Crockpot Mac ‘n’ Cheese

22 Jan

It’s 19* outside. 19.

I’m sorry (not really), but when the bitter cold of winter strikes, the last thing I want is a fresh, crisp salad.

I want a big, warm bowl of comfort food – preferably in the form of macaroni and cheese. Bonus points for being able to eat the mac ‘n’ while wearing sweatpants and lounging on the couch.

Seriously though, if it’s this cold, it needs to snow so I don’t have to go to work and I can hole up indoors with my pug.

This recipe isn’t one of those “set it and forget it” crockpot recipes. That’s too bad, since those are my favorite. Although you have to be around to “stir occasionally,” it’s worth the extra effort.

This would be perfect on a weekend… or a snow day.

Crockpot Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Ingredients*:

1 box of elbow macaroni (I used whole wheat.)
4 tbsp. olive oil
2 12 oz. cans of evaporated milk (I used 2%.)
3 c. milk (I used skim.)
4 c. shredded cheese (I used a 3 cheese blend.)
8 oz. Velveeta (I used 2% milk.)
1/2 c. melted butter

*The original recipe called for 4 tbsp. dried minced onion, which I omitted simply because I didn’t have any on hand and I’m a tightwad who didn’t want to buy any.

*The original recipe also called for 16 oz. of Velveeta, but that seemed like a lot to me. This was plenty cheesy with just 8 oz., but if you’re down for the full 16, I say go for it!

Directions:

Cook pasta according to directions; drain.
Combine oil and cooked pasta in crockpot and stir to coat.
Add remaining ingredients to the crockpot (be sure to cut up the Velveeta ahead of time); stir to combine.
Cook on low 3-4 hours (I went with 3.5); stir occasionally.

A huge bonus of this recipe… leftovers! If you follow me on Instagram, you saw 4 – yes 4 – Tupperware containers full of this yummy stuff!

If you live in the northeast, you may have heard something about a snow storm coming on Friday. This is me giving you permission to be that crazy person at the supermarket Thursday evening. Stock up on these ingredients, get cozy in your sweats, and only pry yourself from the couch to “stir occasionally.”

Who else is crazy about mac ‘n’ cheese? Pasta + cheese… seriously, what’s not to love?!

Comments 16 Comments
Categories Uncategorized
Author 4thesakeofcake

16 Responses to “Crockpot Mac ‘n’ Cheese”

Katie @ running4cupcakes January 22, 2013 at 4:16 pm #

19 degrees sounds awesome right about now. .. we are supposed to have a *high* of -2 today here in MN!
Katie @ running4cupcakes recently posted..Weekend Update: 1/20/13

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- 4thesakeofcake January 22, 2013 at 8:21 pm #
  
  Ok, I guess I can’t complain!
  
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Allee @ Griselda Mood January 22, 2013 at 4:45 pm #

This looks DELICIOUS! I try lots of your recipes so I’ll definitely give this one a chance too!

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- 4thesakeofcake January 22, 2013 at 8:21 pm #
  
  Awesome, Allee! I hope you like it!
  
  Reply
Presley @ Run Pretty January 22, 2013 at 7:15 pm #

I want to go SWIMMING in that. Ah, cheese, I love it.
Presley @ Run Pretty recently posted..ZOOMA Florida Half Marathon

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chelcie @ chelcie's food files January 22, 2013 at 7:51 pm #

mmm that looks like my kind of recipe..i love my crock pot!
chelcie @ chelcie’s food files recently posted..Wellington, New Zealand Part 1

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Danielle January 22, 2013 at 8:05 pm #

Wow that looks so delicious and easy to make! Love it!

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Colleen @ Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill January 22, 2013 at 9:10 pm #

I’ve always preferred homemade mac and cheese over the boxed brands–so much creamier! My mom has a great recipe for baked mac and cheese, but I’m definitely going to pass this one along to her.
Colleen @ Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill recently posted..Icing My Face with Frozen Mango Chunks

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Haley @ The Saucy Apple January 22, 2013 at 11:31 pm #

I love the idea of crockpot mac ‘n’ cheese! I’m going to have to try this.

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Jessie January 23, 2013 at 3:21 am #

&& hearing that y’all may be getting a huge snow storm makes me a bit happy that I’m not in PA, and instead I’m enjoying the 80 degree weather here, Ha Ha!
Jessie recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday :: Fast Food

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- 4thesakeofcake January 23, 2013 at 7:34 pm #
  
  Now they’re not thinking we’re going to get as much… if anything! Thankfully!
  
  Reply
Simone @ realgoodfood.net January 23, 2013 at 7:59 am #

I love crock pot mac’n'cheese I always eat way too much of it b/c it is sooo delicious! I have to try your recipe! Thanks for sharing
Simone @ realgoodfood.net recently posted..One bad meal won’t make you fat and baked stuffed zucchini

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Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life January 23, 2013 at 9:30 am #

Yum yum yum! Looks like the perfect side dish to indulge in! my hubby would love this recipe, (and so would I)!
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life recently posted..Wake Up Call

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Diane @ life of di. January 23, 2013 at 11:44 am #

Mac and Cheese is a favorite from childhood. I loved when my mom would make it from scratch – oh the days! This recipe looks really tasty too

As for the temperature – I can relate! It’s only 7 here today!! 7!! Ah!
Diane @ life of di. recently posted..Can I Borrow Some Butter?

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Alysha @ Shesontherun January 25, 2013 at 9:42 pm #

Um YUM! I don’t see anything wrong with a little Velvetta. It’s so nice for melting, but I really like how you added real cheddar too.
Alysha @ Shesontherun recently posted..Baked Oatmeal for a Quick and Easy Breakfast

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