Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac 'n Cheese

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August 13, 2016 By Aunt Lou 28 Comments

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This Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac ‘n Cheese is incredibly easy to make and will have you reminiscing about the yummy mac ‘n cheese your grandma used to make. So good!

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Aunt Lou here.

In case you guys haven’t noticed, I like mac ‘n cheese A LOT. I love trying out new recipes or making up my own. Sometimes I am in the mood for a creamy mac ‘n cheese, other times I want a super cheesy one and other times I want one tastes like a baked mac ‘n cheese. So when I saw this Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac ‘n Cheese in Gooseberry Patch’s Everyday Slow Cooker, I knew it was going to be on the menu.

Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac ‘n Cheese Notes:

If you are a beginner, you can totally cRock this recipe! It is super easy and a great one to try out your crock pot skills on. The one thing to always remember is to watch a recipe closely the first time you make it so that you will know how your particular slow cooker cooks a recipe. Doing this will keep you from over-cooking or under-cooking this recipe and others and will help boost your confidence so that you won’t be intimidated by any recipe!
I really like the sides to brown up, so I let my Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac ‘n Cheese stay in a little longer than it had to. If you don’t like the browned sides, you can take it out earlier.
For this yummy recipe, I used my newHamilton Beach Multi-Quart Slow Cookeron the 4-quart setting. If you don’t have one yet, you can use a 4-5 quart slow cooker.

This recipe is sure to please at the dinner table!

4.99 from 62 votes

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Course: Side

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 -8 servings

Author: Aunt Lou

Ingredients

8 oz pkg elbow macaroni cooked
2 eggs beaten
12 oz can evaporated milk
1.5 cups milk
3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter melted
1 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
Optional: grape tomatoes quartered

Instructions

Put everything except your tomatoes in a large bowl and gently stir until well combined
Lightly spray your crock pot with cooking spray
Pour your mac 'n cheese mixture into your crock pot
Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours
If desired, sprinkle servings with your quartered grape tomatoes

Tried this recipe?Mention @RecipesthatCrock or tag #RecipesthatCrock!

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Comments

Andrea G says
October 24, 2022 at 9:42 pm

Has anyone tried to double this recipe? If so, how did it turn out? Thanks in advance
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  December 9, 2022 at 8:34 pm
  
  I have not tried doubling the recipe, but if I did, I would use a 6-8 quart crock pot. As for the cooking time, I would start watching it around the 3-4 hour mark. With the larger crock pot size, I would assume the time should be about the same, but watch it closely the first time you make it to adjust the cooking time as needed for your specific slow cooker. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out! Enjoy!
Helen says
September 16, 2022 at 10:33 am

Hey Lou! I was wondering if you and Cris could convert this and other recipes to using uncooked noodles? I love and other recipes you have, but lazy cook that I am I find myself skipping over them and heading to the ones that don’t have to be cooked. Thanks!
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  December 9, 2022 at 9:03 pm
  
  Hi Helen!
  Using uncooked noodles won’t work for every recipe, but we do have some. I’ll put links below. I hope you find one that you love!
  https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/mac-and-cheese/
  https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/crock-pot-beefy-mac-casserole/
  https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/easy-crock-pot-lasagna-recipe/
  https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/crock-pot-cheesy-lasagna/
  https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/slow-cooker-lasagna-soup/
  https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/the-best-instant-pot-creamy-mac-and-cheese/
Lauri says
November 24, 2021 at 10:43 am

My family loves canned tomatoes in Mac and Cheese drained well. Do you think they would work in this recipe?
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  November 24, 2021 at 8:48 pm
  
  I haven’t tried that, but think it may work. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Kim says
May 29, 2021 at 12:33 pm

I have to tell you that I first made this recipe 2 years ago for a graduation party and it was a hit! It’s my most-requested side dish.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Also- I have baked it in the oven- takes at least 1.5 – 2 hours at 350 and I always double the recipe because it goes so fast.
I also add one cup of cubed Velveeta cheese to the recipe because We like that in our Mac n cheese
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  June 1, 2021 at 4:30 pm
  
  I’m so glad to hear it Kim! Your oven version sounds delicious!
Rachel says
August 24, 2020 at 12:22 pm

I have made this several times and this is my family’s favorite mac n cheese. The only thing I do differently is combine all the ingredients in large sauce pot and cook on medium until all the cheese melts and the milk products are hot and soupy, then I transfer to the crockpot and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Comes out perfect every time.
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  August 27, 2020 at 1:14 pm
  
  I’m so glad to hear this Rachel! Your alteration sounds yummy! Thank you for taking the time to let us know you like it! It always makes our day.
  Aunt Lou
- Rose says
  November 27, 2020 at 11:58 am
  
  Are your noodles cooked when you combine all the ingredients?
Sara says
June 30, 2020 at 4:23 pm

When following the receipt the instructions are missing a key instruction. To cook the noodles first. I am a beginner and a step like this would be very helpful. I’m sure with the noodles cooked it’s going to taste great, but if you can go back and add that step the beginners would really appreciate it.
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  June 30, 2020 at 5:47 pm
  
  Hi Sara!
  If you look in the ingredient list, it has “cooked” after the amount of macaroni needed for the recipe. If something needs to be cooked first, diced, cubed, etc, we will put it in the notes with the ingredients. Hope that helps!
  ~Aunt Lou
Gwen Dirks says
March 11, 2020 at 9:33 pm

This was easy and TASTED good. However, it did not look good. The cheese sauce was not smooth. Not sure I would use this recipe again because of it.
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  March 18, 2020 at 2:01 pm
  
  I’m glad you liked the taste Gwen. Sorry the look was not what you wanted. You might try some of our creamy mac ‘n cheese recipes. They might be more to your fancy. You can find them here: https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/recipe-index/?fwp_search=creamy+mac+cheese
  Aunt Lou
Danie says
December 24, 2019 at 9:40 pm

Do you cook the noodles first?
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  January 1, 2020 at 5:09 pm
  
  Yes Danie. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
  Aunt Lou
JENNIE NIELSEN says
December 23, 2019 at 7:45 pm

COULD THIS BE COOKED IN THE OVEN IN A PINCH?
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  January 1, 2020 at 5:10 pm
  
  Hi Jennie!
  I haven’t tried this in the oven yet, but will be soon. When I have the post up, I will put the link back here.
  Aunt Lou
Elizabeth Shannon says
November 29, 2019 at 7:22 am

This is amazing mac and cheese! So easy to mix together! Everyone loved it at our holiday dinner!
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  December 4, 2019 at 10:38 am
  
  I’m so happy to hear it Elizabeth! Thank you for taking the time to let us know. Kind comments like yours make my day!
  Aunt Lou
Pam says
June 22, 2019 at 11:49 am

I want to make this, but only 8 oz of elbow macaroni is used?
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  June 25, 2019 at 3:15 pm
  
  Hi Pam!
  Yes, only an 8 oz package or half of a 16 oz package. If you need more, you can double the recipe. However, I would use a 6-8 quart crock pot and watch it closely the first time you make it so you can know the exact timing for your unit.
  Enjoy!
  Aunt Lou
Cindy says
December 8, 2016 at 1:55 pm

If I double this recipe how much longer does it need to cook?
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  December 8, 2016 at 3:03 pm
  
  Hi Cindy!
  I have not tried doubling the recipe, but if I did, I would use a 6-8 quart crock pot. As for the cooking time, I would start watching it around the 3-4 hour mark. With the larger crock pot size, I would assume the time should be about the same, but watch it closely just in case it does need different timing. Let me know how it turns out! Enjoy!
  Aunt Lou
Trudy McFall says
August 31, 2016 at 12:30 pm

I made this for dinner last night to go with our chicken thighs. My hubby could not believe how good it was–and I loved it, too. Thank you for this simple mac and cheese recipe.
Reply
- Aunt Lou says
  August 31, 2016 at 1:46 pm
  
  Hi Trudy!
  Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We love hearing when people love the recipes we share! My hubby (as well as me!) was amazed at how good it was too! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
  Aunt Lou

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Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac 'n Cheese - Recipes That Crock! (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep mac and cheese from burning in a crock pot? ›

Give it a stir.

No need to precook the pasta for creamy crock pot mac and cheese, though it's important to stir everything a few times to ensure it all cooks evenly. This also prevents the noodles from sticking to the bottom or sides and potentially burning.

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How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation

In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
Enjoy!
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May 4, 2023

Show Me More ›

Why does my crock pot mac and cheese curdle? ›

Why does slow cooker mac and cheese curdle? Well, a few different things cause this to happen. Eggs, pre-shredded cheese, and heat can all cause cheese to separate and result in a curdled texture. So, we've got to do a few things to prevent this from happening.

Show Me More ›

How do you keep mac and cheese creamy? ›

If you want a very creamy mac n' cheese, you can add Velveeta processed cheese or American cheese (from the deli) to your melted cheese base mixture. The American cheese provides the creaminess you are looking for, and when reheating the mac n' cheese add a little bit of milk.

Explore More ›

How do you keep mac and cheese from getting stiff? ›

Add more sauce

Plus, the starch from the pasta will thicken the sauce as it bakes too, so you need to initially make the sauce looser than your final desired viscosity. It's also important to not undercook your pasta too much.

Know More ›

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

Cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Fontina, and Gouda cheese are good options.

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.

Tell Me More ›

What are the best 5 cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

Keep Reading ›

Why is my crock pot mac and cheese gritty? ›

If you try to skip ingredients or use low fat ingredients, you run the risk of making it too dry (or grainy, or lacking in flavor). You can also make sure you keep the lid on as much as possible to keep it from getting dry.

What happens if you cook mac and cheese too long? ›

Baking for too long

Baking mac and cheese adds extra cooking time, leading to overcooked pasta and a dried-out sauce.

Discover More Details ›

How to make mac and cheese Gordon Ramsay? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

View Details ›

What can I add to mac n cheese to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners

Add extra cheese to your dish.
Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.

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May 21, 2022

Keep Reading ›

Why do you put eggs in mac and cheese? ›

If you add eggs, it will change the taste and add protein.

Read On ›

How do you keep food from burning in a crock pot? ›

Layer and fold sheets of heavy duty foil until you have a six-layered foil rectangle. Press the collar into the back side of your slow cooker insert (or wherever your hot spot is); the food will help hold the collar in place during cooking.

Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac 'n Cheese - Recipes That Crock! (2024)