Description
This Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese recipe features tender cavatappi pasta slow-cooked with a creamy blend of evaporated milk, half and half, sharp cheddar, and American cheese. Infused with seasonings like onion powder and paprika, it creates a rich, cheesy dish that's perfect for an easy, comforting meal made effortlessly in your crock pot.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta
- 1/4 cup butter, cut into cubes
- 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 lb block of orange American cheese (8 ounces), cut into cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Cooking spray
- 2 teaspoons chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta: Cook the cavatappi pasta in boiling water for 2 minutes less than the package directions specify to ensure it doesn't overcook during slow cooking.
- Coat the slow cooker: Spray a 4 or 6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add pasta and butter: Place the cooked noodles into the slow cooker, add the cubed butter, and stir until the noodles are evenly coated with butter.
- Combine dairy and seasonings: Pour in the evaporated milk and half and half. Add the shredded cheddar, cubed American cheese, salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cook the mac and cheese: Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Finish and serve: At the end of cooking, stir thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and coats the noodles perfectly. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- For best results, do not overcook the pasta before adding to the slow cooker since it will continue cooking.
- You can substitute cavatappi with other corkscrew or elbow-shaped pasta.
- If you prefer a sharper flavor, increase the amount of cheddar cheese by 1 cup.
- Stirring every 30 minutes helps prevent the cheese from clumping or sticking to the sides.
- Use cooking spray liberally to avoid any sticking in the slow cooker.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 571 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 912 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 88 mg
