Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese

Submitted by GiddyUpGo

"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!"

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 45mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 1⁄2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 eggs (I omitted the eggs)
• 1⁄2 cup sour cream
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

directions

1. Boil the macaroni in water for six minutes. Drain.
2. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.
3. 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.
4. Cook on low for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Reviews

[lendzionl]

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!

 

[dwpete]

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!

 

[melissavaz]

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!

 

[dad2cool]

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.

 

[Kristen Annie]

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!