No Boil Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
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This crockpot macaroni and cheese is made without having to boil the macaroni. So good and so easy! This post was originally published in 2018 and has been updated.
When you need a side dish that everyone will love, this Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese is always a winner. It’s creamy, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients. Just mix everything together in the slow cooker and let it do the work while you prepare the rest of your meal.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner, attending a neighborhood potluck, feeding a crowd at a family reunion, or planning a game day menu, this easy crockpot macaroni and cheese stays warm and creamy for hours. It’s a stress-free recipe that’s perfect for busy cooks who want delicious results with very little hands-on time.
Why Try this Recipe
This macaroni and cheese recipe can be made very easily. You do not need to precook the pasta, just toss everything into the slow cooker. Simple and time-saving which are two of my favorite things!
I love this easy crock pot recipe, because I can just throw everything into the pot and let it go. There is absolutely no need to pre-boil the pasta.
Ingredients
- large elbow macaroni
- heavy whipping cream
- milk
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- butter
- salt
How To Make No Boil Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Lightly oil sides and bottom of slow cooker. Place all ingredients into a crockpot or slow cooker and stir so that the cheese is not just sitting on top of the pasta.
Step 1
Step 1 – Place ingredients in a greased or lined crock pot.
Step 2 – Cook on low for two hours it will be ready before you know it. Be sure to stir it up before serving. It is so rich and creamy and super easy!
Time Saving Tips
- Shred the cheese the night before and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to make prep even faster.
- Measure all of your ingredients ahead of time so everything is ready to add to the slow cooker.
- Use a slow cooker liner for incredibly easy cleanup after the party.
- Prepare this recipe early and keep it on the Warm setting until it’s time to serve, giving you more time to enjoy your guests.
- Double the recipe in a larger slow cooker when feeding a big crowd so you only have to prepare one dish.
- Serve directly from the crockpot to eliminate the need for transferring to another serving dish and reduce cleanup.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Assemble everything ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Why is my crockpot mac and cheese dry?
Usually from overcooking or using pre-shredded cheese.
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Can I double this recipe?
Yes, if your slow cooker is large enough.
Can I leave it on Warm?
Yes, for up to 2 hours. Stir occasionally.
How easy is that? It is so delicious too!
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is super easy to change up – here are a few ideas:
- Bacon Mac and Cheese – Add cooked bacon pieces to the cooked pasta.
- Buffalo Chicken – Mix in shredded rotisserie chicken and buffalo
- Jalape̱o Mac РAdd a small can of drained diced jalape̱os.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
This Post was part of a potluck surprise party that we did in 2018. Wow time has flown! These are more potluck recipes to check out from food blogger friends:
Banana Pudding from Veronica of My Catholic Kitchen
Caramel Pound Cake from Stacey of Southern Bite
Cookies and Cream Crunch Cookie Bites from Robin of Simply Southern Baking
Easy Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Hash Browns from Kristin of Dizzy Busy and Hungry
Herbed Cream Pasta with Bacon from Brandy of Farmer’s Wife Rambles
Pepperoni Bread from Karen at In The Kitchen With KP
Sausage and Kale Casserole from Pam of Blueberries and Blessings
Spinach and Zucchini Lasagna from Samantha of The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Tomato and Boursin Tartlets from Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake
No Boil Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz. package dry large elbow macaroni
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Lightly oil sides and bottom of slow cooker.
- Place all ingredients into a crockpot or slow cooker and stir so that the cheese is not just sitting on top of the pasta.
- Cook on low heat for 2 hours. That’s it.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese for the smoothest, creamiest texture. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting as smoothly.
- Grease the slow cooker with butter or nonstick cooking spray before adding the ingredients to make cleanup easier.
- Stir gently once or twice during cooking if possible to help the cheese melt evenly without overmixing the pasta.
Nutrition
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I am going to dust off my crockpot ASAP! SO easy and who doesn’t love mac and cheese? I’m so delighted to join you in this virtual potluck for Christy 🙂
Delicious. I mean, almost too hard to look at the photos. Hope Christy feels better fast!
Thank you Tamara!
Raquel, This is a great recipe that my pre-teen can make for us. She is introducing herself to the kitchen and loves to surprise us on weekends with breakfast. I think is time she started working on some lunch. Great and easy recipe, thanks! Also thanks for being a part of this virtual potluck for Christy. It’s been great meeting you and other wonderful bloggers. Hugs!
Thanks Wanda, it is super simple and can be embellished with different types of cheeses. So nice to connect with you here!
I love this recipe!! I never make mac n cheese and my friends think I’m crazy! haha I am so throwing this in the crockpot..can’t wait!! And I am so thrilled I am meeting all these new bloggy friends through the potluck :))
Thank you Samantha! It is a great quick prep meal! So happy to hear you are in the OC too 🙂
PS…I just noticed you’re in OC…so am I!!
Are you KIDDING me?!?! You don’t need to precook the pasta?!?! I am ABSOLUTELY trying this…I always find the ‘cook the pasta according to package directions’ step to be so annoying (don’t know why, because it really isn’t all that hard to do!), but for a busy mom, every step that can be skipped saves precious time! Love love love this! Pinning!
I am so glad to have gotten to know you through the potluck. I am following you on social media so I can see what else you cook up going forward! 🙂
Thank you Kristen for your sweet comments. Let me know if you try it. You can also add different cheeses to mix it up a bit.
Love a good batch of macaroni and cheese!
Thank you!
The potluck is such a sweet idea! I’ve found so many other awesome bloggers after finding Christy’s site and I love the support you give each other.
Now, ahem,
This looks so good!!! This would make an awesome reunion dish for my southern traditional-eating family. I’m more of an experimental cook so sometimes I have a hard time thinking simple. I might make this for a halloween party this year as well! Especially if I could find some cool halloween-y shaped pasta. Do you know if this freezes well? Thank you for the awesome recipe. I’ll subscribe to your blog now.
I love easy, and I love mac ‘n cheese! I definitely need to try this one. 🙂
Thank you Ginny! It’s really tasty!
I’ve never made mac and cheese in the crock pot before. What a great idea! xo
I love that the pasta doesn’t have to be precooked. I don’t understand recipes that I basically make the mac & cheese and heat it in the slow cooker. Doesn’t really save much time. This looks great!
Thanks Stephanie. I agree! Thanks for stopping by!
Can I eliminate the milk? And used cooked pasta?
You can use cooked pasta, just watch so that you don’t overcook it. If you omit the milk, be sure to add water or another liquid so that the noodles don’t get dry.
Thanks Stephanie. I agree! Thanks for stopping by!
This might be the easiest recipe for mac and cheese I’ve ever seen and it looks delish!
It is really simple Susan. Thanks for stopping by!
Now mac and cheese is pure comfort food to me! Thank you for being a part of this virtual potluck for Christy. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by Robin! Hope she is mending well. 🙂
Thank you Robin! It was fun and nice to be a part of it! Enjoy your weekend!