Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese

This slow cooker macaroni cheese is so easy to make. Dry macaroni (that's right, no need to pre-cook the pasta!), milk, cheeses and a few other secret ingredients go in, and after a few hours, out comes a creamy cheesy slow cooked macaroni cheese. Preparation time is less than 10 minutes.

MACARONI CHEESE MADE IN THE SLOW COOKER

This slow cooker macaroni cheese requires no pre-cooking of the pasta (like so many other recipes do).

It's a chuck it all in, give it a stir and leave it kind of dish, which is the kind of recipe I love on busy weekdays.

The other benefit of this recipe is that it only takes about 2 hours to cook on high. So, just pop it on when you get back from the school-run, and it will be ready by dinner time.

CAN I MAKE THIS SLOW COOKER MACARONI CHEESE ON THE HOB?

Unfortunately this recipe isn't suitable for the hob as it has been specifically developed for use in the slow cooker.

If you'd like to make a traditional macaroni cheese, then I suggest you follow my recipe for Cheesy Macaroni, which is made on the hob.

WHAT PASTA TO USE?

Macaroni is the best pasta shape to use for this dish as it cooks quickly in the slow cooker. If you can get hold of elbow macaroni that would also work.

Avoid large pasta shapes like Penne or Rigatoni as they would require a change to the liquid quantities in the recipe.

OTHER MACARONI CHEESE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Best (Hawaiian) Macaroni Cheese is basically my favourite pizza in pasta form. Think sweet pineapple, salty ham and creamy mozzarella, bound up in a cheesy pasta bake. It's delicious!

Chorizo Mac and Cheese - a Spanish style twist on this classic recipe.

Pressure King Pro Macaroni Cheese is made in my electric pressure cooker in a matter of minutes. Great for a quick mid week meal.

Honey Ale Macaroni Cheese has quite an adult taste given the slight bitterness of the ale. Hubby and I absolutely love it with gammon.

Sweet Potato and Feta Macaroni Cheese has an amazing flavour contrast between the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and saltiness of the feta cheese. One of my personal favourites.

PIN THE SLOW COOKER MACARONI CHEESE

Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese #slowcooker #crockpot #macaronicheese

TOP TIPS FOR MAKING MACARONI CHEESE IN THE SLOW COOKER

Vary the cheeses. Gruyere would work well, and if you were cooking this for adults some crumbled blue cheese would taste fab too.

I often serve the macaroni cheese with homemade Cornflake chicken nuggets and salad, for an easy and frugal meal, the kids LOVE!

If you like things with a bit of heat, add half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper at the same time as the smoked paprika.

Unfortunately this macaroni cheese isn't suitable for freezing. It's best eaten straight from the slow cooker.

PLEASE BE AWARE...

The macaroni cheese will look thin with the butter floating on top, until the last 20 minutes or so of cooking. Give it a stir after an hour and a half and you will be rewarded with a glossy thick cheese sauce at the end of cooking.

Every slow cooker is different. The recipe took 2 hours on high in my slow cooker, but I suggest checking after 90 minutes. Be careful, the dish can go from cooked to overcooked quite quickly!

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Place your uncooked macaroni in the bottom of your slow cooker basin, making sure the basin has been buttered.

Pour in the milk (I used whole milk but semi skimmed would also work) and the tin of evaporated milk and give it a quick stir.

Then it's time for some cream cheese. I suggest using full fat if possible.

Now it's time for some slightly unusual ingredients!

MARMITE - THE SECRET INGREDIENT

Whether you love it or hate it, Marmite is one of the secret ingredients in this slow cooker macaroni cheese, that takes it to the next level of yumminess.

We're very much a Marmite loving household and I add it to a lot of my recipes - french onion soup, bolognese and my kids favourite meal is Marmite pasta.

Vegemite would also work or even a dash of Worcestershire sauce!

Personalised Marmite Jar from Engravers Guild

As well as Marmite you also need to add cider vinegar (it really helps to bring out the cheesy flavour), garlic granules, smoked paprika and Dijon mustard. Then it's time for some butter.

Finally add your cheese. I used grated extra mature cheddar and some Parmesan. Gruyere would also work well.

Give everything a good stir and pop it on high for about 2 hours, but check after 90 minutes and give it another stir.

Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese ready to cook

The macaroni cheese is now ready for serving! I usually serve it with some veggies or salad and garlic bread. You can also sprinkle some chopped parsley on at this point if you wish.

Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese ready for serving

SLOW COOKER SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN

This is another yummy recipe for the slow cooker that the kids will LOVE! But if you want to know how to make this macaroni cheese in your slow cooker, read on to find out.

This Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese recipe features in a fabulous 50 easy school night dinners round-up over on Effortless Foodie! Do take a look, there is some great inspiration for stress-free weeknight meals.

Slow Cooker Macaoni Cheese, Macaroni Cheese in the Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker

Pasta

Yield: 4

Author: Beth Sachs