This weekend was all about soups, but it was time to shake things up a bit and end it with a little mac and cheese. More specifically, Slow Cooker Creamy Mac and Cheese with Bacon. In case you thought I was just sharing my love of all things cheese you would be right, but it is also because today is National Cheese Lovers Day. We have a day people! I have joined with my other blogging friends to bring you the best cheesy recipes ever!
Check out this list of cheesy goodness! I can't decide what I will make first!
Chicken Madeira by House of Nash Eats Gooey, Gorgeous Raclette from Culinary Adventures with Camilla Easy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake from Cooking For My Soul Extra Cheese Garlic Bread from Karen’s Kitchen Stories Slow Cooker Creamy Mac and Cheese with Bacon from Cheese Curd in Paradise Baked Parmesan Cheddar Crisps from Blogghetti Smoky White Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip from Food Above Gold Layered Chili Mac and Cheese from Palatable Pastime Cheese Danish from Kate’s Recipe Box Macaroni and Cheese Pierogi from The Spiffy Cookie Waffled Pizza Bites from Jolene’s Recipe Journal Pizza Grilled Cheese from A Day in the Life on the Farm Sweet Gherkin Pimento Cheese Spread from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice Easy Cheese Sauce from The Gingered Whisk Creamy Homemade White Cheddar Mac n Cheese from Jonesin’ for Taste Adjaruli Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) from Caroline’s Cooking Cheese Charcuterie and Pickled Onions from Our Good Life
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Slow cooker mac and cheese is a game changer. If you have not tried it you must! I have seen some recipes that require cooking the pasta prior to putting it in the slow cooker, but mine mixes everything together and it cooks in about 2 hours.
I have a few notes in the recipe, but will put the info here as well. Slow cookers can heat differently depending on brand and age. When this recipe gets in the last 30 minutes it is recommended to check you pasta to prevent from being over or undercooked, or if it needs a stir. I have made this many times, and had great results, but make sure that you keep an eye on the pasta towards the end to ensure a creamy and dreamy mac and cheese.
My recipe uses 3 different grated cheeses and, my secret weapon, cream cheese. This mac and cheese is so rich and so creamy! I recommend that you grate you own cheese for this dish because the pre-shredded has a powder on it to prevent the cheese from sticking together, and I found when testing this recipe the melty quality of the cheese is better with hand grated. That being said, it will work fine and be very tasty with pre-shredded, but I think the texture is not as good.
I love this recipe because I can make it for a crowd when entertaining at home, or I can make it and take it to a gathering very easily. Plus there is bacon- the forever crowd pleaser.
I am a Wisconsin girl and am wondering, what are your favorite recipes or cheeses? Do you love mac and cheese or maybe cheese right off the block. Or even cheese curds....
Similar Recipes:
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 3 ½ cups whole milk
- 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 4 oz cream cheese, diced
- 1 ½ cups mild cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese, grated
- 1 cup processed american cheese, cubed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup butter diced
- 8 strips center cut bacon, chopped
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients in to the slow cooker. Stir well. Cook on low and cover.
- Stir after 60 minutes and replace cover.
- Cook on low for an additional 60. The total cook time is 2 hours. Slow cookers can run warmer and I advise to check the pasta at the 90 minute mark.
- Just before the pasta is done cooking, cook bacon till crisp and set aside.
- Stir, top with bacon, and serve.
Terri Steffes
I'm seriously drooling here. This looks incredible and I cannot wait to make it. Adding it to my menu now.
Karen
This looks divine! I love that the pasta cooks in the slow cooker.
Lisa Kerhin
Drooling over this! I haven't had mac and cheese in ages but I think it's time!
Tania Lau
Oh my goodness, that mac and cheese looks absolutely delicious!
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
Yum! The next time I work from home, I'm definitely making this!!!
Jolene
MMMM, bacon! Thank you for helping me to make my 2019 cooking resolution to use my slow cooker more a reality!
Amy Nash
YUM. This sounds so good and I love that you can put the pasta in uncooked. Also, I love that cream cheese is your secret weapon in this mac and cheese recipe!
Claudia Lamascolo
this sounds wonderful I love slow cooker recipes, mac and cheese is pure comfort food that everyone will love
Danielle Wolter
I want this more than all the things in the world right now. It sounds incredible!!
Mahy Elamin
Thank you for this! Finally! A mac & cheese recipe that tastes just like the dish Mom used to make. And just way too quick and easy. My family sends their gratitude!
Mackenzie
I've never used evaporated milk in a mac and cheese recipe, but I understand now why it's so creamy! Plus, you can never go wrong with bacon!
Marisa Franca
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! I'm seeing so many Instant Pot recipes that it is a welcome change to see a slow cooker one. Now mac and cheese WITH bacon is certainly a crowd pleaser. I've never thought of making it in the slow cooker. A great idea instead of putting it in a casserole dish especially if you're taking it somewhere. Will have to try it out.
Catalina
Bacon makes everything better, doesn't it? This mac and cheese look fabulous and so creamy! A must try recipe!
Jenni LeBaron
This is so decadent and creamy looking and I love that you can throw it all in the slow cooker so it's nice and easy.
Jere Cassidy
First of all these mac and cheese looks amazing. I love the fact that the macaroni cooks in the slow cooker so no precooking. I am a cheese lover so all this cheese cooked together just sounds so delicious.
Gloria
I'll take mac n' cheese any way I can get it. In the slow cooker....AND bacon...even BETTER! This would be a family favourite for sure. Right from the very first bite.
Amanda
I'm always looking for good slow cooker recipes, and this mac and cheese fits the bill! It looks so decadent, and then you throw bacon on it to make it even better. So good!
Candiss
This Mac and Cheese looks delicious. Bacon is great in everything and being able to make this in a slow cooker makes it a great dish when you have a lot of other things going on!
Stine Mari
Adding bacon makes mac and cheese so much better! This sounds so flavorful and tasty, love that you used four different cheeses. It's all about the cheese, right!
Jacqueline Debono
I never thought to make mac and cheese in the slow cooker! Sounds like a great way to make it!
Dianna
What a great combination of mac n cheese and bacon. I know my family would love this recipe. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Linda
I love a good, creamy, and comforting mac-n-cheese like this. And I need to make sure to make it a double batch. Mac-n-cheese + bacon make a perfect pair!
Jori
I can't tell you how much I order the bacon mac and cheese from Potbelly's. I can save so much by whipping up a big batch of these babies instead!
Lathiya
The Mac and cheese looks fabulous..I believe making in slow cooker makes the dish burst with flavors...
April
I agree - it was a complete soup week for me! And although I didn't end it with tasty mac and cheese, I would love to make this slow cooker version some time next month!
Mimi
Such a yummy recipe! I am in love with mac'n'cheese! I cook them often and let me tell you this - I never get tired of it. Such an incredible taste that can't be found elsewhere.
Kelly Anthony
Wow this slow cooker mac and cheese looks delicious. This is as easy as cooking the box mac and cheese but ten times tastier.
Maman de sara
That looks delicious, I need to get me a slow cooker!
Geetanjali
The mac and cheese looks super delicious! I always love slw cooker dishes. I would love to make it sometime.
Krista Price
Rats! I totally dropped the ball on National Cheese Day! *FACE PALM* ...guess I'm going to have to celebrate a few days late with this mac and cheese. It looks so good! Love that it's prepared in a slow cooker!
Haley
That looks so creamy and cheesy. I need to make this recipe.
Heather
Haha I’m such a dummy and didn’t read the entire directions but following step by step. Which means I put even the uncooked bacon into the crock pot! Hopefully it turns out fine but I’ve definitely learned from this experience 🙂
Ashley Lecker
Oh oops! I am sure it will be cooked. It will not get crisp, but will still be good.
Hayley
I love this recipe but want to make it or a potluck tomorrow. Do you have any suggestions on when to make and serve it?
My work does not have an oven or stove to reheat, so I will be bringing the crockpot to work.
Thank you!
Ashley Lecker
I am so happy you are giving it a try! If you are making it in advance it will be fine on a warm setting in the slow cooker once the recipe cook time is completed. I would not keep it at low because it might get a little too done. You could bring a little milk with you if you need to slightly thin the sauce if it is on warm for a bit.
Julie Smith
Do you think I can double this in a large crockpot? Eight servings isn’t enough for our potluck! Thanks.
Ashley Lecker
The 8 servings are for a full serving and not as a side. I would say this is closer to 10-12 as a side dish. I have not doubled it before, but it can fit in a large crockpot if you double it.
Megan G
Wanting to make this but I’m Canadian so I need a sub for American cheese....could I just use extra cheddar?
Ashley Lecker
Do you have a velveeta like soft cheese? That would work well. Those cheeses make it nice and creamy. Cheddar will work too, but i'd use a mild cheddar or a monterrey jack will work well.
Allyson
I am making this dish and am at the 60 min mark. The crockpot is still hard noodles and liquid. It it like a soup. Is this correct? Also, there won’t be an issue with eating it when milk is put in in the beginning right? Like won’t make my family sick? Should I up the temperature to high? Thank you!!!
Ashley Lecker
When I make this is typically takes 2 hours. As noted in the recipe, slow cooker temps can be a little different. I check at the 90 minute mark as well. If your slow cooker runs a little cooler you might need to increase cooking time. How did it turn out for you?
Hezzi-D
I love homemade mac and cheese and making it in the slow cooker is such a smart idea!
Casey
Do I need to cook the noodles first?
Ashley Lecker
Nope!