Macaroni Crock Pot Meal
Perfectly creamy and irresistibly cheesy, this Macaroni Crock Pot Meal is comfort food at its finest—made effortlessly in your slow cooker! Featuring a rich blend of cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan cheeses, along with the velvety smoothness of cream cheese, this dish delivers layers of indulgent flavor in every bite. The uncooked elbow macaroni cooks directly in a decadent mixture of butter, whole milk, and half-and-half, infused with aromatic spices like garlic powder, paprika, and a hint of black pepper. Want a crispy finish? Add a sprinkle of breadcrumbs during the final cooking minutes for a golden, crunchy topping! With minimal prep and no need to boil the pasta separately, this crock pot macaroni and cheese recipe is a time-saving delight, perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or family gatherings.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 4 ounces Cream cheese (cubed, softened)
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Spray the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the crock pot.
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe dish and pour it over the macaroni, stirring to coat.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese to the crock pot.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, half-and-half, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
Pour the milk mixture over the pasta and cheese in the crock pot. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
Cover the crock pot with the lid and set it to low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking.
When the pasta is tender and the cheese sauce is creamy, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top during the last 10 minutes of cooking for a crunchy topping.
Serve the macaroni and cheese warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or chopped parsley for presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
866 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 58.5 g | 75% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.0 g | 180% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 166 mg | 55% | |
| Sodium | 1544 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 42.5 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.3 g | ||
| Protein | 45.6 g | 91% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.3 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 1174 mg | 90% | |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 347 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
