Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
๐ Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
Description:
This Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe, adapted from Company’s Coming Slow Cooker Recipes, is a lifesaver for busy evenings, especially when the kids have skating lessons or any after-school activity. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that you can simply toss into the crockpot, and by the time your activities are done, a delicious dinner is ready and waiting for you. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can even use a second crockpot to cook a glazed ham simultaneously, making for a complete and satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
Keywords: Cheese, Kid Friendly, Potluck, Winter, < 4 Hours, Easy, Inexpensive
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 685.7
- Fat Content: 28.9g
- Saturated Fat Content: 17.7g
- Cholesterol Content: 93.5mg
- Sodium Content: 1250.6mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 73.2g
- Fiber Content: 2.8g
- Sugar Content: 2.5g
- Protein Content: 32.4g
Servings: 3 servings
Yield: 4 cups
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Instructions:
-
Prepare Crockpot: Begin by spraying your crockpot with non-stick spray to ensure easy cleaning later on.
-
Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, combine the flour, salt, pepper, onions, and paprika.
-
Add Milk: Pour in the milk and stir vigorously with a whisk until the mixture is smooth and free of any lumps.
-
Thicken Sauce: Heat the mixture over medium heat, continuing to stir, until it comes to a boil and thickens.
-
Incorporate Cheese and Macaroni: Once the mixture has thickened, add in the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until it’s fully melted and incorporated. Then, add the elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until everything is well mixed.
-
Transfer to Crockpot: Pour the cheesy macaroni mixture into a 3 1/2 quart (3.5L) slow cooker, spreading it out evenly.
-
Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid, and cook on low heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or if you’re pressed for time, you can cook it on high for 1 hour. The macaroni and cheese should be hot and bubbly when ready.
-
Serve: Once cooked to perfection, serve your Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese hot, straight from the slow cooker. It’s creamy, cheesy, and sure to be a hit with the whole family!
This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a quick and satisfying meal that everyone will love. Enjoy the convenience of your crockpot and the deliciousness of homemade mac and cheese!
