Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food that everyone will want a scoop of. For mac and cheese that’s more hands-off than our stovetop mac and can be kept warm more easily than baked mac and cheese, the crockpot is your best friend.

Using a mix of sharp cheddar and creamy Gouda, this slow-cooked mac and cheese has all the rich, melty goodness you crave with practically no effort. The pasta stays perfectly tender, the sauce turns silky and luscious, and the flavors really start to meld and deepen as everything cooks low and slow.

Best of all, you can serve it straight from the slow cooker, making it the perfect option for holidays, game day spreads, or weeknight dinners when you need something cozy and satisfying without having to hover over the stove.

How to Make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

Process

1. Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and a small handful of salt. Bring back to a boil and cook until slightly under al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain.
2. Pour macaroni into a 4 quart slow cooker and top with remaining ingredients.

3. Stir to combine. Cover and set slow cooker to low. Cook for 1 1/2 hours, uncovering every 30 minutes to thoroughly stir. After 1 1/2 hours turn slow cooker off, adjust salt and pepper as needed, stir and serve.

Why We Love this Crock Pot Recipe

• The combination of cheddar and Gouda cheese creates a perfect mix of sharp tang and nutty sweetness for a complex and delicious flavor.
• After only 15 minutes of prep time, you can let the slow cooker do the work, with just the occasional stir to keep everything combined. The high amount of hands-off time is perfect for getting ready or preparing other food before a party!
• Save your dishes and serve it straight from the slow cooker at home, kept on warm, or transfer to a warming dish so even the last scoop is as melty and decadent as the first.
• By keeping the ingredients and flavors simple, kids and adults will be going back for seconds.
• While macaroni and cheese is a holiday party must-have, this recipe is so versatile that you can meal prep it for the week, make a batch for a game-day spread, or take it to a potluck.

Best Cheese(s) to use for Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

The type of cheese you use really drives the flavor and texture of this dish. We recommend always shredding the cheese yourself to avoid grittiness caused by non-caking additives often found in pre-shredded cheese.

Use any of the following cheeses (or a combination of cheeses) for the best macaroni and cheese:

• Sharp cheddar: Medium or extra sharp for a bold flavor.
• Gouda: You’ll get a hint of nuttiness and sweetness, and if you use smoked gouda, a nice mild smoky flavor that adds tons of depth to the recipe.
• Gruyère: Mellow, nutty, and super creamy when melted.
• Mozzarella: A mild flavor that gives the macaroni a stretchy, melty texture. Avoid high-moisture mozzarella, though, as it can make the mixture more watery than creamy.
• Parmesan: We don’t recommend using Parmesan as your main cheese, but a handful sprinkled in will give it a boost of sharp, umami flavor.
• Havarti: A buttery flavor that’s extra creamy when melted.

Variations for Our Recipe

As is, this recipe is creamy and flavorful, but you can easily adapt it for a fun twist, to use what you have on hand, or to boost its nutritional value. Here are some ideas for inspiration:

• Make it smoky by swapping the Gouda for smoked Gouda or adding a bit of chipotle cheddar cheese or smoked paprika.
• For a meal-in-one, stir in proteins like roasted chicken, pulled pork, or crumbled sausage.
• Add steamed broccoli, roasted cauliflower, sauteed spinach, or frozen peas to give this mac and cheese a boost of nutrition and flavor.
• Make it Tex-Mex by adding black beans, corn, and diced green chilis.
• Give this mac and cheese a spicy kick by stirring a few tablespoons of buffalo sauce into the mix and serving it with ranch or blue cheese drizzled or crumbled on top.

Reheating Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Slow cooker mac and cheese is best served fresh, but can be easily saved and enjoyed for up to 4 days throughout the week. Here’s how to revive your leftover mac and cheese:

• In the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish, stir in a splash of milk or cream, cover with foil, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until hot and creamy.
• On the stove: Add leftovers to a saucepan with a splash of milk or cream. Heat the mac over low to medium-low, stirring often, until warmed through. Add more milk as needed to return it to a creamy texture.
• In the microwave: Place mac and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl with a spoonful of milk or cream. Cover loosely with a microwave-safe cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until hot and creamy.
• Back in the crock pot: You can reheat your mac and cheese in the same crockpot it was cooked in. Add a splash of milk, cover, and heat on low for 30 to 90 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Just avoid leaving it on “warm” for too long, as the pasta can get mushy.)

What to Serve with Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

While you can easily call a bowl of mac and cheese dinner, it’s even better when served with these favorites:

Main Dishes:

• BBQ Baby Back Ribs
• Pulled Pork Sandwiches
• Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
• Salmon
• Dry-Brined Turkey
• Roast Beef

Other Sides:

• Broccoli Salad
• Roasted Green Beans
• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
• Simple Side Salad
• Garlic Bread
• Buttermilk cornbread

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