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    Home » Recipes » Gourmet Mac & Cheese

    Low and Slow Mac and Cheese

    Published on November 6, 2017 - Updated on January 14, 2023 by Chef Rodney - 1 Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    slow cooker mac and cheese
    Low and Slow Mac & Cheese. It doesn't get much easier than this. Dump all the ingredients in your slow cooker and voila! Cheesy Goodness!
     
    bowl of mac and cheese

    This Low and Slow Mac and Cheese recipe is perfect for those days where you just don’t have much time on your hands but you CRAVE Mac & Cheese. Sure you can get some out of a box, but for the same amount of prep time, you can have this delicious Mac & Cheese with Bacon.

    ingredients for slow cooker mac and cheese
    Ingredients in Slow Cooker

    The traditional way of making macaroni and cheese is in a casserole baked in the oven. A modern variation to preparing Mac & Cheese is in a saucepan on top of the stove or in a slow cooker. Just like this mac and cheese recipe.

    velveeta

    If you are looking for a Mac & Cheese recipe that uses the traditional method, check out my delicious Kim Kardashian's Mac & Cheese, my Easy Baked Mac and Cheese, my Mexican Taco Mac & Cheese and my Mac & Cheese with Green Onions and Ham.

    low and slow mac and cheese

    If you've ever wondered what part of the pig Bacon comes from check out the picture below. Surprised?

    Pork Cuts Diagram

    🥓 How to Make Bacon

    If you struggle to make bacon perfectly, I've put together a short tutorial on How to Make Perfect Bacon - 3 Ways. Check it out! My preferred method is baking it in the oven.

    And don't throw away that bacon grease! Bacon is expensive and the grease is great for making Scrambled Eggs, Grilled Cheese, Popcorn and even hash browns. It can keep up to 3 months if properly stored in the refrigerator.

    Air Fried Bacon

    💭 What is Al Dente

    When making Mac and Cheese, it's important to cook the pasta al dente to ensure to best texture possible. If you are not familiar with the term "al dente", it means cooking the pasta so it's still chewy and form and that it will hold its shape when the sauce is added to it.

    low and slow mac and cheese

    💭 Slow Cooker Tip

    Try to resist as much as possible the temptation to open the lid while it's cooking as the slow cooker loses heat. By just opening the lid to stir the contents can make the internal temperature drop by 10°F to 15°F.

    For more great recipes with Velveeta Cheese, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • Smoked Chorizo Queso Dip
      Smoked Chorizo Queso Dip
    • Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
      Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
    • Veggie Enchiladas
      Veggie Enchiladas
    • Copycat Boston Market Mac and Cheese
      Copycat Boston Market Mac and Cheese

    📋 What Ingredients do I need

    You will need the following ingredients to make this Macaroni and Cheese recipe in your slow cooker (see recipe card for quantities): Milk, Evaporated Milk, Kosher Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Paprika, Macaroni, Unsalted Butter, Velveeta Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Bacon and Bread Crumbs.

    🥣 How to make Low and Slow Mac and Cheese

    In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, and paprika.
    Put the uncooked macaroni into your slow cooker. Top with the Cubed butter and all cheeses.
    Pour the milk mixture on top and stir to combine.
    Press all the macaroni into the milk mixture.
    Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for about 2, stirring once after one hour.
    The Mac & Cheese will be done when all the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is cooked.
    Once the noodles are ready, turn off the slow cooker, add crumbled bacon and mix well.
    Serve in a bowl. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

    slow cooker mac and cheese

    Low and Slow Mac and Cheese

    Low and Slow Mac & Cheese. It doesn't get much easier than this. Dump all the ingredients in your crockpot and voila! Cheesy Goodness!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 3 hrs
    Total Time 3 hrs 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 753 kcal

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • Bowl for Mixing

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 ½ Cups Milk
    • 12 oz Evaporated Milk
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Paprika
    • 1 lbs Elbow Macaroni
    • ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter, cubed
    • 4 oz Velveeta Cheese, cubed
    • 8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
    • 4 oz Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
    • 1 lb Bacon, cooked & crumbled
    • Bread Crumbs

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl whisk together milk, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, and paprika.
    • Put the uncooked macaroni into your slow cooker. Top with the Cubed butter and all cheeses.
    • Pour the milk mixture on top and stir to combine. Press all the macaroni into the milk mixture.
    • Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for about 2, stirring once after one hour. The Mac & Cheese will be done when all the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is cooked.
    • Once the noodles are ready, turn off slow cooker, add crumbled bacon and mix well.
    • Serve in a bowl. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

    Notes

    → Try to resist as much as possible the temptation to open the lid while it's cooking as the slow cooker loses heat. By just opening the lid to stir the contents can make the internal temperature drop by 10°F to 15°F.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 753kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 34gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 1200mgPotassium: 592mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 1340IUVitamin C: 1.1mgCalcium: 803mgIron: 1.5mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    More Gourmet Mac & Cheese Recipes

    • smoked mac and cheese
      Easy Smoked Mac and Cheese
    • Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese
      Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese
    • Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
      Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
    • Copycat Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
      Copycat Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
    hot rods recipes

    Reader Interactions

    1 Comment

    1. Kelly

      December 28, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      I loved making this Mac and cheese in my slow cooker. No trouble at all. For our busy days it is a perfect way to go. Definitely a keeper.

      Reply

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