It's rich and creamy, and leaves you wanting more. Our quick and easy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Velveeta is the perfect recipe to set and forget. Have this classic dish on your dinner table with only about 10 minutes of prep time.
By simply combining all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, you will love how easy our Velveeta Mac and Cheese is. Not to mention, because it is all made in one dish, there is no added mess! Let your slow cooker meld all the delicious flavors together for a tasty final product that everyone will love.
What is Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Velveeta?
Velveeta Mac and Cheese is a creamy pasta meal that we all know and love. Mac and cheese is an American classic comfort food, and using Velveeta cheese gives it an extra smooth texture.
Jump to:
- What is Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Velveeta?
- Why You Will Love This Slow Cooker Velveeta Mac and Cheese
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Velveeta Recipe
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Store Slow Cooker Velveeta Mac and Cheese
- What to Serve with Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Velveeta
- Top Tip
- Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Velveeta
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Slow Cooker Velveeta Mac and Cheese Recipe
This was inspired by my Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese recipe. We love making mac and cheese in our house and it is fun to mix up the flavors!
Why You Will Love This Slow Cooker Velveeta Mac and Cheese
- Hands-Off Approach: You will love how you can mix everything in the base of the slow cooker, allowing little clean up and a hands-off cooking method.
- Quick and Easy: All you need is about 10 minutes to prep your cheese, to measure out a few ingredients, and you're set.
- Maximum Taste: The rich, velvety taste of velveeta paired with old cheddar makes an incredible flavor combination that keeps you wanting more!
Ingredients
Chances are you already have some of these items in your kitchen. After a quick check, a fast trip to the store will be almost as quick as the prep time.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Elbow Pasta: The perfect noodle for mac and cheese. Any small pasta works well.
- Whole Milk: The full fat milk makes for a thicker sauce.
- Velveeta Cheese: This adds that velvety, cheesy flavor and creaminess to the final product.
- Old White Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharpness to the flavor profile.
- Unsalted Butter: Allows you to control salt content while adding more creaminess. Salted is fine if you prefer.
- Sea Salt: This helps to amplify the other flavors in the dish.
- Dry Mustard: An unexpected subtle tangy flavor that balances the richness of the cheese.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds an extra kick of flavor.
For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a slow cooker, cheese grater, measuring cups and spoons and a spatula.
Substitutions and Variations
We have made this a few ways and they are all fantastic! Here are a few variations you can try for your own Easy Velveeta Mac and Cheese.
- Cream: For added creaminess use cream, I haven't tried going higher than 10%.
- Milk: You can use a skim, 1% or 2% if it is all you have.
- Cream Cheese: Adds to the creaminess and pairs nicely with the rich Velveeta flavors.
- Orange Cheddar Cheese: Works the same, there is not much difference in flavor.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: For a spicy kick, you can sub fully or partially for the white cheddar.
How to Make Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Velveeta Recipe
You will know you have found the right recipe when grating cheese is the toughest part. Look how simple it is to make this Mac and Cheese with Velveeta.
Add all ingredients to your slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on low heat for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until noodles are cooked to your preference.
Serve in bowls with freshly cracked black pepper.
Hint: You may need to stir halfway to help break up some of the cheese cubes. Some slow cookers do not distribute heat consistently every time.
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How to Store Slow Cooker Velveeta Mac and Cheese
This dish can easily be stored in the fridge. Cooked pasta tends to not freeze well.
- Refrigerator: Place cooled pasta in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Conversely, you can store in a prepared casserole dish and cover in plastic wrap.
- Freezer: Some pasta recipes freeze better than others, dairy-heavy dishes tend to be trickier as cheeses can hold a lot of water. However, because the sauce is very thick and creamy that helps. Once fully cooled you can pop it in an airtight container or leave in the casserole dish and double wrap in plastic wrap, and then tinfoil before popping into the freezer.
- Reheating: Reheat any thawed portion in the microwave by adding a little milk to your bowl. Set the microwave on medium power for 2 minutes or until warmed through. In the oven, preheat to 350F, drizzle with some added milk over your thawed pasta and cover your baking dish with tinfoil. Bake for about 30 minutes or until warmed through.
- Make Ahead: This is one of those meals that can be portioned out in the morning and then popped in the slow cooker when you get home. Ready in 2 hours, by the time you've finished up helping with homework and relaxed from a long day, dinner is served!
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Velveeta
- Freshly Crack Pepper: Adding a few shakes of pepper enhances the flavor.
- Chopped Parsley: Garnish with some freshly chopped parsley for an added burst of freshness.
- Bacon Bits: This is a great way to add some texture to the creaminess, and lets face it, bacon makes everything better!
- Meat: Serve this alongside a simple chicken recipe, grilled steak, or BBQ ribs for a more complete meal.
- Steamed or Cooked Vegetables: Add some lightly seasoned greens to balance out textures and complement the cheese flavor.
Top Tip
Rewarming with a little added milk or cream helps to reinvigorate this dish's creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Velveeta
Do you have questions about making Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Velveeta? We can help. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers.
There are a few reasons why it is not recommended. The cheese may not have enough time to fully melt. This can also prevent the pasta from cooking properly. Also, the potential for curdling can occur. A low and slow approach is best.
Short pasta noodles are better at holding the sauce, so they are the preferred choice. Some options are: small shells, rotini, or cavatappi. Alternatively, tube shaped pastas like penne and ziti noodles work well too.
Yes! It is recommended that an uncooked pasta noodle is used as it will cook in the cheese sauce.
You can add pre-cooked mix-ins like ham, bacon, or broccoli. We suggest adding them during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking.
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Slow Cooker Velveeta Mac and Cheese Recipe
Equipment
- Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot
- Cheese Grater
- Wooden Spoon/Spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 650 grams elbow noodles dry (approximately 5 cups)
- 4 cups whole milk
- 16 ounces Velveeta cubed
- 400 grams old white cheddar grated
- 2 sticks butter, unsalted
- ½ tablespoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to your slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cook on low heat for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until noodles are cooked to your desired doneness, stirring halfway.
- Serve in bowls with freshly cracked black pepper.
Notes
- Any short pasta noodle you have on hand will work; other shapes that hold sauce well include small shells, rotini, or cavatappi.
- Cooking on the low setting of your slow cooker ensures an evenly cooked, creamy sauce and avoids the possibility of burning the bottom, or the cheeses not being fully melted.
- Stir half way to ensure the noodles do not stick, and are able to cook evenly.
- Optional mix-ins include crumbled bacon, diced ham, fresh herbs, and a pinch of cayenne or paprika for some spice.
Nutrition
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Colton says
This mac and cheese recipe is great! It's so rich and creamy, the only problem is there's no leftovers!!
Eva Filer says
Thanks for your feedback Colton. We are so happy you enjoyed this Mac and Cheese!