Jan's Favorite Slow Cooker Mac Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Jan's Favorite Slow Cooker Mac Cheese—a rich, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy dish that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or a cozy night in. This effortless recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a decadent blend of sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, cream cheese, and parmesan, all slow-cooked to velvety perfection. The addition of evaporated milk and whole milk creates an ultra-smooth texture, while a hint of smoked paprika adds a subtle, smoky depth of flavor. With minimal prep time and the convenience of a slow cooker, this mac and cheese is as easy as it is delicious. Serve it warm as a main course or a crowd-pleasing side dish, and watch it become an instant household favorite.
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Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
Directions
Step 1
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes to keep the pasta firm. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
Grease the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick spray or a light coating of butter to prevent sticking.
Step 3
In the slow cooker, add the cooked macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, whole milk, sharp cheddar cheese, mild cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese.
Step 4
Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika evenly over the top.
Step 5
Gently stir all the ingredients together to combine, but be careful not to overmix or break up the macaroni.
Step 6
Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the cheese melts evenly and everything is well combined.
Step 7
Check the mac and cheese after 1.5 hours. If it’s creamy and fully melted, it’s ready to serve. If it needs more time, continue cooking for another 15-30 minutes.
Step 8
Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of smoked paprika or additional shredded cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1962.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 5138.4 |
| Total Fat 270.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 166.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g | |
| Cholesterol 853.6mg | 0% |
| Sodium 6974.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 433.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 16.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 83.0g | |
| Protein 245.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 594.9IU | 0% |
| Calcium 5590.5mg | 0% |
| Iron 21.2mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2506.3mg | 0% |
Source of Calories