Description
Creamy Southern-style Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese delivers pure comfort with its rich, cheesy goodness. Southern kitchens shine through this hearty dish, inviting you to savor classic flavors that warm both heart and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses:
- 2.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 0.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Dairy and Eggs:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 0.5 cups sour cream
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dry mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni until just tender, approximately 4-5 minutes, ensuring a slightly firm texture. Carefully drain the pasta and set it aside, allowing excess water to drip away.
- Prepare the slow cooker by thoroughly coating the interior with a thin layer of butter or applying a light nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Create a smooth, rich base by whisking together whole milk, evaporated milk, sour cream, melted butter, eggs, and a carefully balanced blend of salt, pepper, paprika, and dry mustard directly inside the slow cooker.
- Gently incorporate the pre-cooked macaroni into the creamy mixture, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated. Gradually fold in the shredded cheese varieties, stirring continuously to distribute them uniformly throughout the dish.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and set the temperature to low. Allow the mac and cheese to simmer slowly, stirring at intervals to prevent cheese from sticking and to promote even melting and creamy consistency.
- After 2-3 hours, verify the mac and cheese has reached a luxurious, velvety texture. Give a final gentle stir to blend any remaining unmelted cheese and ensure a consistent, decadent result before serving hot.
Notes
- Prevent pasta overcooking by boiling just until al dente, ensuring a perfect texture in the final dish.
- Use room temperature eggs to help them blend smoothly into the creamy milk mixture without scrambling.
- Experiment with cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or pepper jack for a personalized flavor profile.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free elbow macaroni and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg