Slow Cooker Creamy Three-Cheese Macaroni

Ingredients

- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta Base:
In the crock pot, add 2 cups of elbow macaroni and cover it with 4 cups of water. Set the cooker to high heat and cook the macaroni until al dente, which should take about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

2. Drain and Set Aside:
Once cooked, drain the excess water from the macaroni and leave it in the crock pot for subsequent steps.

3. Combine the Spices and Add Creaminess:
Add 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper to the warm macaroni. Stir gently until the butter is completely melted and evenly coats the macaroni.

4. Mix in the Cheeses:
Add the 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese to the mixture. Pour in 1 cup of milk, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

5. Cheese Melting Magic:
Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the crock pot. Stir well until all cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is velvety.

6. Simmer to Perfection:
Change the crock pot setting to low heat. Cover and let the mixture cook for an additional 1 hour, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, yielding a rich creamy consistency.

7. Finishing Touches and Serving:
Once ready, give the macaroni a final stir and check the seasoning. Adjust the salt and pepper to your taste if needed. Serve hot as a delicious, comforting lunch.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT5M
5 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT1H30M
1 hour and 30 minutes

Total Time

PT1H35M
1 hour and 35 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

crock pot macaroni, creamy cheese pasta, slow cooker mac and cheese, cheddar parmesan macaroni, comfort food lunch, easy pasta recipes, crock pot lunches, cheesy elbow macaroni, three-cheese pasta dish, crock pot comfort food

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

1760 total calories

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