minutes less than the package indicates.
- While pasta is boiling, shred the sharp cheddar cheese.
- Put all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook per the recipe below.
Tips for Perfection
- Pasta: Do not overcook the pasta, it should be very firm after boiling. Rinsing the pasta stops it from cooking.
- Cheese: Our recent recipe tests have shown little difference between shredding your own cheese and pre-shredded cheeses.
- Cooking time: Check the pasta early, slow cookers can vary.
- Slow cooker size: A single batch of this slow-cooker mac can be cooked in a 4QT slow cooker. If using a 6QT slow cooker, it will cook faster so check it early.
- Double the recipe: To double this recipe, use a 6QT crockpot. Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours, stirring after 1 hour and 2 hours. (When stirring, try to do it as quickly as possible to keep the heat inside).
- Make ahead: To prepare this ahead of time, mix all of the ingredients except the pasta. The pasta can be cooked ahead, rinsed, and cooled. Combine the pasta and sauce ingredients in the crock pot just before cooking.
- Baking in the oven: If you prefer or if you are short on time, you can bake this in the oven (and I have many many times!) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake 30 minutes covered and 30 minutes uncovered.
Note: Slow cookers can vary! You may have to slightly adjust the time for your slow cooker. If your Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is done early, you can turn your slow cooker onto warm.
More Crock Pot Holiday Sides
- Crock Pot Creamed Corn
- No Boil Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes
- Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole
- Crock Pot Stuffing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 10.5 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup 1 can
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream regular or light
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil macaroni noodles according to directions to make them very al dente. (I cook them for at least 1-2 minutes less than directed on the bag. Mine boiled for 5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Combine all ingredients in a 4qt* slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3 hours, stirring once or twice.
- Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- Pasta: Do not overcook the pasta, it should be very firm after boiling. Rinsing the pasta stops it from cooking.
- Cheese: If you do not have gruyere cheese, you can use an additional cup of cheddar instead (4 cups in total).
- Cooking time: Check the pasta early, slow cookers can vary.
- *Slow cooker size: A single batch of this slow-cooker mac should be made in a 4QT slow cooker. If using a 6QT slow cooker, it will cook faster so check it early.
- Double the recipe: To double this recipe, use a 6QT crockpot. Cook on high for 2 ½ hours, stirring after 1 hour and 2 hours. (When stirring, try to do it as quickly as possible to keep the heat inside).
- Make ahead: To prepare this ahead of time, mix all of the ingredients except the pasta. The pasta can be cooked ahead, rinsed, and cooled. Combine the pasta and sauce ingredients in the crockpot just before cooking.
- Baking in the oven: If you prefer or if you are short on time, you can bake this in the oven (and I have many many times!) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake 30 minutes covered and 30 minutes uncovered.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Casserole, Main Course, Pasta, Side Dish
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
I’ve made this recipe 4 times. Clearly this creates the most excitement in my family. Initially I found the ingredients separated but after reading I likely cooked it too long, I adjusted it. HOLY COW. I won’t ever look for another recipe. Bravo….Excellent 5 stars. I thank you sincerely xoxoxo
So happy to hear that, Annette!
Have you ever tried this recipe using uncooked pasta? I worry the noodles will come out mushy.
Thank you!
I have only made this recipe as written Sheila.
I always double the recipe and they still complain when it’s gone. My family will not allow me to try any other recipe. I don’t quite understand their excitement but even guests ask for more.
Doubled the recipe and really liked the flavor but it was SO greasy to the point where it affected the creaminess of the mac and cheese.
If you found it to be greasy this would likely be because the cheese separated which means the temp was too high or it overcooked a bit. Your slow cooker could run a bit hotter so if you try again, either cook it on a lower temperature and/or check it earlier. I hope that helps!
I don’t have any sour cream, can I make this without it or is there something else that I can use as a substitute? I also do not have any gruyere cheese or dry mustard powder.
Hi RG, we have only made this recipe as listed but you could try greek yogurt in place of sour cream. For the gruyere cheese you can substitute your favorite just keep in mind this will change the flavor of the mac and cheese. And other readers have swapped dry mustard powder for dijon mustard or regular mustard and had good results! We would love to hear how this recipe turns out for you!
My youngest is obsessed with boxed mac and cheese. I tried a couple other homemade versions, but he turned his nose up at my attempts. Then I made this recipe, and, bingo, he loved it and asks for it weekly. Initially, I thought the cream of chicken soup sounded like an odd addition, but it works. I can’t believe how creamy the sauce turns out. The cheddar and gryere are a perfect combination. Thanks for this!
Can you use condensed cheddar cheese soup in this recipe instead of the cream of chicken?
I think that would work out well, Holli. Enjoy!
Hi!
I would love to make this in an Instapot! What setting and time do you recommend?
Thanks so much!
Hi Becky, we have this delicious Instant Pot Mac and Cheese that has all the instructions on how to make it in an instant pot. We hope you enjoy it!
Soooooo creamy, easy, quick to put together and delicious. I will make this again for sure.
This is a lot different than other crock pot mac and cheese recipes. I made this for a Christmas potluck with family and it didn’t go over well. I think it has too much of a strong tangy cheese taste. (best way I can describe it) I will not be making this one again but you don’t know until you try.
The directions were well done for this recipe, but I just didn’t like the taste of the chicken soup in macaroni and cheese. The flavor doesn’t quite cook off and mac and cheese having a chicken soup taste was strange. I wouldn’t make this again.
Sorry to hear that, Donna! You can substitute the cream of chicken soup for any other “cream of …” soup that you prefer. Other readers have tried it with cream of mushroom and had delicious results!
I would like to make this to take to my granddaughters bday party an hour away. How do you suggest doing this with the cooking times and keeping warm etc..?
Will you have a couple of hours once you arrive? If so, you can prepare this before leaving and cook it once you arrive.
If you won’t have time to cook it it can be cooked before leaving. The crock can be removed from the slow cooker and placed in an empty cooler (we usually insulate with towels) to keep warm. It may need to be heated a little bit when you arrive but should be fine for 1 hour if insulated and kept warm. I would suggest undercooking slightly as the pasta will continue to soak up the sauce as it rests.
Made this today for our work potluck and it was a big hit! I doubled the recipe; 1-16 ounce box of macaroni equals 4 cups, and it turned out perfect! Will use this recipe again on Saturday for Christmas dinner! Thank you for the many delicious recipes you have given us over the years! Happy Holidays!!
Is 2 cups of uncooked elbow Mac a 1/2 pound?
Thanks.
Hi Jillian, yes. 2 cups of dry macaroni is about half a pound.
Wondering if can use colby/chedd instead of just cheddar along with the gruyere
Yes, any cheese will work in this recipe!
Hello, if doubling this recipe for a 6qt crock pot do you recommend adjusting the cooking time?
I doubled the recipe in a 6QT slow cooker and cooked on high for 2½ hours, stirring after 1 hour and 2 hours. Worked perfectly!
I made this Mac and cheese in the oven. It was too rich and a little bit greasy.
I’m a vegetarian, what can I use instead of cream of chicken?
Any “cream of” soup will work in this recipe!
cream of mushroom might be good
Hi! Can I use a 3 qt crockpot of if I don’t have a 4qt??
It should be okay in a 3qt crockpot but it will be very full. We would love to hear how it turns out for you Therese.
Hi there! I’ve been asked to bring a Mac and Cheese dish for family Christmas dinner. After researching several recipes, I’m most interested in yours. I’m thinking this Crock Pot one would be best since we have a large group and a 45 min drive. However, I’m confused with the recipe. This recipe adds condensed cream of chicken soup to the Crock Pot, but your recipe for Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup says do not use in Crock Pot? Please help with this confusion. Thanks, S Thornburg
Thanks for pointing that out. We don’t recommend using our homemade condensed cream of chicken soup because the milk can curdle in the slow cooker. So I would use a store-bought canned version for this recipe.
Hi there! This looks absolutely amazing! I’m going to make this for a bunch of guys at my husbands work for dinner next week as a treat. I’d like to add ground hamburger into the mix (and maybe a can or 2 of veggies?), but I’m concerned it will make the dish too dry. Do you think this will be ok to do? Should I add after it’s finished cooking in the crock pot? Thank you!! :)
Hi Gina, I have only made this recipe as listed so I can’t say for sure but it does sound delicious. Other readers have added ground beef with good results, I would probably cook the ground beef separately and add it towards the end of the cooking, you could probably add the vegetables at this time too.