Creamy Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
This creamy crock pot mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food—rich, velvety, and loaded with cheesy flavor. It’s easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed, room temperature
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup cottage cheese, small-curd, blended smooth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Cube the cream cheese. Blend the cottage cheese until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, whole milk, and melted butter. Add blended cottage cheese and cubed cream cheese, whisking until mostly smooth.
- Stir in salt, black pepper, mustard powder, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
- Pour uncooked elbow macaroni into the crock pot and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded cheeses over the macaroni. Pour the milk mixture on top. Stir gently to ensure pasta is submerged.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 2.5 hours, checking at 1.5 hours. Stir gently every 45 minutes, scraping down the sides.
- If the mixture looks dry, add 1/4 cup milk and stir. If sauce separates or looks oily, stir in a splash of milk and a bit more cream cheese.
- When pasta is tender and sauce is creamy, turn off the crock pot. Stir gently and taste for seasoning.
- Serve hot, straight from the crock pot. Top with extra cheese, breadcrumbs, or chives if desired.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for best results. Don’t overcook—check early to avoid mushy noodles. Blend cottage cheese smooth for a creamy sauce. Gluten-free, lactose-free, and low-carb adaptations are easy. Add veggies or protein for variety. Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (220 g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 640
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 17
Keywords: mac and cheese, crock pot, slow cooker, comfort food, creamy, easy, kid-friendly, potluck, cheese, pasta