Slow Cooker 4 Cheese Macaroni
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Easy, creamy, Slow Cooker 4 Cheese Macaroni – a fun twist on an old classic made right in your crockpot!
Get more tasty recipes out of your slow cooker with my Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole, and Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo.
Wow, I feel like it has been ages since I’ve posted a slow cooker recipe. And by ages I mean weeks. Which is the equivalent of ages in blog time. Because I am a borderline crockpot addict and usually have to post at least 1 (if not 5) slow cooker recipes per week to keep my needs satisfied.
I can’t help myself. A crockpot is a beautiful thing.
Look at all of that CREAMY cheese sauce! It makes me want to face-plant right into this bowl of deliciousness. Just looking at it makes me want to swoon.
You had me at four cheese.
We had my sister and nephew over last night for dinner and this is what I served. I told them I was making “fancy mac n’ cheese”. My sister is a pasta-lover of the most obsessive kind and my nephew, well he’s 15.
Enough said.
This entire pot of 4 cheese macaroni was demolished by the end of the meal. My nephew probably put away a good half of it (growing boys. what can ya do) but even so, we each had a big fat helping of this dreamy stuff and snarfed it down in no time.
You know what else? I’m thinking this dish could be the answer to bridging that gap between what the grownups want for dinner, and the only things they can get their picky little eaters to go for.
Macaroni magic.
What people are saying about this Slow Cooker 4 Cheese Macaroni
“I just made this tonight for dinner and yum-o! I was worried at the hour point when I added the mustard, garlic and salt because it was really runny but it thickened up nicely in that last 20 minutes. I also tweaked it at the end – I put each serving in it’s own oven safe bowl, topped it with panko bread crumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan and put it under the broiler for a couple of minutes and it upped the amazing by a million percent. Thanks for the recipe!!!” – Nicole
“AMAZING!! I’m so happy!! First one I’ve had that didn’t look dry and clumpy. It was done sooner, probably could have pulled it at 1:20, so I added the seasonings a big earlier. I did use some extra milk toward the end. A little kick of cayenne and nutmeg went nicely. Also skipped Gruyere because the store didn’t have it so used extra cheddar, havarti and some parm.” – Lauren
Slow Cooker 4 Cheese Macaroni
Ingredients
- 12-14 ounces macaroni elbows , (uncooked)
- 1 ⅔ cup milk
- 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese , (sliced or shredded)
- 4 ounces creamy havarti cheese , (sliced or shredded)
- 2-4 ounces gruyere cheese
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt, (or to taste)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- optional: grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for topping
Instructions
- Add macaroni, milks, and cheeses to slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 1 hour.
- After one hour add ground mustard, salt, and garlic powder. Stir to combine. Cover and cook 20-30 minutes longer. Check to see if macaroni is tender and cheese is fully melted. If needed, cover and cook 15-30 minutes longer. Serve warm and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe adapted from Host the Toast
Would I be able to cook this on a stove top? If so, what would the time conversion be?
You totally can- just cook the noodles before in water, drain and then keep going with the cheeses and such!
Do I still need the milk and evaporated milk?
Yes
Am I still using the milks? And when should I add them? Also would the cook time be the same
This is my 3rd year in a row making this for thanksgiving because its easy and a huge hit! Considering switching from elbows to shells this year, has anyone tried that?
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Can I cook the pasta a little before putting it in the crockpot?
I recommend that you don’t 🙂
ok thank you!
How cool that i can Just put them in and tHe crock poT does the resT!
Love this recipe. Havent seen a response to the Question about doubling. Do you beed to change the cooking time?
It will probably require more cooking time but not twice as long. I suggest checking and stirring every additional 15-20 minutes.
GREAT TASTE! BUT TRULY HEAVY. 3 BITES & I WAS DONE. iF i DO THIS ONE AGAIN, WILL TRIM THE CHEESE BACK & USE HALF N HALF, AS WELL AS MORE THAN A POUND OF PASTA.
aND, BY THE WAY, i’M A BIG PERSON, AND NOT USED TO SMALL PORTIONS. vERY RICH. 1/4 CUP WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH.
Thanks for your input 🙂
Tips for reheating? i’ve made this recipe twIce and we enjoy it but I’m having trouble getting the cheese to re-melt in a nice waY when i reheat in the microwave. Thanks!
I typically like to reheat mac and cheese in the oven if I’ve got the time!
How do you measure 4 oz. of cheese? Is it 1/4 or 1/2 cup or something like that? I would like to make this, but don’t know how to measure in oz. Thanks Janice
It should say on the package!
Hi there! First off, I just want to say how much i love, love, LOVE, your recipes!!! I am yet to find one that my family doesn’t just love. I have celiac disease, and have been able to easily adapt most of your recipes to my needs. Wondering if you think GF pasta would work in this recipe? I’ve been looking for keeper mac & cheese, and would love to try this one. Thank you for sharing all of your delicious recipes!!
Hi Lizzy – I think that a GF pasta would still work great in this recipe!
I have made this with GF pasta. Worked great!
Thanks for your input, Nancy!
No problem. We are always adjusting recipes to make them gluten free for my nephew and he and his wife both love mac n cheese! Right now I have a pot of this recipe cooking in my slow cooker here at work for a dinner party tonight!
I hope that you love it!
I’m making this for thanksgiving this year. But I’m doubling the recipe. Should l’ double the recipe?
Double the cooking time**