Hey there, busy moms and meal-time heroes! Huddle up. If you’re dreaming of creamy, dreamy mac and cheese but dread the oven or stovetop juggle, I’ve got your back. I know how precious time is (and how picky little taste buds can be!), so I went on a mission. I gathered 14 of the best, most varied slow-cooker mac & cheese recipes from trusted sources all over the web.
Think of this as your cheat sheet! Whether you need a dump-and-go lifesaver for soccer night, a velvety Velveeta classic your kids beg for, or something a little fancier for Sunday supper, there’s a perfect pot waiting here. Grab your crockpot, and let’s get cozy with comfort food made easy!
Classic Cheddar Favourites Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese Recipes
Nothing beats a bowl of classic slow‑cooker mac & cheese. These recipes center on sharp cheddar (often with a bit of American cheese) and creamy milk, yielding comfort‑food bliss. Each one delivers on gooey goodness with minimal fuss – perfect for busy families.
Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
A true dump‑and‑go crowd-pleaser. Just toss uncooked pasta, cheeses and seasonings into the crock with milk and let it work its magic. There’s no pre-boiling: the noodles cook right in the sauce (made extra rich with evaporated milk and butter). In about 2 hrs 20 min you have a creamy, cheesy casserole; it makes 8 servings.
The Best Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
This thick, velvety mac & cheese was perfected for potlucks. It uses shredded cheddar (and American cheese) melted slowly in evaporated and whole milk, resulting in a rich sauce. The blogger specifically notes how this method avoids a “gloppy, grainy” mess, yielding a non‑grainy, ultra creamy result. Cook on LOW for about 2 hrs 15 min (stirring once midway) to feed 8 people.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
A classic Allrecipes staple. Begin by boiling the pasta to al dente, then layer in cheese, butter, evaporated milk, and even a can of cheddar soup. The beaten eggs and more cheddar get added near the end. The result is “creamy, comforting” mac & cheese that’s “a big hit” at gatherings. It needs about 3 hrs 15 min of cook time (plus a little rest) and makes 12 servings.
Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese
Super simple “dump and bake” style from Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons. Pour uncooked pasta, evaporated milk, cheddar and cubed American cheese (and a knob of butter) into the slow cooker all at once – no precooking needed. Cook 1 hour on LOW, stir, then 1 more hour. The American cheese ensures an extra‑smooth texture, and freshly grated cheddar adds flavor. Total cook time is about 2 hrs and it yields 8 servings.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
A creamy, cheese‑loaded side from The Country Cook. This recipe uses both half-and-half and evaporated milk (no flour roux) for a super rich sauce. Freshly grated sharp cheddar plus chunks of white American cheese melt into the mixture, so you get cheesy flavor and amazing creaminess. It cooks on LOW for about 2 hrs 20 min and serves 10 people. (Since there’s no oven in sight, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd without heating the kitchen.)
Crock Pot Mac And Cheese Homemade Farmhouse Style 2025
Velveeta Lovers Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese Recipes
For ultra‑smooth mac & cheese, nothing beats Velveeta. These recipes add cubed Velveeta (often alongside real cheddar) and milk to the slow cooker. The Velveeta ensures the sauce is extra creamy and kid‑friendly.
Crockpot Mac and Cheese (With Velveeta)
A 2‑hour Velveeta favorite. Simply toss uncooked pasta, cubed Velveeta, cheddar and milk into the crock. As the website promises, it’s “super creamy, ultra-cheesy, and ridiculously easy!”. No precook means almost no prep – just hit start and come back in 2 hrs. (If the pasta isn’t quite tender, give it another 30 min.) Makes 8 servings.
Slow‑Cooker VELVEETA® Mac and Cheese
The official Velveeta recipe: a 2½–3 hr cook on LOW (then 15 min resting time). Elbow macaroni cooks right in milk, water, butter and a full pound of Velveeta cubes. Kraft calls it “creamy, cheesy perfection with zero effort”. It yields 8 servings of very smooth mac and cheese – ideal when you want guaranteed crowd‑pleasing cheesy bliss.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese {Farmhouse Style}
A Southern‑style, fuss-free version. First cook the pasta on the stove, then pour it into the crock with Velveeta cubes, shredded cheddar and evaporated milk. The result is “liquid gold” – a very rich, old‑school cheesy casserole. The author loves this because it “holds so well” at parties. Cook on LOW ~2 hrs 30 min. It makes about 12 servings, perfect for gatherings (the creamy cheese sauce stays warm and smooth in the pot).
Easy Velveeta Mac and Cheese
A quick-prep Velveeta recipe. With just 5 min prep, you cube Velveeta and butter, then add elbow macaroni, milk, evaporated milk and seasonings. The blogger promises a bowl “creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious”. On LOW, it cooks 1½–2 hrs, stirring at 90 min (so noodles don’t clump). Total time is 2 hrs; yields 6 servings. Perfect for weeknights or when kids (and hubby) demand mac & cheese.
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Maria’s Mixing Bowl offers an ultra-creamy take with a blend of sharp cheddar, Velveeta, and even cream cheese (plus a pinch of dry mustard). This triple-cheese combo and evaporated milk create an extra-rich sauce. Though the site didn’t list times, this style usually cooks about 3 hrs on LOW. Serves around 8–10 by our estimate. It’s a cheese lover’s dream – just stir it occasionally as it cooks for best results.
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Gourmet and Speciality Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese Recipes
Looking for something a bit different? These versions mix in extra cheeses, spices or unique methods for gourmet flair.
Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
A four‑cheese extravaganza. You boil the pasta just 3 minutes, then cook it in a sauce of whole milk, sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, Parmesan and even cream cheese. After an hour you fold in a cup of sour cream and let it cook 30 min more. The result is ultra‑creamy mac & cheese, perfect for a Midwest potluck. Total cook time is about 1 hr 30 min. It’s made “for feeding a crowd” – plan for at least 8–10 servings here, since it makes a very large batch.
Trisha Yearwood’s Slow‑Cooker Mac and Cheese
A celebrity cook’s “hands-off” recipe. After cooking 8 oz pasta and dumping it in the crock, Trisha adds about 4–5 cups cheddar (reserving a bit for the top), 1½ cups milk, a can of evaporated milk, butter, salt, pepper and 2 beaten eggs. No roux is needed – the eggs thicken it. She tops it with the remaining cheese and a sprinkle of paprika. Then just cook on LOW, no stirring, for 3 hrs 15 min. The result is “rich, creamy” mac & cheese, as good as anything in her Southern kitchen (and truly a set‑it‑and‑forget‑it meal).
Slow‑Cooker Macaroni and Cheese (Epicurious)
An “old‑fashioned” version adapted from a cookbook. It layers uncooked elbow pasta with skim milk, a whole can of evaporated milk and a beaten egg. No flour sauce is made – the egg and evaporated milk thicken everything as it cooks. You let it slow-cook 3¾–4¼ hours until the custard is set. This yields about 4 servings. It’s a lighter twist (skim milk and no butter) on mac & cheese, and kids love the traditional elbows. This is a perfect pick if you want a simple, “railroad‑diner” style mac that still tastes indulgent.
Tips for Success
- Check your slow cooker size: Please, please check your slow cooker size first. These recipes work best in 4 to 7-quart models. Too small, and it’ll bubble over; too big, and things might dry out or cook too fast.
- Stir halfway through: Unless the recipe specifically says “hands-off” (like some dump-and-go versions), give it a gentle stir halfway through cooking. This prevents the edges from drying out or scorching and ensures creamy perfection throughout.
- Customize with mix‑ins: Feel free to add cooked bacon, chopped vegetables (like broccoli or cooked peppers), hot sauce or seasonings at the end for extra flavor. A handful of breadcrumbs on top before serving also adds a nice crunch. Let your family’s tastes guide you!
- Reheat carefully: Mac & cheese can thicken when stored. To revive leftovers, add a splash of milk (or extra cream) when reheating in a saucepan or microwave. This loosens the sauce back to creamy perfection.
There you have it, friends! 13 fantastic ways to get creamy, dreamy mac and cheese on the table with minimal stress. I hope you find your family’s new favourite cozy meal. Happy slow cooking! ♥️