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A slow cooker full of creamy crockpot mac and cheese with a wooden spoon lifting a cheesy scoop, sprinkled with paprika and chives

Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Uncooked elbow macaroni cooked low and slow in evaporated milk, whole milk, butter and three cheeses for an ultra-creamy, no-boil mac and cheese.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni uncooked (454 g)
  • 1 can evaporated milk 12 ounces (354 ml)
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk (600 ml), plus more as needed
  • 4 tablespoons butter cut into pieces (57 g)
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika plus more for garnish
  • 4 ounces cream cheese cubed and softened (113 g)
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded (16 ounces, 454 g)
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese freshly shredded (4 ounces, 113 g)
  • chopped chives optional, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Grease the insert of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Add the uncooked macaroni, evaporated milk, whole milk and butter. Stir in the dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper and paprika.
  3. Toss the cheddar and Monterey Jack together. Add the cream cheese and 4 cups of the cheese blend and stir until the pasta is submerged.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
  5. Stir in the remaining 1 cup cheese and a splash of warm milk if needed. Cover for 5 minutes until melted.
  6. Stir, garnish with paprika and chives and serve, or hold on the warm setting for up to 1 hour.

Notes

Cook on low only: High heat can make the sauce grainy and scorch the edges.
Holding: Keep on warm up to 1 hour, stirring in milk as needed.
Storage: Refrigerate 3 to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat to 165°F (74°C) with a splash of milk.
Nutrition is an estimate per serving.