Are you yearning for that perfect bowl of macaroni and cheese? We don’t mean the kind that comes from a box, but a genuinely indulgent, rich, and velvety smooth pasta dish that feels like a warm hug. What if we told you that you could achieve this comfort food masterpiece with very little effort, using just your slow cooker? Well, it’s absolutely possible! We’re thrilled to share our ultimate Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe, which is a true game-changer for family meals, gatherings, and quiet nights at home.

This is more than just a recipe; it’s our tried-and-tested method for creating the creamiest, most flavourful mac and cheese you’ve ever tasted, without having to stand over the hob. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, gently melting the cheeses into a sublime sauce while cooking the pasta to perfection. It’s time to say farewell to lumpy sauces and welcome pure, cheesy comfort. If you appreciate straightforward pasta dishes that pack a flavourful punch, you may also love our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe, another fantastic weeknight choice!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Easy: This is a wonderfully hands-off recipe. You just need to combine the ingredients and let your slow cooker perform its magic. It is the very definition of an easy mac and cheese that tastes as if you’ve spent hours preparing it.
• Unbelievably Creamy Texture: Our chosen blend of cheeses, evaporated milk, and cream cheese works together to create a sauce that is luxuriously smooth and guaranteed not to become grainy or split. This is the secret to achieving that perfect cheese pull every time.
• No Need to Boil the Pasta: That’s correct! The macaroni cooks directly within the sauce, absorbing all the delicious, cheesy flavour as it becomes tender. This one-pot approach means less washing up and a more infused taste.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re after a simple weeknight supper, a standout side for a Sunday roast, or a crowd-pleasing dish for a potluck, this recipe is your new essential. It’s a certified hit with both kids and grown-ups.
• Completely Customisable: We’ve shared the perfect base recipe, but we encourage you to make it your own! You can easily switch up the cheeses, add some crispy bacon, or top it with toasted breadcrumbs for a delightful crunch. The options are limitless.

Ingredients

• dried macaroni
• whole milk
• evaporated milk
• full-fat cream cheese
• unsalted butter
• Dijon mustard
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• smoked paprika
• black pepper
• mature cheddar cheese
• Gruyère cheese

To prepare this magnificent dish, you will require a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients. We always recommend using full-fat dairy to achieve the richest and creamiest possible results. Here is what you will need to gather:

• 450g (1 lb) dried macaroni or other short pasta shapes
• 700ml (3 cups) whole milk
• 350ml (1 can) evaporated milk
• 225g (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese, cubed
• 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 350g (3.5 cups) mature cheddar cheese, grated
• 150g (1.5 cups) Gruyère cheese, grated

How to Make the Creamiest Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

This recipe is wonderfully straightforward. The most important part is adding the grated cheeses right at the end to keep the sauce perfectly silky. Follow these simple steps for a flawless slow cooker mac and cheese every single time.

1. Combine the Base Ingredients: In the pot of your slow cooker (a 5-6 quart model is ideal), add the uncooked macaroni, whole milk, evaporated milk, cubed cream cheese, cubed butter, Dijon mustard, and all the powders and seasonings.
2. Stir Everything Together: Give all the ingredients a thorough stir, making sure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquids and the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
3. Cook on Low: Secure the lid and set your slow cooker to the LOW setting for 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Cooking times can differ between models, so we suggest checking the pasta after 90 minutes. You’re looking for an ‘al dente’ texture—cooked through with a slight bite. Avoid using the high setting, as this can cause the milk to curdle and the pasta to turn mushy.
4. Add the Cheeses: Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, turn off the slow cooker. Now, add the grated mature cheddar and Gruyère cheeses. Stir continuously until the cheese has completely melted into the sauce, creating a gloriously creamy and unified mixture.
5. Rest and Serve: Allow the mac and cheese to sit with the lid on for about 10 minutes. This resting period lets the sauce thicken up beautifully. Give it one last stir, and then serve immediately. A little garnish of extra paprika or fresh parsley is a lovely touch.

Top Tips for the Perfect Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

To ensure your mac and cheese is the very best it can be, simply keep these helpful tips in mind.

• Grate Your Own Cheese: This is our number one tip for success! Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents like potato starch, which can stop it from melting smoothly and may lead to a grainy sauce. Buying blocks of cheese and grating them yourself only takes a moment and makes a world of difference to the final texture. For more on this, the BBC Good Food guide to melting cheeses is an excellent resource.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep a close watch on your pasta, particularly the first time you make this recipe. Slow cooker temperatures can vary, so checking it at the 90-minute point is essential. Overcooked, mushy pasta is the biggest foe of a great mac and cheese!
• Use Full-Fat Ingredients: For the creamiest and most indulgent sauce, be sure to use full-fat whole milk, cream cheese, and butter. This is a classic comfort food pasta, so it’s not the time to be cutting back on richness!
• Stir Midway: If you have a moment, giving the mixture a quick stir about halfway through the cooking time will help prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot and ensures an even cook.

Delicious Variations to Try

While our classic recipe is heavenly on its own, it also acts as a fantastic canvas for your own culinary experiments. Here are a few ideas to get your creativity flowing:

• Bacon and Chive: Just before serving, stir through some crispy, crumbled bacon and freshly chopped chives for a savoury and smoky flavour enhancement.
• Spicy Jalapeño Popper: Add some chopped pickled jalapeños and a dash of their brine along with the cheeses for a fiery kick. Top with bacon and toasted breadcrumbs for the ultimate experience.
• Gourmet Three-Cheese: For a different flavour dimension, swap the Gruyère for smoked Gouda or Fontina. A little Parmesan stirred in at the end also adds a wonderful nutty, salty note.
• Broccoli and Cheddar: Add some small, steamed broccoli florets during the final 30 minutes of cooking to create a classic flavour pairing and add a touch of green.

What to Serve with Your Mac and Cheese

This homemade creamy mac and cheese is certainly hearty enough to be a main course, served perfectly with a simple green salad or some steamed greens. At the same time, it shines as a side dish. It is a wonderful accompaniment to roasted meats, grilled chicken, or even pulled pork. For an easy and flavourful main that complements the rich sauce, we highly recommend pairing it with our Baked Ranch Chicken. The combination is pure comfort on a plate!

FAQ

The Only Mac and Cheese Recipe You’ll Ever Need

So there you have it—our simple, foolproof, and utterly delicious Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe. It’s the type of dish that brings everyone to the table, creating warm memories and satisfying the biggest of comfort food cravings. It just goes to show that you don’t need complicated techniques to create spectacular food. All you need are a few quality ingredients and a reliable slow cooker.

We’re confident that once you try this recipe, it will become a firm favourite in your collection. So, why not give it a go this week? When you do, we would love to hear how it turned out for you. Please leave a comment and a rating below to share your experience with our community. Happy cooking!

Recipe Card

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 1.5 – 2.5 hours
Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 450g (1 lb) dried macaroni
• 700ml (3 cups) whole milk
• 350ml (1 can) evaporated milk
• 225g (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese, cubed
• 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 350g (3.5 cups) mature cheddar cheese, grated
• 150g (1.5 cups) Gruyère cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Combine macaroni, milk, evaporated milk, cream cheese, butter, mustard, and seasonings in the slow cooker. Stir to submerge pasta.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 1.5 – 2.5 hours, until pasta is al dente. Check after 90 minutes.
3. Turn off heat. Stir in the grated cheddar and Gruyère until completely melted and smooth.
4. Let rest, covered, for 10 minutes for the sauce to thicken. Stir again and serve hot.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 725, Carbs: 51 g, Protein: 32 g, Fat: 43 g