Macaroni and Cheese in the Crockpot
Mac and Cheese is relatively quick and easy in the crockpot and there is no precooking of the pasta involved!! We have been experimenting with various lasagna recipes for years successfully, but had never done Macaroni and Cheese in the Crockpot, until seeing a recipe in Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook by Beth Hensberger and Julie Kaufmann. That fabulous book had a delicious sounding recipe for smooth and creamy Macaroni and Cheese in the Crockpot.
We had everything except the macaroni, so we substituted bow ties and gave it a try on a cold Sunday before church.
The ultimate comfort food, we have included two recipes here for small and large families or gatherings! We added a fun Tuna Macaroni and Cheese addition, as well as a Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese recipe!
For a small cooker
- 1 ½ cups skim or low-fat milk
- 1 15 oz can evaporated skim milk
- 1 large egg beaten
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Large pinch of freshly ground pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (I like Sharp) or Colby, or Wisconsin longhorn
- 8 ounces bow ties or elbow macaroni (2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Double recipe
- 3 cups skim or low-fat milk
- 2 15 oz cans evaporated skim milk
- 2 large egg beaten
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Large pinch of freshly ground pepper
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I like Sharp) or Colby, or Wisconsin longhorn
- 16 ounces of bowties or elbow macaroni (4 cups)
- 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- For a larger cooker (I made this in my 6 qt crock)
Coat the slow cooker with nonstick spray. Combine the low-fat and evaporated milks, eggs, salt and pepper in the cooker and whisk until smooth. Add the cheese and pasta (either macaroni or bow ties) and gently stir with rubber spatula to coat evenly with milk and cheese. You need to make sure that all of the pasta is coated by milk, so it will cook. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
Cover and cook on LOW about 3 ½ to 4 hours, until the custard is set in the center and the pasta is rich and tender. Do not cook more than 4 hours, or the sides will burn. We personally like the crunchy sides – yummy!
This is a great meal to throw in the crockpot before church on Sunday, and come home to a delicious meal.
Crockpot Variations of Macaroni and Cheese
Tuna Macaroni and Cheese in the Crocpot: Just throw in 2 or 3 cans of well drained tuna for more protein!
Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese in the Slow Cooker: Dice a few jalapenos (or add one of our cubes) and stir well, cook.
Tuna Jalapeno Mac & Cheese in the Crockpot: Add both items above for a spicy, luscious treat!
Copyright Lisa Baughn at www.ThePrudentwife.com ~
Lisa Baughn shows you how to save time, money and sanity while learning to thrive in the “new economy,” equipping you to get out of debt faster. Creative ideas to live again, nail one debt at a time, revamping your lifestyle and attitude. Enjoy signature how-to videos which explode open easy cooking techniques with simple gourmet meals and maximum nutrition. Thrive in the new economy! Great ideas and tips can be found at her website www.ThePrudentWife.com