This Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac ‘n Cheese is incredibly easy to make and will have you reminiscing about the yummy mac ‘n cheese your grandma used to make. So good!
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Aunt Lou here.
In case you guys haven’t noticed, I like mac ‘n cheese A LOT. I love trying out new recipes or making up my own. Sometimes I am in the mood for a creamy mac ‘n cheese, other times I want a super cheesy one and other times I want one tastes like a baked mac ‘n cheese. So when I saw this Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac ‘n Cheese in Gooseberry Patch’s Everyday Slow Cooker, I knew it was going to be on the menu.
Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac ‘n Cheese Notes:
- If you are a beginner, you can totally cRock this recipe! It is super easy and a great one to try out your crock pot skills on. The one thing to always remember is to watch a recipe closely the first time you make it so that you will know how your particular slow cooker cooks a recipe. Doing this will keep you from over-cooking or under-cooking this recipe and others and will help boost your confidence so that you won’t be intimidated by any recipe!
- I really like the sides to brown up, so I let my Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac ‘n Cheese stay in a little longer than it had to. If you don’t like the browned sides, you can take it out earlier.
- For this yummy recipe, I used my new Hamilton Beach Multi-Quart Slow Cooker on the 4-quart setting. If you don’t have one yet, you can use a 4-5 quart slow cooker.
Old Fashioned Crock Pot Mac 'n Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz pkg elbow macaroni cooked
- 2 eggs beaten
- 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1.5 cups milk
- 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
- Optional: grape tomatoes quartered
Instructions
- Put everything except your tomatoes in a large bowl and gently stir until well combined
- Lightly spray your crock pot with cooking spray
- Pour your mac 'n cheese mixture into your crock pot
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours
- If desired, sprinkle servings with your quartered grape tomatoes
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Has anyone tried to double this recipe? If so, how did it turn out? Thanks in advance
I have not tried doubling the recipe, but if I did, I would use a 6-8 quart crock pot. As for the cooking time, I would start watching it around the 3-4 hour mark. With the larger crock pot size, I would assume the time should be about the same, but watch it closely the first time you make it to adjust the cooking time as needed for your specific slow cooker. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out! Enjoy!
Hey Lou! I was wondering if you and Cris could convert this and other recipes to using uncooked noodles? I love and other recipes you have, but lazy cook that I am I find myself skipping over them and heading to the ones that don’t have to be cooked. Thanks!
Hi Helen!
Using uncooked noodles won’t work for every recipe, but we do have some. I’ll put links below. I hope you find one that you love!
https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/mac-and-cheese/
https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/crock-pot-beefy-mac-casserole/
https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/easy-crock-pot-lasagna-recipe/
https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/crock-pot-cheesy-lasagna/
https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/slow-cooker-lasagna-soup/
https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/the-best-instant-pot-creamy-mac-and-cheese/
My family loves canned tomatoes in Mac and Cheese drained well. Do you think they would work in this recipe?
I haven’t tried that, but think it may work. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
I have to tell you that I first made this recipe 2 years ago for a graduation party and it was a hit! It’s my most-requested side dish.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Also- I have baked it in the oven- takes at least 1.5 – 2 hours at 350 and I always double the recipe because it goes so fast.
I also add one cup of cubed Velveeta cheese to the recipe because We like that in our Mac n cheese
I’m so glad to hear it Kim! Your oven version sounds delicious!
I have made this several times and this is my family’s favorite mac n cheese. The only thing I do differently is combine all the ingredients in large sauce pot and cook on medium until all the cheese melts and the milk products are hot and soupy, then I transfer to the crockpot and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Comes out perfect every time.
I’m so glad to hear this Rachel! Your alteration sounds yummy! Thank you for taking the time to let us know you like it! It always makes our day.
Aunt Lou
Are your noodles cooked when you combine all the ingredients?
When following the receipt the instructions are missing a key instruction. To cook the noodles first. I am a beginner and a step like this would be very helpful. I’m sure with the noodles cooked it’s going to taste great, but if you can go back and add that step the beginners would really appreciate it.
Hi Sara!
If you look in the ingredient list, it has “cooked” after the amount of macaroni needed for the recipe. If something needs to be cooked first, diced, cubed, etc, we will put it in the notes with the ingredients. Hope that helps!
~Aunt Lou
This was easy and TASTED good. However, it did not look good. The cheese sauce was not smooth. Not sure I would use this recipe again because of it.
I’m glad you liked the taste Gwen. Sorry the look was not what you wanted. You might try some of our creamy mac ‘n cheese recipes. They might be more to your fancy. You can find them here: https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/recipe-index/?fwp_search=creamy+mac+cheese
Aunt Lou
Do you cook the noodles first?
Yes Danie. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
Aunt Lou
COULD THIS BE COOKED IN THE OVEN IN A PINCH?
Hi Jennie!
I haven’t tried this in the oven yet, but will be soon. When I have the post up, I will put the link back here.
Aunt Lou
This is amazing mac and cheese! So easy to mix together! Everyone loved it at our holiday dinner!
I’m so happy to hear it Elizabeth! Thank you for taking the time to let us know. Kind comments like yours make my day!
Aunt Lou
I want to make this, but only 8 oz of elbow macaroni is used?
Hi Pam!
Yes, only an 8 oz package or half of a 16 oz package. If you need more, you can double the recipe. However, I would use a 6-8 quart crock pot and watch it closely the first time you make it so you can know the exact timing for your unit.
Enjoy!
Aunt Lou
If I double this recipe how much longer does it need to cook?
Hi Cindy!
I have not tried doubling the recipe, but if I did, I would use a 6-8 quart crock pot. As for the cooking time, I would start watching it around the 3-4 hour mark. With the larger crock pot size, I would assume the time should be about the same, but watch it closely just in case it does need different timing. Let me know how it turns out! Enjoy!
Aunt Lou
I made this for dinner last night to go with our chicken thighs. My hubby could not believe how good it was–and I loved it, too. Thank you for this simple mac and cheese recipe.
Hi Trudy!
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We love hearing when people love the recipes we share! My hubby (as well as me!) was amazed at how good it was too! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Aunt Lou