This Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese takes minutes to put together and is full of FOUR kinds of cheese: Asiago, Sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda, which makes this the best holiday side dish!
Today’s post is sponsored by our friends at Crystal Farms Cheese. Their cheese is made by cheese lovers for cheese lovers and we all know. . . cheese lovers are the best people.
Holy cheesiness. This Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is SOOOO good and full of not one, not two, nope not even three, but FOUR kinds of cheese <– yeahhhhhh.
Here’s the thing. I’m normally not a homemade mac and cheese kinda girl (gimme all that boxed stuff), but ever since my One Pot Mac and Cheese, I’ve converted and been a homemade mac and cheese girl all the way.
This mac and cheese is cheesy, but not too cheesy – as if that’s even a thing – super creamy, full of perfectly cooked noodles, and guess what?
It’s made in my all time favorite kitchen tool: the crockpot.
Make it as a main, but honestly, I prefer this as a side dish, so it’s super perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow!
Move over turkey, because I’m pretty sure this Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is the new star.
PS – Make sure you head to the bottom of the post, because we’ve got a super fun giveaway for you today! 🙂
Can we back up a second and talk about the fact that Thanksgiving is tomorrow!?
Are you ready? I am, but only because I’m not in charge of a single thing.
Except eating, of course.
If you’re not quite ready, have no fear, because you can just make this Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese and nobody will ever need to know that you made this last minute. Actually, you will make this mac and cheese and nobody will ever CARE that you made this last minute, because it’s just so darn good.
Honestly, I was a little hesitant to make a mac and cheese in the slow cooker, because I’ve heard some horror stories… cheese not melting, pasta burning, the result being a mushy mess… you get it, just an overall disaster.
But I based this recipe off of my stovetop one pot mac and cheese, made a few tweaks and letmetellyou, it worked like a charm.
Here’s what you’re gonna do:
Combine #allthethings into a crockpot. 😉
More specifically, combine uncooked macaroni, veggie broth, half and half, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, and cheese into your slow cooker. Let it cook on LOW for 2 hours, give it a quick stir, top it with more cheese, and then cook it for an additional 30 minutes.
2 1/2 hours later, you’ve got the easiest, cheesiest holiday side dish. Ever.
I think this mac and cheese is particularly good because of the cheese we’re using. Like I said, FOUR cheeses are involved in today’s recipe:
Crystal Farms Shredded Asiago (brings a little sharpness to the dish)
Crystal Farms Monterey Jack Cheese (ultra buttery)
Crystal Farms Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar Cheese (um, because #wisconsin, and helllooo there IS no mac without sharp cheddar)
Crystal Farms Gouda Cheese (melts like a charm and because gouda = ♡ )
Cheese. Overload. In the best way possible of course.
I love, love, LOVE using Crystal Farms Cheese. Not only does all of their cheese TASTE super delicious, they’re all all natural with few preservatives, tons of calcium, and they’re gluten free. Plus, I ♡ local brands and Crystal Farms is located just 30 minutes away in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, which I think is super cool.
Anybody in Madison want to take a road trip with me to see #allthecheese? 😉
This Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese takes minutes to put together and is full of FOUR kinds of cheese which kind of makes this the best holiday side dish!
Happy *almost* Thanksgiving, everyone!
– Jennifer
What’s your favorite cheesy holiday side dish? Show Me the Yummy!
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) box macaroni uncooked
- 1 cup broth chicken or vegetable
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon salt more or less to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper more or less to taste
- 1/2 cup (2 oz) Crystal Farms Shredded Asiago
- 1 cup (4 oz) Crystal Farms Monterey Jack Cheese shredded
- 1 cup (4 oz) Crystal Farms Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 cup (4 oz) Crystal Farms Gouda Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Grease crockpot with cooking spray and combine macaroni, broth, half and half, milk, salt, and black pepper in crockpot.
- In a separate bowl, combine all the shredded cheese.
- Set aside 1/2 cup of the cheese in a smaller bowl and pour the rest into the crockpot.
- Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW 2 hours.
- Stir, top with the additional 1/2 cup cheese and cook an additional 30 minutes (covered).
- Serve immediately!
Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutritional information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Looking for more cheesy goodness? Be sure to follow Crystal Farms on social media:
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Crystal Farms® Cheese. The opinions and text are all mine.
Nicole
Do you have this converted for oven recipe by chance? Loved the flavor but not the gumminess of the noodles in the crock-pot.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hi Nicole! Here are all our mac and cheese recipes: https://showmetheyummy.com/?s=mac The one pot mac is probably the closest 🙂
Lolly
This is great Mac n Cheese!
Must follow the directions precisely… and the Asiago cheese adds a bold flavor. The next time I make this… I will try 1/4 cup instead of 1/2 cup!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
So glad you liked this!
Olivia
Mine came out very soupy. The noodles are mushy and it’s almost still like a soup- there is so much liquid! Thoughts?
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Did you use uncooked noodles?
Marilyn Gibbons
Made this for a party and made a batch and half. Everyone loved it! Really good without the butter.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
That’s great! Thank you! 🙂
Day
HEAVEN IN A CROCKPOT!!!! Absolutely the best ive had. I am a big RAT!!!!! Love most cheeses. Not too fond of Gouda. I debated on adding it to this recipe. I did. And it is by far the best I’ve had! Shhhh! I will never say this to grampa! Still love his though. I give this a 10 star. Try it, I guarantee you will enjoy it
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
You’re so sweet! Thank you 🙂
Tania
Hi wanting make today but Is only husband and i so wanted halve ingredients. Do i halve cooking time too? Thxs!
Trevor @ Show Me the Yummy
I’d imagine the cooking time is still the same 🙂 You could check it halfway through though!
Emma
I did this using slow cooker setting on the instant pot. It came out extremely dry. Any thoughts on what I did wrong? Did I possibly overcook it? I know the instant pot slow cooker settings tend to be slightly different. Also, anything I can do to fix the tons of leftovers I have so they are edible?
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hi Emma! I’ve never used the IP as a slow cooker, so I’m guessing that’s the problem! You could try to add some moisture like milk or broth to moisten!
Ranndee Walter
If you do not have evaporated.milk what can you use
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Regular milk is fine!
Mohit Kumar
looks delicious!!!
Going to make this dish in the upcoming days.
Thanks for the recipe.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Thanks so much!
Janie
Hello, this is saved in my pinterest (recipes to make), however I’m confused about the use of evaporated milk. Here, in the uk, this ingredient is very sweet and used as a dessert (sugar content about 14%) is this the same as what you would use? If so, I’ll trust you and make it, just didn’t want to make a dish that is wrong!
Thanks for your help, x
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hi Janie! Are you confusing it for sweetened condensed milk? 🙂 Evaporated milk is a little sweet, but not that sweet!
Janie
I’ll give it a go! Thank you 🙂
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Enjoy! 🙂
techlazy.com
I’ve been loving my crockpot and rice cooker lately for busy weeknights – this recipe is perfect for one of our dinners during the week.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Yay!! I hope you love it 🙂
Sam Sasek
Cheesy mashed potatoes!!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Soooo good!!!
Jenice
Mac and cheese is my favorite.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
It’s the best!! 🙂
Alisa
This is similar to a recipe I use – but I use condensed cheddar cheese soup instead of broth and only sharp cheddar cheese. I love the variety of cheeses in your recipe, though, and plan on trying it out soon!
I <3 Crystal Farms cheese as well!
-A Fellow Madisonian
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Isn’t Crystal Farms the best?! Thanks Alisa!! Love the sound of your recipe. 🙂
Alisa
I almost forgot… I made this for Christmas dinner. I forgot the half and half – so I made due with a mix of more broth and some milk. My family loved it!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Thanks for letting me know Alisa!! SO happy the family loved this!! 🙂
Janet Lail
My favorite is my grandma’s dressing. However, I am usually in charge of the mac n cheese and I think for Christmas I will try this recipe. It sounds a LOT easier than the way I make it!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
I hope you love it Janet!!!! 🙂
Lynne | 365 Days of Baking and More
My favorite cheesy holiday side dish is a potato casserole that my grandmother used to make. I can see your Mac & Cheese giving it a run for its’ money though. Can’t wait to make it!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
You seriously can’t go wrong with potatoes and cheese 🙂
Seth B
This is literally genius, I’m a huge sucker for mac and cheese, and to feature one that can be made in the crock pot? Amazing!
I love it and super excited to try out this recipe! Looking forward to your other recipes to try out! You have a great blog! Cheers!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
You’re so nice!! Thank you so much, Seth! 🙂
David
I like oven baked macaroni and cheese, with that golden brown layer of cheese on top.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Mmmm so delicious!!
Nate
Looks great! Been meaning to find a good crock pot Mac N Cheese recipe for our kids. Will definitely be trying this soon to get us through the winter. Happy Holidays!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
I hope they love it…you’ll have to let me know! 🙂
Kelly M.
Broccoli cheese casserole is a must-have in our house!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
It’s so good, isn’t it?!
Geoff
My favorite side dish is cheesy mashed potatoes
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Cheesy mashed potatoes are the best!
Melissa
My favorite cheesy dish is potatoes au gratin!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
YUM!!!!
Alexandra Robertson
This seriously looks amazing. My favorite holiday cheesy side is au gratin potatoes.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Thank you so much!!! Yummmm 🙂
Tieghan Gerard
This could not sound any more delicious. NEED it!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Thank you!!
Keri justice
My favorite Holiday dish is mac and cheese. So good.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Yes!! Thanks Keri 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Holy cheesiness is right guys! I’m a total cheese lover, so this one is gonna happen real soon at our house!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Awww thank you!!
kita
This mac and cheese just won the internets. I am done for the day. Find me cuddling with my slow cooker.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hahahaha thank you!!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
The cheese factor in this is INSANE! In the best way possible 🙂
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hahaha thanks Gina!!
Cookin Canuck
Bring on the cheese! I want to curl up under a warm blanket with a bowl of this mac ‘n cheese in my hand. Perfect comfort food!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Awwww thanks Dara!!!! <3
Matt
My absolute favorite way to make mac & cheese, this looks awesome!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Thanks Matt!
Eva @ L.E.E bakers
It looks so creamy and gooey! Love it!
I don’t really have a favorite cheesy holiday dish. All of them are delicous and hard to choose which one I like best. I love your recipes and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Aww thank you so much, Eva!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Chellie
I’m not in Madison, but I’d LOVE to go with you to see #allthecheese! 🙂 We’ll be there next September, maybe we can connect then.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hahaha yesssss #allthecheese. Would love to connect in September! Just let us know when you’re in town. 🙂
Tiffany
This looks so good. I love a good mac & cheese! Lasagna is also another cheesy dish which I adore.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Oooo can’t beat a good lasagna! Thanks Tiffany 🙂
Michelle B.
I love cheesy au gratin potatoes! Crystal Farms is my go-to cheese. Thanks for the chance!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Cheesy potatoes are the best! Isn’t Crystal Farms amazing?! Thanks Michelle!
Julia (@imagelicious)
My favourite holiday cheese side dish is the scalloped potatoes that my mother in law makes. It’s really bad for you but so good! I ask her to make that cheesy goodness every year!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hi Julia! Scalloped potatoes are some of my favorites!!! Thanks Julia 🙂