Sweet & Savory Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese Recipe by Pioneer Woman

Slow cooker mac and cheese whisks you into a world of creamy, comforting bliss that redefines pasta perfection.

Imagine cheese cascading through tender macaroni, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Multiple cheese varieties mingle, transforming simple ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience.

Each spoonful promises a velvety embrace that melts effortlessly with rich, tangy notes.

This recipe demolishes the myth that incredible meals demand hours of kitchen labor.

No fancy techniques or culinary degrees needed – just a slow cooker and a passion for seriously delectable comfort food.

You’ll want to dive fork-first into this irresistible cheesy masterpiece that promises to become your new dinnertime champion.

How to Make Mac And Cheese in the Crockpot

Cook Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

• Prep Your Slow Cooker Wonderland

Toss all your cheesy ingredients directly into the slow cooker. Break butter into tiny pieces to help it melt smoothly. Give everything a good mix so all flavors can dance together and create magic.

• Launch Pasta Adventure

Cover your slow cooker and set it to high heat. Let the pasta swim and soak in all those delicious liquids for about 30 minutes. This is where the flavor transformation begins.

• Check Pasta Perfection

Peek inside and stir thoroughly. Make sure no pasta is clinging to the bottom. The pasta should feel almost tender but not completely soft. If it needs more time, let it cook for another 10-25 minutes.

• Cheese Melting Magic

Start dropping cubed American cheese over the pasta. Gently fold with a spatula, watching the cheese transform into a silky blanket covering every pasta curve. Add sharp cheddar and smoked gouda in stages, stirring until each batch melts completely.

• Final Touch and Serve

Give your mac and cheese a final loving stir. If the sauce looks too thick, splash in a bit of milk to reach that dreamy, creamy consistency. Scoop directly from the slow cooker and enjoy immediately. For an extra pop, sprinkle some fresh herbs or a dash of paprika on top.

Cheesy Tips for Creamy Mac And Cheese

• Customize Cheese Blends: Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère, monterey jack, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Spice It Up: Add diced jalapeños, roasted green chiles, or a dash of hot sauce for those who love a spicy kick in their mac and cheese.
• Make It Crispy: Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs or crushed buttery crackers on top before serving to add a delightful crunchy texture that contrasts with the creamy pasta.
• Protein Power-Up: Fold in cooked crispy bacon bits, diced ham, pulled chicken, or browned ground beef to transform this dish into a more substantial meal that satisfies hearty appetites.

Serving Mac And Cheese Family Style

• Pair with Crisp Salad: Serve alongside a light, tangy green salad with vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy mac and cheese.
• Top with Crunchy Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle toasted panko or herbed breadcrumbs on top for an extra texture contrast and delightful crunch.
• Create Protein-Packed Side: Add grilled chicken strips, crispy bacon bits, or pulled pork to transform the dish into a more substantial meal.
• Enhance with Fresh Herbs: Garnish with chopped chives, parsley, or green onions to bring a fresh, bright touch to the cheesy comfort food.

Best Ways to Store Mac And Cheese Leftovers

• Preserve Pasta Perfection: Storage Strategies
• Refrigerate leftover mac and cheese in airtight containers within two hours of cooking. Cool completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Maximize Freshness: Refrigeration Recommendations
• Store creamy mac and cheese in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Place in coldest part of refrigerator to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Revive Refrigerated Delights: Reheating Techniques
• Restore creamy consistency by adding splash of milk when reheating. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to prevent scorching. Alternatively, warm gently in oven at 350°F, covered with foil to retain moisture.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Long-Term Storage
• Freeze mac and cheese in freezer-safe containers for up to two months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating. Slightly undercook pasta initially to prevent mushiness during freezing and reheating process.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: Choose high-quality, sturdy pasta that holds its shape during slow cooking.
• Whole Milk: Select fresh, full-fat milk for rich, creamy texture.

• Evaporated Milk, Heavy Cream: Opt for organic versions for deeper, smoother flavor profile.

• Unsalted Butter: Select high-fat European-style butter for superior taste.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground pepper and coarse sea salt for vibrant seasoning.
• Paprika, Cayenne Pepper: Choose smoked paprika for extra depth and fresh cayenne for subtle heat.

• American Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Smoked Gouda Cheese: Select well-aged cheeses from local dairies for complex, robust flavor. Ensure cheeses are at room temperature for smooth melting.

Slow Cooker Tools for Cheesy Macaroni

• Slow cooker (6 to 8-quart): Perfect for easy, hands-off mac and cheese cooking.
• Rubber spatula: Helps gently fold and mix cheese without damaging pasta.
• Cutting board: Useful for cutting butter and cheese into small pieces.
• Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate liquid and ingredient measurements.
• Measuring spoons: Helps precisely add spices like salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Cheese grater (optional): Helpful for shredding additional cheese if needed.

Hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese delivers comfort in a bowl with rich, melted cheese and tender pasta. Hearty ingredients merge into a classic comfort dish you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box (16 oz / 453 g) elbow macaroni
• 1 bag (8 oz / 227 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
• ¼ lb (4 oz / 113 g) American cheese, cubed
• 2 ½ cups whole milk, plus extra for serving
• 1 can (12 oz / 340 g) evaporated milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 4 tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 1/8 tsp cayenne

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Generously coat the interior of a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray, then layer uncooked elbow macaroni across the base to create an even foundation.
2. Liquid Foundation: Pour whole milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream over the pasta, ensuring complete coverage. Distribute cubed unsalted butter uniformly across the surface, then season with kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Gently integrate all components to form a cohesive liquid base.
3. Initial Cooking Cycle: Secure the slow cooker lid and set to high temperature. Allow the mixture to simmer undisturbed for 30 minutes, permitting the pasta to gradually absorb the creamy liquid and develop initial tenderness.
4. Cheese Integration: After 30 minutes, evaluate pasta consistency and stir thoroughly. When pasta approaches al dente, introduce cubed American cheese, folding gently to initiate melting. Progressively add shredded sharp cheddar and smoked gouda in three distinct stages, stirring meticulously between additions to ensure smooth incorporation and prevent cheese clustering.
5. Final Refinement: Assess sauce consistency, supplementing with additional milk if the mixture appears overly dense. Perform a comprehensive final stir to guarantee uniform cheese distribution and optimal creaminess. Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with a delicate sprinkle of paprika or finely chopped fresh herbs for enhanced visual and flavor dimension.

Notes

• Milk Ratio Matters: Use a precise blend of whole milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream to create a rich, creamy base that prevents pasta from drying out.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheeses gradually and stir between additions to ensure smooth melting and prevent clumping, creating a silky uniform sauce.
• Temperature Control: Cook on high heat initially, then monitor pasta tenderness carefully to avoid overcooking, checking every 10 minutes for perfect texture.
• Consistency Adjustment: Keep extra milk on hand to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick, allowing you to achieve the ideal creamy mac and cheese texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg