Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2-2.5 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes – 2 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of elbow macaroni
• 4 cups of milk
• 400 grams of shredded cheddar cheese
• 100 grams of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 120 grams of unsalted butter, melted
• 60 grams of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of paprika

Instructions:

1. Cook the Elbow Macaroni:
   • Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions, but slightly undercook it as it will continue to cook in the crockpot. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Butter-Flour Slurry:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter and flour until smooth. This will be the base for your cheese sauce.
3. Combine Butter-Flour Slurry with Milk:
   • Slowly stir the butter-flour slurry into the milk in the slow cooker, ensuring there are no lumps and everything is well combined.
4. Add Ingredients to the Crockpot:
   • To the milk mixture in the slow cooker, add the cooked macaroni, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir to evenly coat the pasta with the cheese sauce.
5. Set Crockpot on Low Heat:
   • Cover the crockpot and set it on low heat. Allow the mac and cheese to cook for at least two hours, stirring occasionally to prevent the cheese from sticking to the bottom.
6. Adjust Consistency:
   • After the initial cooking time, check the consistency of the mac and cheese. If it’s too thick, you can thin it out by adding a little more milk and stirring. If it’s too thin, leave the lid off and continue cooking for an additional 15-30 minutes.
7. Season to Taste:
   • Taste the mac and cheese and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
8. Keep Warm or Serve:
   • If you plan to serve the mac and cheese immediately, keep it warm in the crockpot by turning off the slow cooker and covering the dish until ready to serve.
9. Garnish and Enjoy:
   • Serve the Crockpot Mac and Cheese as a main dish or side. You can garnish it with chopped fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, or additional shredded cheese for extra flavor and texture.