Does anyone have a good Crockpot Mac & Cheese recipe?

[jonjaktez]

I've always wanted to make crockpot mac and cheese but I can't find a good recipe (without mustard and prefer no evap. milk).

TIA

[jonjaktez]

bump

[bethanyam]

I do mine 2 different ways, depending on what I have on hand, how much I want to spend, and how much time that I have.

1st way
I use about 1 1/2 pounds of large elbow macaroni (a box and half) boiled according to directions.
Drain
Spray crockpot with cooking spray or use a liner
In the macaroni pot/bowl I add some salt, pepper and butter to hot macaroni and mix well. I then layer noodles and cheese in about 3 layers ending with cheese. I love sharp or extra sharp cheddar, but dh and kids like mild, but really use whatever you like. You can use velveeta, but I personally don't like that. I pour about 1 - 2 cups of milk over the top (depending on how "juicy" you like it) and bake on low about 4 hours.

The second way I do it if I'm in a hurry and don't have a lot of cheese is to make about 3 boxes or Kraft DELUXE mac and cheese (or generic brand, I use great value) make according to directions. Dump into a sprayed/lined crockpot. Cover with shredded cheese of your choice. Cook about 2 hours on high, I put mine on warm after 2 hours so that it doesn't stick.

I've tried making "fancy" recipes with toppings or mustard but I just don't like it and when I take either of these to potlucks they are always eaten and my it's the way my kids like it, so I guess that's what counts. I hope that it helps.

[jake1951]

I don't like mac n" cheese but I make it for my family. You can make as little or as much as you need depending on the size of the crock pot ( I have a tiny one). Use 1 cup of uncooked macaroni,1 cup of milk and 12 slices of american cheese. Cook macaroni and drain....add macaroni and some cheese slices, more macaroni and another layer of cheese, more macaroni and slices of cheese.....pour milk on top and cook until creamy. You can adjust the amount down by 4th's or up by 4th's depending on the amount you need

[cintinative]

I'm going to post one now in the Fix it and forget it section.

[hopeky94]

(I could have SWORN I'd posted this recipe on here somewhere in the past but can't find it when I search, so...)

If you prefer the old-fashioned "homemade" mac n cheese over Velveeta and other "fake cheese" varieties-- you'll LOVE this recipe! It's not the prettiest dish in the world when it's done, but the flavor is great... Enjoy!!

No Peek Crockpot Mac N Cheese

1 crockpot liner
8 oz. elbow macaroni (uncooked)
1 container (16 oz.) cottage cheese*
1 stick butter or margarine
2 cups shredded cheese, any variety**
2 cups boiling water

Put liner inside crockpot. Pour in all other ingredients, in the order they are listed. No need to mix; put lid on crockpot, and cook covered on HIGH for 2 1/2 hours. Remove lid, stir, and serve.

*If looks are important (i.e. feeding guests or picky kids), may want to use small curd cottage cheese and/or try to smash up the cottage cheese a bit before cooking. The flavor isn't affected if you don't do this, but it does look pretty lumpy otherwise.

**I typically use a bag of shredded cheese that contains 2 or more varieties, like the "casserole" blend or shredded colby-jack.

[kval07]

Just found this recipe online at crockpot365.blogspot.com. It does have mustard in it, but I guess you could omit it. Haven't made it myself so I don't know how necessary it is to the recipe though.

1/2 pound uncooked macaroni or hearty pasta (I used a 1/2 bag of Trader Joe's Brown Rice fusilli)
--4 cups of milk (I used skim cow's)
--1 egg (Alison's recipe calls for 2. I only had one in the house because we had company over the weekend and they ate all my eggs. Well, Adam cooked them all my eggs. And left the carton in the fridge with only 1 egg in it and didn't write eggs on the list even though I've been to the store numerous times this week and could easily have bought eggs. It's a good thing he's so cute.)
--4 cups shredded cheese (I used all cheddar)
--1/2 t kosher salt
--1/2 t black pepper
--1 tsp dried mustard (edited 8/24: okay. I made a mistake and originally wrote a BIG T which is tablespoon. yet, some people made it with that much mustard and liked it. So use what you'd like. I'm so sorry!)


The Directions.

Spray crock well with cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, whip egg and milk together. Stir in spices.

Add cheese and noodles, and stir well to combine. Pour the mixture into the crockpot.

It will be very liquidy.

Cover and cook on low for 2-5 hours, or on high for 1-3. The cooking time will vary depending on what size crockpot you are using, and how quickly it heats and cooks. I was quite surprised at how quickly our pasta got fork-tender.