5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

This 5 ingredient slow cooker mac and cheese is one of those recipes I come back to when I need a creamy, cheesy side without making a separate cheese sauce. With cream cheese, cheddar, milk, evaporated milk, and elbow macaroni, it keeps the ingredient list simple.

I especially love making it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and family gatherings because it leaves the oven free for everything else. I cook the macaroni separately before adding it to the Crock Pot—and after trying it both ways, that’s the method I recommend.

Why I Cook the Macaroni Separately

I’ve tested this recipe with uncooked pasta in the slow cooker. When dinner was delayed, the macaroni became too soft.

That’s why I boil the pasta separately. When I’m cooking for a gathering, I want a method I can count on, especially when the rest of the meal doesn’t run exactly on schedule.

This isn’t a no-boil recipe, but that extra step is worth it to me. You still get the convenience of making the cheese sauce in the slow cooker without preparing a roux.

The Five Ingredients

You’ll find the full quantities in the recipe card below. Here’s what you need:

• Cream cheese
• Milk
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Evaporated milk
• Elbow macaroni

Make sure you have both regular milk and evaporated milk. This recipe uses both, so don’t leave one out or substitute sweetened condensed milk.

How to Make 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

1. Start the cheese sauce

Add the cream cheese, milk, shredded cheddar, and evaporated milk to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour.

2. Cook the macaroni separately

While the cheese mixture cooks, prepare the elbow macaroni according to the package directions. Drain before adding it to the slow cooker.

3. Combine and finish cooking

Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese mixture. Cover and continue cooking for another 45 minutes, checking the pasta’s texture toward the end.

4. Stir and serve

Give everything a good stir before serving, making sure the sauce and macaroni are mixed throughout the pot.

Tips for Making This for a Holiday Meal

Plan around serving time. The slow cooker frees up oven space, but this dish still needs a place on your cooking schedule. Work backward from when you want dinner ready.

Check the pasta near the end. Slow cookers can run differently. Once the macaroni reaches the texture you like, serve it rather than leaving it cooking for an extended time.

Follow the separately cooked pasta method. Don’t add dry macaroni to these same ingredient quantities and expect the same result.

Test changes before a gathering. If you want to try a different cheese or add other ingredients, make that version before serving it for a holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put uncooked macaroni in the slow cooker?

For this recipe, I recommend cooking it separately. I tried the raw-pasta method, and the noodles became mushy when I couldn’t serve dinner right away. The instructions here are written for cooked macaroni.

Is this Crock Pot mac and cheese made with cream cheese?

Yes! Cream cheese is one of the five ingredients, along with cheddar, milk, evaporated milk, and elbow macaroni.

Do I need to make a roux?

No. There’s no flour-and-butter sauce to prepare. The dairy ingredients go into the slow cooker together.

Can I make this for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Absolutely—that’s one of my favorite reasons to make it. When the oven is full, this slow cooker mac and cheese gives you another way to prepare a side dish. Just plan to finish it close to serving time.

A Side Dish I Come Back To

For me, a recipe earns its place on the holiday table when it tastes good and fits into the work of making the whole meal. This five-ingredient mac and cheese does both. It’s simple, it’s cheesy, and it leaves room in the oven for the other dishes our family looks forward to.

The Convenience of the Slow Cooker

In a world where time is precious, the slow cooker comes to the rescue. This recipe lets you set the stage and forget about it until the aroma of melting cheeses and savory goodness fills your kitchen.

If you’re new to the slow cooker, or looking for a new one, this is the one that I know, love, and recommend. It’s treated me well through the years, travels well, and has automatic shut off/timer.

FOR MORE EASY HOLIDAY RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:

• The Ultimate Christmas Cookie Video
• Must Try No bake Holiday Treats!
• Christmas Slow Cooker Recipes

MORE HOLIDAY RECIPES TO TRY:

• Turkey Tenderloin in the Crockpot
• Air Fryer Butternut Squash With Candied Pecans
• Pumpkin Crunch cake
• Apple Baked Brie Bites

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