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Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe

Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe is a dream come true. It is the creamiest and cheesiest meal you can make.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound of dry elbow macaroni pasta.
  • 4 cups of sharp cheddar cheese shredded.
  • 1 can of evaporated milk 12 oz.
  • 1 ½ cups of whole milk.
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter melted.
  • 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
  • ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
  • ½ teaspoon of dry mustard powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper optional.

Instructions
 

Prep the pot

  • Spray the inside of your crockpot with non-stick spray. This prevents the cheese from sticking to the sides.

Add the pasta

  • Dump the dry elbow macaroni into the slow cooker. Do not cook the noodles in water first.

Melt the butter

  • Melt your butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Pour it over the dry noodles and stir well.

Mix the liquids

  • Whisk the milk and evaporated milk in a bowl. This mixture makes the sauce very creamy and thick.

Season the sauce

  • Add the salt, pepper, mustard, and cayenne to the milk. Stir them so the spices are spread out evenly.

Combine everything

  • Pour the milk mixture over the buttered noodles. Add about 3 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese now.

Start the cooking

  • Put the lid on the slow cooker tightly. Set it to low heat for about 2 hours.

Stir and check

  • Stir the pasta gently after 1 hour of cooking. Check to see if the noodles are getting soft.

Top with cheese

  • Sprinkle the last cup of cheese on top. Cook for 20 more minutes until it melts completely.

Notes

  • Grate your own cheese: Do not use the pre-shredded bags. Freshly grated cheese melts much smoother and tastes better.
  • Use evaporated milk: This is the secret to a rich sauce. It keeps the cheese from breaking or getting oily.
  • Do not overcook: Check the pasta at the 2-hour mark. If it cooks too long, the noodles get mushy.
  • Add extra milk: If it looks too dry, add a splash. A little extra milk makes it creamy again.
  • Try different cheeses: Mix in some Monterey Jack or Gruyère. Different cheeses add a very complex and deep flavor.
  • Keep the lid on: Try not to peek too often. Opening the lid lets the heat escape the pot.
Keyword Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe