Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese

"I saw Paula Deen make this recipe on her Food Network program. I was looking for a really creamy macaroni and cheese recipe, and this is it! I changed it a bit by omitting the eggs (the original recipe calls for three) and boiling the macaroni for six minutes instead of seven, so it doesn't get mushy while cooking in the Crockpot. I also shortened the cooking time from three to two and a half hours. Perfection!"
 
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photo by thecookierookie
photo by Mary B. photo by Mary B.
photo by thecookierookie photo by thecookierookie
photo by TasteTester photo by TasteTester
photo by GiddyUpGo photo by GiddyUpGo
Ready In:
2hrs 45mins
Ingredients:
10
Serves:
4-6
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ingredients

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directions

  • Boil the macaroni in water for six minutes. Drain.
  • In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.
  • In slow cooker, combine cheese mixture and add the eggs (I omitted the eggs), sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper. Add the drained macaroni and stir again.
  • Cook on low for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Questions & Replies

  1. If I have an 8 quart slow cooker how does the recipe change? Do I have to double everything?
     
  2. Why omit the eggs?
     
  3. Just curious, has anyone tried this with lobster meat in it ?
     
  4. Salted butter or unsalted butter? Large elbow macaroni or regular size? Thanks!
     
  5. The recipe says cook for 3 hrs in crockpot but it doesn’t specify high or low setting ? ?
     
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Reviews

  1. there is absolutely no need for dirtying another pot! I boiled the noodles for about 5 minutes, then just mixed everything cold in the crock pot (a double batch), threw it in the fridge overnight and heated it in the morning for a lunch potluck. we haven't eaten yet but I stole a bite and it's AMAZING. gooey, stringy, creamy perfection and not sticking to the pot at all thanks to the butter. I added a chunk of shredded gruyere with the cheddar for a little fondue-y taste, used skim milk, lite sour cream and the stick "ICBINT for baking" (losing the caloric battle with all that cheese, but every little bit helps!), and I also omitted the eggs (because I forgot to buy them). definitely never use bagged shredded cheese in recipes like this - they coat it with an anti-caking agent to prevent sticking together but it also prevents nice creamy melting. this is superb though; try it!
     
  2. After reading a lot of reviews & using some common "cook" sense here's how this turned out suberb! While the noodles were cooking (6 min), I sprayed the pot lightly with Pam (just in case, like 1 reviewer suggested), turned my 3-qt Crock Pot on High & melted the butter (not margarine) & sharp cheese (I grated 16 oz wedge of sharp hoop cheese & reserved a little for the top later). Was not completely melted when other ingredients were added, but it did not matter- was all melted in the end. Turned the pot to Low. Whisked all the other ingredients in a separate bowl first before adding them to the pot. In this order: 1 beaten egg, sour cream, spices (used white pepper), soup, 1% milk. Added the noodles last. (compromised on the amount: a little more than the recipe calls for, but not quite the whole box. I think it would be fine to if you want to stretch it a little farther. It was plenty cheesy!) Was definitely ready to eat in 1 1/2 hours. Stirred it often. Sprinkled rest of cheese on top for last 20-30 min. Next time, I will try 2 eggs & reduced fat sour cream. Will never substitute the hoop cheese!
     
  3. I make this recipe all the time for my family. it is the best mac n cz as far as my family is concerned. I make it exactly as the recipe states. I usaully have to triple recipe because it is gone so fast. If I don't make it for the get together everyone is very disappointed. Get recipe!
     
  4. Ok I am a stay at home dad(not sure how long this will last) trying to learn to cook. I have it all together and in the crockpot! Wow I am cooking something :) I used the eggs becuase guys just like cracking and breaking stuff. It looks good and I'll let you know how it turns out.
     
  5. This Mac and Cheese is so wonderful! I have made it three times, and I find that when I use a whole box of elbows(about 3 and a half cups) leave out the eggs as recommended and not melt the cheese in a sauce pan, instead add the soup and other ingredients to the crock pot, then the cooked elbows and then the cheese and butter on top, stir it up and cook it for 2.5 hours it is perfect for us! This is a great recipe, thanks for sharing!
     
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Tweaks

  1. Do not omit the eggs. Whisk them lightly before adding them. Double the ingredients except triple the macaroni. Make sure to use a large enough crock pot. Use white pepper instead of black. Add 1/2 lb Smoked Gruyere. Use higher fat content butter. Stir every 20 minutes.
     
  2. I love this recipe and make it for potlucks. I double it to fill the crockpot better - that's 1 lb. of pasta. The key for this recipe is undercooking the noodles so the crockpot can finish the cook. I also add a 1/2 tsp. of worchestershire. I also skip the eggs. I just made it as an alfredo with peas and bacon on the side as add ins. (Chicken would good as well.) I used macaroni noodles instead of fettucini, parmesan instead of cheddar and skipped the salt as the cheese is saltier. I added a 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic and the pepper and no dry mustard. Delicious!
     
  3. Fiesta Nacho Cheese instead of Condensed Cheddar Cheese soup and a bit of Cayenne pepper!
     
  4. I omitted the eggs and mustard powder.
     
  5. See above
     

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I am a mother of two with another one on the way! I am married to an Englishman and we own a small business in our local area. We live in a very small town called Rough and Ready (yes there really is a place called Rough and Ready!) I am a part-time writer and full time mom. My kids were born 15 months apart and keep me so busy I barely have enough time to cook and no time at all for my other passion, horseback riding. I once had four horses but am down to two; my Arab mare Argo and old Denver. Both of them spend the vast majority of their time standing around in my back yard eating hay. I get to feed them and look at them, but until my kids are all in school (and I stop having more kids) that's about it. <img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/Adopted1smp.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket">
 
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