Description
Bobby Flay’s crock pot mac and cheese delivers creamy comfort with bold southwestern flavors. Professional chefs and home cooks alike will savor this irresistible dish that elevates classic comfort cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 16 oz (454 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 oz (227 g) velveeta cheese, cubed
- 2 cups (480 ml) half and half
- 12 oz (340 g) evaporated milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 6 tbsps (85 g) butter, cubed
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly coat the interior of a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
- Pasta Cooking: Cook pasta until achieving al dente consistency, then drain completely using a colander.
- Initial Mixing: Transfer drained pasta into the slow cooker and fold in butter until fully melted and evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
- Cheese Fusion: Combine condensed milk, half-and-half, whole milk, cheddar cheese, Velveeta, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until smooth and homogeneous, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Slow Cooking: Secure the lid and set the slow cooker to low heat, allowing the mac and cheese to develop rich, complex flavors for several hours.
- Finishing Touch: During the final cooking phase, sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top, creating a golden, crispy cheese crust that adds textural contrast.
- Serving and Storage: Transfer to warm setting for serving, and store any remaining mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Generously spray the slow cooker with cooking spray to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
- Achieve Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook pasta al dente before adding to the slow cooker, preventing mushy or overly soft mac and cheese.
- Create Smooth Cheese Sauce: Whisk milk and cheese thoroughly to eliminate lumps and guarantee a creamy, silky texture throughout the dish.
- Optimize Serving Temperature: Keep mac and cheese warm after cooking to maintain its delicious consistency and prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg