By Becky Hardin
Updated Sep 23, 2025
Crockpot Mac and Cheese is a super simple recipe I’ve made time and time again for my kids. I find it makes the perfect side dish or weeknight dinner for the whole family. I love how it’s virtually foolproof and comes out extra creamy and extra cheesy every time.
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5-Star Review
“A great recipe for potlucks. I never bring any home. It is very good.” – Jan
Easy Crockpot Mac n Cheese Recipe
This creamy crockpot mac and cheese is hands-down one of my favorite set-it-and-forget-it recipes. I’m a total cheese lover, so anytime I can make a dish that’s rich, melty, and comforting with almost no effort, I’m all in.
What I love most is how the slow cooker does all the work for me—while I go about my day, the cheese, heavy cream, and sour cream blend together into the creamiest, dreamiest sauce that clings to every noodle. It’s the kind of dish that makes the whole house smell amazing and brings everyone running to the table. Whether I’m serving it up for a family dinner, a holiday spread, or just because I’m craving comfort food, this crockpot mac and cheese always hits the spot and disappears fast.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups dry elbow macaroni or any short shaped pasta
- ▢ 4 tbsp salted butter cubed (½ stick)
- ▢ 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese pepper jack or white cheddar also work
- ▢ 3 large eggs beaten
- ▢ ½ cup light sour cream plain Greek yogurt also works
- ▢ 10.75 oz. condensed cheddar cheese soup (1 can)
- ▢ ½ cup heavy cream
- ▢ ½ cup milk
- ▢ ½ tsp dry mustard powder
- ▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Video
Instructions
- Bring a 2-quart saucepan of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender. Set aside. 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- Return the saucepan to the heat and melt butter and shredded cheese until cheese melts. 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese, 4 tbsp salted butter
- Combine melted cheese, eggs, sour cream, soup, cream, milk, mustard, and salt and pepper in a slow cooker. Stir in the macaroni and give the entire mixture a couple stirs. 3 large eggs, ½ cup light sour cream, 10.75 oz. condensed cheddar cheese soup, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup milk, ½ tsp dry mustard powder, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Cook on low for 1½-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
- Crockpot
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Mac and Cheese Step by Step
Boil the pasta : Bring a large saucepan to a boil, and cook 2 cups of pasta for 7 minutes or until just tender. Set aside.
Melt the cheese: Using the same saucepan, melt 4 tbsp of butter and 3 cups of shredded cheese until the cheese melts.
Combine all the ingredients: In the slow cooker, combine the melted cheese with 3 eggs, ½ cup light sour cream, 10.75 oz. condensed cheddar cheese soup, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup milk, ½ tsp dry mustard powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add in the pasta and give it a good stir.
Cook: Cook the mac and cheese on low for 1½-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Serve: Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
I’ll sometimes use this recipe as a base and show off my creativity. Here are some ways to switch it up:
- Add crumbled cooked bacon and caramelized onions
- Mix in pesto for a boost of flavor
- Up the protein with taco meat
- Stir in Buffalo sauce for a spicy kick
How to Store
Store leftover crockpot mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. If you want to reheat it, you can use a microwave, the stove, or place it back in the slow cooker. Add a small amount of liquid (milk, ideally) to help rehydrate it.
You can freeze this slow cooker mac and cheese to reheat and serve later. Let it cool completely after cooking, then place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This crockpot mac and cheese is the perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family. It pairs perfectly with breaded baked pork chops or air fryer fish sticks . If you’re more of a chicken lover, chicken tenders and buttermilk fried chicken are good options.
more mac and cheese recipes we love
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
One Pot Mac and Cheese
Loaded Mac and Cheese
Baked Mac and Cheese
Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry elbow macaroni or any short shaped pasta
- 4 tbsp salted butter cubed (½ stick)
- 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese pepper jack or white cheddar also work
- 3 large eggs beaten
- ½ cup light sour cream plain Greek yogurt also works
- 10.75 oz. condensed cheddar cheese soup (1 can)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp dry mustard powder
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a 2-quart saucepan of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender. Set aside. 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- Return the saucepan to the heat and melt butter and shredded cheese until cheese melts. 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese, 4 tbsp salted butter
- Combine melted cheese, eggs, sour cream, soup, cream, milk, mustard, and salt and pepper in a slow cooker. Stir in the macaroni and give the entire mixture a couple stirs. 3 large eggs, ½ cup light sour cream, 10.75 oz. condensed cheddar cheese soup, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup milk, ½ tsp dry mustard powder, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Cook on low for 1½-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
