Crockpot’s No-Boil Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• Butter (melted, for brushing the slow cooker)
• 1 lb Elbow macaroni (dry, uncooked)
• 0.5 stick Butter (cut into pieces)
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 1 cup Milk (plus more at the end to adjust texture)
• 2 can Evaporated milk (12 oz cans)
• 6 American cheese (slices, helps the sauce stay smooth)
• 2 cup Mac and cheese cheese blend (shredded; author used a mix of a specialty mac blend and a Mexican blend)
• Garlic salt (to taste)
• Dry mustard (to taste)
• Onion powder (to taste)
• Garlic powder (to taste)
• Smoked paprika (to taste, for color and flavor)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Melt a small amount of butter in the microwave and use a brush to coat the inside of the slow cooker insert to prevent sticking.

2. 2

   Pour 1 pound of uncooked elbow macaroni into the prepared slow cooker.

3. 3

   Add half a stick of butter, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1 cup of milk to the pot.

4. 4

   Pour in two cans of evaporated milk.

5. 5

   Add 6 slices of American cheese. You do not need to cut them into strips as they will melt easily.

6. 6

   Add approximately 2 cups of shredded cheese (a mix of macaroni blend and Mexican blend).

7. 7

   Season the mixture with garlic salt, dry mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

8. 8

   Give the ingredients a quick stir to combine.

9. 9

   Cover with the lid and cook on the LOW setting for 2 hours.

10. 10

    Once the time is up, stir the macaroni and cheese. If it is too thick, add a splash of milk until you reach your desired consistency.

11. 11

    Optional: For a baked finish, transfer a portion to a pie pan, top with more shredded cheese, and place in an air fryer or under a broiler until the cheese is melted and browned.

Notes

The American cheese is essential for the texture of the sauce; it acts as an emulsifier to keep the cheese from breaking or becoming grainy. This recipe is designed to be disability-friendly by eliminating the need for boiling water or using the stovetop.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• side dish
• slow-cooked
• vegetarian
• comfort food
• Thanksgiving
• no-boil
• disability-friendly