Perfect for potlucks and for making ahead, this Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese is sure to please even the pickiest palate!

What kid doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? What adult, for that matter, doesn’t love macaroni and cheese?! People LOVE Mac N’ Cheese—it’s a proven fact. That yummy, cheesy, cozy side dish is increasingly becoming the main dish for a lot of meals. Add a veggie side to this Crock Pot Mac N’ Cheese and you’re good to go!

Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Although there’s nothing wrong with Mac N’ Cheese from a box—and everyone who has kids probably has a stockpile of boxed mac in their pantry!—there’s definitely something to be said for homemade macaroni and cheese.

It’s creamier, cheesier, and all-around irresistible, but it’s also a pain to make with the roux and the baking. That’s where this Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe comes in. It’s a cinch!

While I came up with this recipe as a weeknight meal for my family, it’s also easy to scale up when you need to feed a crowd. It’s perfect for a holiday side dish or serving as part of a Game Day spread.

You can even make Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese for a Mac N’ Cheese bar! Set out a bunch of different topping options and let people customize their bowls.

(Want to try another version of mac and cheese? You’ll love my Southern Baked Mac and Cheese too!)

ingredients to make crock pot macaroni and cheese

Ingredients

  • Uncooked elbow macaroni
  • Dry mustard
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Butter
  • Sour cream
  • Condensed cheddar cheese soup
  • Sharp cheddar or colby jack cheese
  • Whole milk

Substitutions

Cheese – For a little bit of a kick, use pepper jack cheese.

Cheddar cheese soup – Use condensed broccoli cheese soup or nacho cheese soup for a different flavor.

Macaroni – You can use rotini, cavatappi, or shells instead of elbow noodles if you prefer, like my Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese.

steps to make crock pot macaroni and cheese

How to Make Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese

  1. Make the noodles – Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente (about 7 minutes), then drain well.
  2. Make the cheese sauce – In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and cheese until the cheese melts. Stir in the sour cream, soup, dry mustard, salt, and pepper.
  3. Transfer to slow cooker – Once the sauce is smooth, add the drained macaroni and milk. Stir to coat, then transfer the Mac N’ Cheese to the crock pot. Cover and set the crock pot to warm. Stir occasionally until you’re ready to eat.

Hint

For a baked Mac N’ Cheese effect, you can toast breadcrumbs in a skillet with butter, then sprinkle them over the Mac N’ Cheese after ladling it into bowls or onto plates.

 

Variations

Tex-Mex – Use nacho cheese soup and pepper jack cheese; fold in drained Ro-Tel tomatoes and chiles before serving and top with crumbled tortilla chips.

Pulled Pork Mac – Make pulled pork in a separate slow cooker and top each portion of Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese with it.

Broccoli Mac – Use broccoli cheese soup; stir frozen broccoli florets into the cheese sauce with the pasta. 

Loaded Mac – Ladle the Mac N’ Cheese into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.

Cheeseburger Mac – Brown ground beef in a skillet; drain off the fat and stir into the Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese with a can of Ro-Tel, then top with toasted breadcrumbs and sliced green onions.

FAQs

What is the best cheese for Mac N’ Cheese?

Cheddar is always the classic choice for Mac N’ Cheese, but that doesn’t mean you can’t switch things up! Don’t be afraid to experiment with other cheeses you like or happen to have on hand.

How do you keep Mac N’ Cheese hot?

This is the best method of making Mac N’ Cheese if you want to keep it warm for a while! With Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese, you’ll leave the mac in the slow cooker at a low temperature so it stays hot for as long as you need it to.

Top Tip

If the sauce thickens in the slow cooker, you can add more milk to make it smooth and creamy again.

If you’re looking for more….try these recipes next!

Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Perfect for pot-lucks and for making ahead – this Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese is sure to please even the pickiest palette!
No ratings yet
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients  

  • 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1/2 sour cream
  • 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup 10 3/4 oz
  • 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese or colby jack cheese
  • 1 cup whole milk

Instructions 

  • Boil the macaroni in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain.
  • In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.
  • Add the sour cream, soup, dry mustard, salt, and pepper – stir until well combined.
  • Add drained macaroni and milk and stir again.
  • Place Mac N’ Cheese in the crock pot set on the warm setting, stirring occasionally until ready to serve.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

Comments

  1. sounds delish! yep gonna try but ….this is made on the stove. it becomes a crock pot meal because after you cook it on the stove you transfer it to a crock pot to stay warm??hmmmm maybe change the name.

  2. I just made this, first off it was so easy and secondly its delicious. Didn’t even use the crockpot, ate it immediately after preparing. I added a little bit of pressed garlic which gave it some zip for all those garlic lovers out there.

  3. That sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it after I finish my Clean program next week. I’m missing cheese… (here’s to hoping I’m not lactose intolerant). Check out http://rawobjectivism.com to see updates on my progress in Clean. (I could use the encouragement).

  4. Looks so yummy 🙂 I’ll try this the next time I make Mac N’ Cheese, thanks 🙂

  5. Thanks everyone! Let me know if you try it out!

  6. GOD that looks AMAZING!

  7. Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says:

    Love the sour cream addition. Will have to try that.

  8. You’re a genius! Love me some mac n’ cheese!

    1. Macaroni and Cheese is the best meal for my nephews!~$^ sometimes i put tomoto inside so they will eat veg as well…

  9. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says:

    Oh this just looks so easy and delicious!!

  10. Oh yum, sour cream should be in more recipes

    1. I agree! Sour cream makes EVERYTHING better! haha!!

  11. Marie Nelson says:

    I don’t see sour cream in any of the ingredients. How much do I add?

    1. HI Marie – it’s a 1/2 cup. It’s in there now. Thanks for catching that!

  12. I HIGHLY recommend using a combo of flagship and jack cheese from Beechers as the cheeses in this. The mac and cheese was on Oprah’s favorite things and opted to just get the cheeses and make it myself to make it more healthy. I use 100% whole grain pasta and low fat milk and then the cheeses. nom, nom

    1. GREAT tips, Hope. I’ve heard that Beechers is really, really good! I’ll have to try it for sure!

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