As we enter the dregs of fall — the short, chilly days often accompanied by a wintry mix of precipitation — there’s nothing better than starting a meal in a slow cooker and coming home to a perfect meal. Cold, gray days call for warm, hearty meals like stews, soups, macaroni and cheese, and homemade breads.
Lucky for me, my husband’s birthday is a late fall birthday — it’s today, in fact! — and one of his favorite meals is macaroni and cheese. I decided this year I needed to make it from scratch and it needed to be slow cooker style. I’m a big proponent of the slow cooker. It’s so easy to use and you can make delicious, home cooked, filling meals with hardly any prep-work at all.
This recipe for crowd-pleasing, slow cooked macaroni and cheese is quite simple. The result is amazing cheesy goodness. It’s not like the boxed stuff at all. It’s thick, hearty, and the sharp cheddar gives it a tasty zip that you can’t find in the pre-packaged types of macaroni and cheese. Plus, it’s fabulous as a main dish or works well as a side, too. Think football potlucks, chili cook-offs that need something different, or even your book club later in the month. This cheesy macaroni and cheese is crowd-pleasing — kids and adults alike! Enjoy.
Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 box elbow pasta (13-16 oz)
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 C butter, melted
- 1 3/4 C milk
- 12 oz organic evaporated milk
- 6 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese (1 C reserved)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Cook elbow pasta according to package directions (8-10 minutes in boiling water). Drain and set aside.
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix elbows, eggs, melted butter, milk, evaporated milk, and 5 cups of cheese in the slow cooker. Stir in salt and pepper. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the mixture. Cook on low for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Stir and serve immediately.
This macaroni and cheese is literally like happiness in a slow cooker. It’s cheesy, filling, and amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
And now it’s time for a super corny shout-out to my husband: Happy birthday, babe! You’re my bestie, my rock, and my all-around favorite person on the planet. I hope you have the best day ever. I love you!
Hope the rest of you also have an amazing day. And give this macaroni and cheese a whirl — I promise it won’t disappoint!
xo
TALK TO ME!
What’s your favorite cold-weather meal?
Do you use your slow cooker enough?
Loading InLinkz ...Linking up with Confessions of a Mother Runner and A Whisk and Two Wands for Meatless Monday, and Marathons and Motivation for Fitness & Food.
