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.
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.
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.
If you’ve ever wondered what part of the pig Bacon comes from check out the picture below. Surprised?
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.
Bacon Grease Tip
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.
What is Al Dente
When making Mac and Cheese, it’s important to cook the pasta al dente to ensure the 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.
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.
Gather your Ingredients
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.
Printable Recipe Card
Low and Slow Mac and Cheese
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Ingredients
- 2 ½ Cups Milk
- 12 oz Evaporated Milk
- 1 Tsp Kosher Salt
- ½ Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ½ Tsp 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
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.