Description
This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe offers a creamy, comforting twist on a classic favorite using simple ingredients and slow cooking. Perfect for a hearty family meal, it features a rich blend of cheeses and a hint of sriracha for a subtle kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 375 grams uncooked macaroni (1 box, white with fiber)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Dairy
- 354 ml evaporated or whole milk (about 1 ⅓ cups)
- 1 ¾ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces)
- 2 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (175 g)
Other
- ½ teaspoon sriracha sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Crock Pot: Spray a 2.5 to 4 quart crock pot with nonstick spray to prevent sticking during cooking.
- Add Ingredients: Pour the dry macaroni into the crock pot. Add evaporated milk, chicken broth, butter pieces, salt, sriracha sauce, ground mustard, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine, breaking up butter pieces as much as possible, though some chunkiness is expected.
- Cook Macaroni: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 1 hour. After 1 hour, stir well to break up any clumps. Replace cover and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes or until the macaroni is al dente and slightly firm.
- Add Cheeses: Cut the room temperature cream cheese into very small pieces and stir it into the macaroni along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow the cheeses to melt smoothly.
- Serve: Stir well to combine melted cheeses evenly, then serve the creamy mac and cheese warm.
Notes
- Using evaporated milk helps create a creamier texture compared to regular milk.
- Low sodium chicken broth allows you to control the salt level in the dish.
- You can substitute sriracha with a milder hot sauce or omit it if you prefer no spice.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to ensure it melts evenly.
- If stovetop cooking is preferred, use a heavy-bottomed pot and frequently stir to prevent sticking and burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
