can you cook Mac N Cheese in a crockpot?

[sbp]

We are going to a potluck Christmas party tomorrow at 11 am and I want to bring something that I know my kids will eat since there's going to be who knows what there. My big problem is that we have ds1's first basketball practice tomorrow morning at 10 and then have to rush rush to get to the party because the big man in Red is going to be there.

I'm not motivated enough in the morning to get up to pop together a pan of mac & cheese into the oven, and even if I was, it would be cold when we got to the party.

is it at all possible to cook mac and cheese in a crockpot? I know I couldn't do it too much ahead of time because the pasta would just bloat up to be mushy flavorless slop but maybe I could toss everything in the crock tomorrow morning sometime and it would be ok at 11?

PLEASE HELP!!!

[XUfan]

I haven't done it myself...but here are some recipes:
Cooks.com - Recipes - Crock Pot Macaroni Cheese

[disneyrocks]

I'm so glad you brought this up. I was just asking my mom for a recipe today but she hadn't tried it. My friend does it but I don't know the steps.

[sbp]

anyone with a tried and true recipe? I'd hate to just pick one from that link, undoubtedly I'd pick one that tastes horrible, at least with me cooking it! lol

[ecj98]

I don't have my exact recipe right here, but maybe you can find one similar. It uses 8 oz pasta, 1 can evaporated milk, about 1.5 cups of milk, and 2-3 c shredded cheddar.

[lalanpnut]

Oh heck yeah, I know this is late, but my neighbor actually does this for work parties...she pre-cooks the macaroni, then puts in a whole brick of cheddar cheese, shredded, a cup of milk, and lets it simmer for 8 hours...actually pretty good for something that you don't think will work!!

[clarkestep]

I've got a yummy one, though I am late.

1/2 lb elbow macaroni
12oz can evaporated milk
1.5c milk
2 eggs
4c shredded shapr cheddar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Cook macaroni and drain. Mix it together with all the other ingredients. Coat the crock with Pam and transfer the mixture into the crock. Cook on low 5-6 hours. Don't remove cover or stir until totally set in the middle.


I made this for Thanksgiving. I did it in the oven though. I mixed everything together the night before in a baking dish and cooked the next day. Most of the liquid absorbed into the mac, which was fine. I baked at 350 for about an hour. Next time I will half the milk to hurry the cooking time.

[sahmom]

OK I know this is late but this is a tried and true recipe that I make all the time. It is a little expensive but you can save money by of course shredding the cheese yourself.

1 pound macaroni or spirals
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 stick butter, cut in pieces
2 cups half and half
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I like to use a combination of sharp cheddar, montery jack and colby)

Spray crockpot with non stick cooking spray. Set it to high.

Cook macaroni according to package directions (I leave a little al dente since it is cooking in the crockpot also). While macaroni is cooking melt the butter in the crockpot, add the soup and half and half and mix. Add cooked macaroni and stir in shredded cheese. I normally start this on high for about 30 minutes then turn to low for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours stirring occasionally. You will know when it done once the cheese is melted and it has thickened. Sometimes I add cut up kielbasa to this when it is just for my family. However picky eaters don't seem to like it this way since it tends to take on some of the taste of the kielbasa.
Hope this helps!
Judy