Creamy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese ๐ง
Overview:
Prepare yourself for the ultimate comfort food experience with this delectable Creamy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe. Crafted out of a desire for a richer, more velvety texture than traditional crock pot versions, this indulgent dish boasts a luxurious combination of fat-free milk, half-and-half, and reduced-fat Parmesan cheese.
Recipe Information:
- Name: Creamy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Category: One Dish Meal
- Keywords: Cheese, High In…, Potluck, Weeknight, Brunch, Inexpensive
- Total Time: 4 hours and 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories: 551.5 per serving
- Fat Content: 34.4g
- Saturated Fat Content: 21.5g
- Cholesterol Content: 105mg
- Sodium Content: 801.7mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 33.7g
- Fiber Content: 1.3g
- Sugar Content: 1.3g
- Protein Content: 26.6g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 | elbow macaroni |
| 1 | milk |
| 1/2 | half-and-half |
| 3 | butter |
| 3 1/2 | cheddar cheese |
| 1/2 | parmesan cheese |
| 1/4 | yellow onion |
| 1 | garlic clove |
| 1/2 tsp | salt |
| 1/2 tsp | pepper |
| flour |
Instructions:
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Sautรฉ Onion and Garlic: Start by sautรฉing finely chopped yellow onion and pressed garlic clove in a tablespoon of butter until they turn soft and fragrant, creating a flavorful base for your mac and cheese.
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Prepare Flour Mixture: In a shaker, combine 3 tablespoons of flour with a portion of the milk, shaking vigorously until smooth and free of lumps. This step ensures a velvety texture in your sauce.
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Combine Ingredients: In your trusty crock pot, combine the sautรฉed onion and garlic with the prepared flour mixture, remaining milk, half-and-half, remaining butter, shredded cheddar cheese, reduced-fat Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
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Crock Pot Magic: Set your crock pot to cook on high heat for a total of 4 hours, stirring hourly to allow the flour to thicken the sauce evenly. This slow cooking process ensures that every bite of your macaroni and cheese is infused with creamy goodness.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once the cooking time is complete, ladle generous portions of the creamy mac and cheese onto plates or into bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a dash of black pepper if desired.
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Optional Enhancements: Feel free to customize your mac and cheese by adding crispy bacon bits, diced jalapeรฑos for a spicy kick, or a sprinkle of breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
Final Thoughts:
This Creamy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe is the epitome of comfort food indulgence, marrying convenience with decadence in every creamy bite. Perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or lazy brunches, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning cheese lover. So grab your crock pot and get ready to elevate your mac and cheese game to new heights!
