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.
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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
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You may have already answered this is another comment, but do you think a can of cheddar cheese soup would work instead of cream of chicken, mushroom or celery? Or would that be TOO cheesy? Thanks!
I think it would work… it would definitely be cheesy but in my books there’s no such thing as TOO cheesy. :)
this was really good. I added a cup of diced ham. think the ham made it a little salty but still excellent. I will definately make this again.
So glad you enjoyed this Jeff!!
Hi Penny!
The crock pot mac n cheese sounds divine!! Question: my husband is having a grand opening at one of his businesses and I’m in charge of making the Mac n Cheese – I was just going to make my normal recipe and put it in the crock pot to stay warm, but I want to make yours instead. I have 2 large crockpots, so could I double or even triple the recipe for each crock pot or would the noodles take up too much room for it to cook properly?
Thanks so much for your help! I love all your posts!!!
I would say you could easily double it for each slow cooker. You’ll want to ensure your slow cooker isn’t more than ¾ full. Because it will be quite full you’ll want to give it a stir part way through cooking.
Hi! This looks so good, but I would like to triple the recipe for a crowd. Do you suggest keeping the cooking time the same in the crockpot? Also, do you suggest shredded cheese in the bag or shred a block of cheese?
Thanks!
You may like to add a little bit onto the cooking time and give it a stir while cooking just to make sure the center gets heated too. While either would work, I personally shred my own cheese as the pre-shredded does have extra starches added to keep the cheese from sticking.
Can u freeze this recipe into individual portions??
I have not tried freezing this recipe.
Hi Holly! Do you recommend using sharp or mild cheddar? Thanks!
Either will work. I personally prefer sharp because I love the stronger cheddar flavor.
Thank you for this amazing recipe! I stumbled upon it last month, and it has become a favorite! My kids who are 21 and 22 make it too! Delicious fast and easy for us very busy people.
I’m so glad all of you have enjoyed this recipe!
My question is about the Ultra Creamy Mac’n Cheese in the Slow Cooker recipe. If you make it in the oven instead of the slow cooker do you cook the macaroni fully or still al dente. Thanks!
Still al dente, it will soak up a little of the sauce and finish cooking in the oven. :)
Tried it tonight & it tasted good. Used cream of mushroom soup instead. Also mixed it some buttered panko bread crumbs.
Could I use truffle oil somehow?
You could certainly drizzle it on just before serving.
Can I double this recipe for the slow cooker?
Yes, this recipe can be doubled. You may need to give it a stir part way through.
Can I refrigerate this and bake the next day?
That should work just fine!
Is it an okay “make ahead” meal….
Like would it be okay if I prepared it all and warmed it up the next day?
I haven’t tried it that way but I do think it would work. You’ll just want to be sure not to overcook your pasta.
Do you think substituting gluten free vegetable broth would work in place of the cream of chicken soup? I want to make this crockpot Mac and cheese so bad, but I have someone who has a gluten allergy and another who is a vegetarian.
Thank you for your help
The broth and they cream of chicken are very different in consistency. You would likely need to find something that is a creamier texture to substitute.
Can regular mustard be used I don’t have any powdered at the moment
In that case I would just leave out the mustard.
Has anyone tried subbing the mayo out for this recipe? Both of my kids are allergic to egg, so mayo is a no go in our house! I want to try it because Mac and cheese in the crockpot would be heaven sent for us!
I made this tonight and my daughter and I loved it! So easy and so satisfying! I added some cream cheese to it for my own twist but I think it would have been great without it.
So glad you loved it!
these recipes look so yummy…..thank you for the printed recipe…will definitely make these.. :)
Enjoy!
Hi Holly, This looks absolutely delicious and cannot wait to try it when I’m done juicing. Just wanted to let you know that on the recipe it states that cook time is 2 minutes, I know it’s 2 hours, but it may confuse others. lol
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. I’ve updated the post. I hope you enjoy it!
Can you double this recipe? Great idea for football spaghetti dinner but need at least double this amount!
You can double it depending on slow cooker size (you would need at least a 6QT slow cooker and will likely need to give it a stir in the middle of cooking).