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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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