Macaroni and cheese. It's the ultimate comfort food, isn't it? You know what's not comforting about it? Spending the time making it. While there are really just two components to this dish - macaroni and cheese - they need to be prepared perfectly, and separately, before coming together to bake in the oven. BUT. With just a few simple ingredients, you can prepare an ooey gooey mac and cheese in your slow cooker and, if you didn't know better, swear it had just come out of the oven.
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
4-6
5 minutes
1 hour, 30 minutes
1 hour, 35 minutes
2 cups macaroni pasta
2 cups water
1½ teaspoon salt
1½ teaspoon corn starch
2 tablespoons butter cut into small cubes
¼ cup cream cheese
¼ cup parmesan (powdered)
1 cup colby jack or monterey
1½ cup sharp cheddar
Add macaroni into a 6-quart slow cooker, then sprinkle corn starch on top and mix so that each noodle is lightly coated.
In a separate bowl, mix water and cream cheese, using the back of a spoon to push cream cheese and spread it into water. Mix until fully incorporated then add into slow cooker.
Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Evenly spread out using the back of a spoon.
Cook on high for 1 hour 10 minutes then stir.
Continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes (depending on how creamy you want it) then stir.
Serve and be happy you didn't have to do much.
To make this macaroni and cheese a heartier meal, or just put your own spin on it, add cooked ham or chicken, bell peppers, mushrooms, or anything else you think would be delicious with noodles and a rich cream sauce!
Note: All slow cookers are a little bit different in temperature and calibration. This recipe was tested in Cooktop Cove's Test Kitchen using this slow cooker, which is available for purchase here. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which help support our website. 