Imagine creating the creamiest, most decadent mac and cheese without ever turning on a stovetop or boiling a single pot of water. This revolutionary No-Boil Crockpot Mac and Cheese is about to change your comfort food game forever! Perfect for busy families, lazy weekends, or when you're craving a foolproof, crowd-pleasing dish that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Get ready to become the mac and cheese hero your friends and family never knew they needed!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grease the inside of your crockpot thoroughly with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the crockpot, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the pot.
- Cube the butter into small, uniform pieces and distribute them evenly over the macaroni.
- Sprinkle the garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the macaroni and butter.
- Pour the milk slowly and evenly over the entire surface of the macaroni, ensuring all pasta is moistened.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the milk and macaroni, covering the entire surface.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set to low heat setting.
- Cook for 2 hours without stirring, allowing the pasta to absorb the liquid and cheese to melt completely.
- After 2 hours, remove the lid and gently stir the mac and cheese to ensure even distribution of cheese and sauce.
- Let the mac and cheese rest uncovered for 10-15 minutes to thicken before serving.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality shredded cheese for the best melting and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese can contain anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- For extra richness, consider mixing different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, monterey jack, or gruyère.
- Make sure to grease your crockpot thoroughly to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Resist the urge to stir during cooking - the magic happens when you let the ingredients slowly meld together.
- If the mac and cheese seems too thick after cooking, you can stir in a little warm milk to reach your desired consistency.
- For a crispy top, transfer the finished mac and cheese to a baking dish and broil for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 624kcal
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 21g
Cholesterol: 99mg
