Description
Paula Deen’s Crockpot Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort food classic made easy with the help of a slow cooker. This recipe combines cooked elbow pasta with a rich mixture of cheeses, cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, and spices, resulting in a luscious and satisfying dish perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni and Cheese
- 2 cups uncooked elbow pasta
- 3 ½ tablespoons butter
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (10 ¾ oz) can cheddar cheese soup
- 1 ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the elbow pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Melt Cheese and Butter: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and stir until fully melted and combined, creating a smooth cheese mixture.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the melted cheese and butter mixture to the slow cooker pot. Add the canned cheddar cheese soup and sour cream, stirring them into the cheese mixture until well blended.
- Add Pasta and Seasonings: Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the slow cooker. Pour in the milk and add the mustard powder, salt, and paprika. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the cheesy sauce and seasonings.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 2 hours. Stir once or twice during the cooking process if possible to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Serve: Once cooked and bubbly, serve the mac and cheese hot as a comforting main or side dish.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, you can stir in a little more milk if the mac and cheese thickens too much during cooking.
- Feel free to add cooked bacon or diced jalapeños for a flavor twist.
- Keep an eye on the slow cooker near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking or drying out.
- You can substitute the cheddar cheese soup with homemade cheese sauce for a fresher taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Paula Deen, Crockpot Mac and Cheese, slow cooker mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta
