Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

By srumbel

This Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese is creamy, comforting and perfect for potlucks. Best of all, it comes together easily in the crock-pot — even the pasta!
Author: Kelly @ Life Made Sweeter

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked dry elbow pasta
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 (10 oz) can cheddar cheese soup
• 2 cups half and half (or 1 cup whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream)
• 2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese + 1/2 cup reserved for topping
• 1 cup (4 oz) shredded Mozzarella cheese (or Monterey Jack)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1-2 teaspoons salt (plus more to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or more to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon dry ground mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• Dash of cayenne pepper (to taste)
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
• 2 slices of Provolone cheese (optional - for extra gooeyness)
• Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
• Toasted panko crumbs, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Spray a 5-6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray.
Add the dry pasta to the slow cooker. Dot with cubed butter then stir in the cheddar cheese soup, half and half, shredded cheddar, shredded Mozzarella, sour cream, salt, black pepper, mustard, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire and evaporated milk.
Stir to combine, making sure that the pasta is covered in as much liquid as much as possible.
Cover and cook on low heat (about 2 - 2½ hours but total time will vary according to your slow cooker - mine was done at 90 minutes). Check pasta after 30 minutes and stir. Cover and continue cooking. Check and gently stir sides every 30 minutes until pasta is tender and liquid is be thick and creamy. Top with Provolone cheese and remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk as needed. Turn off slow cooker and cover for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Stir to combine.
Serve immediately with freshly chopped parsley and toasted panko crumbs, if desired.
Transfer any remaining pasta from the slow cooker into a separate casserole dish or pot. If any pasta is left in the slow cooker, even when it's off, it will continue to cook and get hard.

Serves: 4-6