Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
When I tasted this Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe I thought to myself OMG where have you been all my life!! It is now one of our favorite crock pot recipes.
This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is a Bob Evans copycat mac and cheese recipe that tastes amazing. This is one of our favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes.
And honestly, if mom ever did make homemade macaroni and cheese she didn’t make it in a crock pot.
Bob Evans Copycat Mac and Cheese recipe
The closest I can come to describing the rich and creamy flavor of this Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe is that it reminds me of Bob Evans mac and cheese recipe.
I had a serious addiction to the Bob Evans Homestyle mac and cheese you could buy at the grocery store. It was sold in the refrigerator section.
I ate that stuff about once a week. And then for some reason, the stores here quit selling it.
Lucky for me because I probably gained 10 pounds because of that Bob Evans Mac & Cheese.
I almost fell off the wagon today because of this crock pot Copycat Bob Evans Mac and Cheese recipe.
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
My family loves homemade macaroni and cheese.
This Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe has become a favorite Thanksgiving dinner side dish recipe.
Once I started making this crock pot macaroni and cheese recipe with Velveeta my family started expecting it every Thanksgiving.
Now it has become a family tradition for me to make this cheesy crock pot macaroni and cheese recipe for Thanksgiving dinner.
Usually, I use my (affiliate links) 6-quart crock pot but today I used the smaller 4-quart crock pot. It worked very well in cooking the macaroni and keeping the cheese warm and gooey.
If you end up using a bigger 6 or 7-quart crock pot keep an eye on it. It will cook faster and may start to burn along the edges of the crock pot. It will only take about 2 hours to cook.
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese for a crowd
If you are feeding a big crowd you can double the recipe but you will need to use at least an 8-quart crock pot to cook it. Or if you have two smaller crock pots you could just make two crock pots of this recipe.
How to make Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 oz box Large Elbow Macaroni
- 16 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 12 oz Velveeta Cheese, cut into cubes
- 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 cup half and half or milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Directions
- Boil elbow macaroni for 5 minutes, drain and put into the crock pot.
- Add 12 ounces of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, reserving 4 ounces.
- Add the Velveeta cheese, the evaporated milk, half and half or milk if using and the salt and pepper to the crock pot and stir well.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours occasionally stirring until the macaroni is cooked through. If it starts to look dry add 1/2 cup of half and half or milk. (see notes)
- 30 minutes before the end of cooking time add the remaining 4 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar to the top of the mac and cheese.
- Cover the crock pot and cook until the cheese is melted.
- Turn the crock pot to the warm setting and serve as needed.
- 8 or more servings.
You can start with uncooked macaroni for this recipe. When I made my Crock Pot Baked Ziti I started with uncooked pasta so I know the pasta will cook. But if you are starting with uncooked pasta for this Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe I would increase the amount of half and half (or milk) a 1/2 cup and keep an eye on it.
Print the Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe below
Print Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 Servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe
Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese made with Velveeta is a Bob Evans copycat mac and cheese recipe perfect for a holiday side dish.
Ingredients
- 16 oz box Large Elbow Macaroni
- 16 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 12 oz Velveeta Cheese, cut into cubes
- 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 cup half and half or milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Boil elbow macaroni for 5 minutes, drain and put into the crock pot.
- Add 12 ounces of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, reserving 4 ounces.
- Add the Velveeta cheese, the evaporated milk, half and half or milk if using and the salt and pepper to the crock pot and stir well.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours occasionally stirring until the macaroni is cooked through. If it starts to look dry add 1/2 cup of half and half or milk. (see notes)
- 30 minutes before the end of cooking time add the remaining 4 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar to the top of the mac and cheese.
- Cover the crock pot and cook until the cheese is melted.
- Turn the crock pot to the warm setting and serve as needed.
- 8 or more servings.
Notes
Crock Pots can heat and cooked differently depending on the size and brand used. Some have hot spots that may cause scorching of the thick cheese sauce.
Occasionally stir the macaroni and cheese to prevent scorching. If it starts to look like the cheese is getting scorched or too thick the macaroni and cheese may start drying out before the macaroni has cooked completely add 1/2 cup of half and half or milk as needed.
- Category: Crock Pot Recipes
- Method: Crock Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 424
Keywords: crock pot macaroni and cheese with Velveeta, Bob Evans copycat mac and cheese recipe, crock pot macaroni and cheese recipe
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Julie Wood
April 24, 2015 at 9:26 amI have not had luck making homemade Macaroni and cheese. But I have not made it in the Crock Pot! This recipe looks so delicious and I am going to try and make this. Thanks for sharing another awesome recipe!
★★★★★
Arlene Mobley
April 24, 2015 at 10:55 amJulie
You should have no problem with this recipe. It turned out amazing. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!
Lori Mayfield
March 23, 2016 at 8:12 pmSo no butter in this recipe?? I’ve seen others that require butter, just making sure. Thank you. Trying it tomorrow for a funeral dinner.
Arlene Mobley
March 23, 2016 at 10:03 pmNo butter in this recipe Lori. Enjoy!
Heather
May 3, 2016 at 6:27 pmHi I accidentally bought heavy whipping cream instead of evaporated milk. Will that still work? Sorry I’m new to cooking
Arlene Mobley
May 3, 2016 at 10:43 pmHeather
You could try it and see how it turns out. I have substituted other dairy products in other recipes and they have turned out just fine.
Kylie
April 30, 2015 at 8:58 amTHISSSSS looks so good!! I am a HUGE mac n cheese fan. I need to try this!!
Arlene Mobley
April 30, 2015 at 10:20 amKylie
Thanks so much it was pretty tasty!
Maureen
May 5, 2015 at 1:40 amWho doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? Of course non! Everybody loves macaroni and cheese. And your crock-pot version of this dish is so amazing. It’s so cheesy! I love it!
Arlene Mobley
May 5, 2015 at 11:06 pmMaureen
I hope you get a chance to try this recipe!
Judy @ Contented at Home
May 5, 2015 at 9:44 pmThe slow cooker is a homeschool mom’s best friend – and this recipe looks like a delicious addition to our menu plan! 🙂
Arlene Mobley
May 5, 2015 at 11:04 pmJudy
It was delicious and I hope you enjoy it!
Colletta
May 6, 2015 at 3:34 pmI love mac-n-cheese! This looks delicious!
I hope you can stop by:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2015/05/weigh-in-wednesday-5615.html
Colletta
Arlene Mobley
May 6, 2015 at 10:57 pmThank you Colletta!
swathi
May 11, 2015 at 11:58 amDelicious Macraoni and cheese,thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning.
Britta
May 13, 2015 at 4:34 pmThis looks RIDICULOUSLY yummy! And in a crockpot? Awesome.
This delicious recipe has been selected as a featured post for Family Fun Fridays! Stop by brittalafont,com (recipe hostess) after 1pm PST Thursday to grab your “I was featured” button. Already pinned it!
★★★★★
Colleen W.
August 12, 2015 at 2:56 pmthere’s a typo in the mac & cheese~~ It says a “cane of evaporated milk” and probably should be “can”
Arlene Mobley
August 12, 2015 at 10:04 pmColleen
Thanks! I’ll get that fixed right away.
WalterG.
October 9, 2015 at 12:59 pmYou have one ingredient list that has 1 cup half & half or milk. Your ingredient list in the box just has half & half, no milk. Can milk be used? I will be making this Sat. for my son.
Arlene Mobley
October 9, 2015 at 7:01 pmHi Walter
I used the half and half for my recipe but if you don’t have half and half you can use milk instead.Either one will work fine.
Samantha
November 12, 2015 at 3:08 pmCould I double this recipe? Making for a large football potluck as a side to pulled pork and I suspect this will be popular; it sounds so good!
Thanks!
Arlene Mobley
November 12, 2015 at 6:34 pmSamantha
I am sure you could just make sure you use a big enough crock pot. I made this recipe in a 4-quart crock pot.
Dino
November 23, 2015 at 4:18 pmCan I use regular sized elbow macaroni? Or do it have to be large? Thanks
Arlene Mobley
November 23, 2015 at 11:59 pmYes you could use regular elbow but the cooking time will be shorter.
Brittney
November 12, 2015 at 7:16 pmI have never used evaporated milk in a mac n cheese recipe. What is the benefit of using it?
Arlene Mobley
November 13, 2015 at 10:35 pmBrittany
I think it lends and extra creaminess to the mac and cheese.
sarah
November 23, 2015 at 6:59 pmI doubled the recipe when I made it for about 15 young adults. This was a side dish, and it was inhaled! Thanks so much for sharing.
★★★★★
Arlene Mobley
November 23, 2015 at 11:58 pmSarah
Glad to hear the recipe was a hit!
Kelli
November 24, 2015 at 5:35 pmI need to make a side for turkey day. There will be 36 wish ppl. A majority little kids. Do u think doubling it would be enough?
Arlene Mobley
November 24, 2015 at 8:12 pmKelli
If every single person will be having a serving, I am not sure if double would be enough. But hey if the crock pot is scraped clean then you know the recipe is a hit and everyone will be begging you to make it again next year. Have a Happy Turkey Day!
KelliKelli
November 24, 2015 at 8:20 pmThank you! I highly doubt everyone will. But I may male a triple batch anyway : . Thanks so much! Happy holidays.
Arlene Mobley
November 25, 2015 at 12:44 pmKelli
Enjoy the holiday and recipe! I’ll be making this one myself tomorrow. The family loves it!
Shelby
November 25, 2015 at 10:04 amHi. I was really dislike using Velveeta (had a bad experience with it my mom in law shouldn’t be allowed in a kitchen) could I just use more regular cheese and a little more milk and butter? I really want too use this recipe it looks great.
Arlene Mobley
November 25, 2015 at 12:43 pmShelby
You could try it but the Velveeta is what helps make it creamy.
nathan
December 10, 2015 at 1:41 pminstead of velveeta block cheese i am using just shredded cheese. i will let you all know how it comes out
Melissa
December 14, 2015 at 6:22 amDid it work out? I can’t find velveeta and I don’t like the idea of cooking with food “products.” Hope it was good!
Laurie
December 13, 2015 at 9:24 amI brought this to a family party. Adults & kids alike snarfed it up. Not only is it delicious, but simple & easy as well! This is my new “go-to” Mac ‘n cheese!
★★★★★
Arlene Mobley
December 13, 2015 at 4:13 pmLaurie
So glad to hear my Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe was a hit!
Allison B
December 14, 2015 at 7:33 amI doubled this in my 6 qt crock pot and made it for a Christmas party yesterday. It was a lot of mac and cheese but that was a good thing! Everyone raved about it saying they had 2nds and 3rds! Thanks for the great recipe!!! Definitely a keeper!
★★★★★
Arlene Mobley
December 14, 2015 at 11:35 amAllison
I love to get comments from happy readers! Thank you. It is one of my families favorite recipes.
Jenn
December 27, 2015 at 3:02 pmThis may seem like a dumb question, But do I cook it with the lid on or off?
Arlene Mobley
December 27, 2015 at 8:50 pmJenn
Cook with the lid on.
mike
December 28, 2015 at 7:57 pmcan you cook on high heat?
Arlene Mobley
December 28, 2015 at 9:44 pmMike
This recipe cooks pretty fast on the low setting. If you were to cook it on high the pasta may over cook. If you try it let me know how it turns out.
TallBoy
February 13, 2016 at 11:21 amTrying this tonight. But curious: why boil the mac first? I mean, you’re cooking it for 3 hours…does 5 minutes of boiling really matter?
Arlene Mobley
February 13, 2016 at 12:29 pmI’ve done both. The recipe turns out fine both ways.
Brittany
June 16, 2016 at 10:03 amCan you use one of the crock pot plastic bags with this?
Arlene Mobley
June 16, 2016 at 4:29 pmHi Brittany
I have never used the crock pot liners so I can’t say if it will work or not. Sorry!
Paula M
December 23, 2017 at 8:01 amI don’t have any evaporated milk. Can I leave this out or add more milk?
Arlene Mobley
December 23, 2017 at 4:01 pmPaula
Yes you can substitute milk for the evaporated milk but it is going to change the flavor and the creaminess slightly.
★★★★★