20 Family-Friendly Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipes You'll Love

Nothing says comfort food like a big, creamy bowl of mac and cheese, and when you can set it and forget it in a crockpot, you've got a winning family meal on your hands. As a busy parent, I'm always on the lookout for recipes that are delicious, easy to make, and versatile enough to please everyone in the house.

In this blog post, I’m thrilled to share my collection of 20 family-friendly crockpot mac and cheese recipes you'll love. These recipes take the classic dish to new heights with a variety of flavors and add-ins, ensuring there's something for even the pickiest of eaters. Let's dive into these mouth-watering options that will make weeknight dinners a breeze!

1. Classic Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Sometimes, you just can't beat the classics.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
2. Combine the macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, salt, and pepper in your crockpot.
3. Stir everything together, then set the crockpot on low.
4. Cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until everything is melted and creamy.

2. Creamy Bacon Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Adding a bit of bacon takes this dish to a whole new level!

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
2. Mix the macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, bacon crumbles, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Stir well, and set the crockpot on low.
4. Cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until creamy.

3. Broccoli Cheddar Crockpot Mac and Cheese

A sneaky way to get some greens into the meal.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni until al dente according to package instructions.
2. Mix the macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, broccoli, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Stir well, set on low, and cook for 2-3 hours.

4. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

For a bit of a kick with your comfort.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni until al dente.
2. Combine the macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Stir and cook on low for 2-3 hours.

5. Cheesy Taco Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Perfect for taco night, with all the familiar flavors.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni to al dente.
2. Mix the macaroni, cooked ground beef, taco seasoning, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, salsa, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

6. Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

A sophisticated twist on the classic.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 cup chopped artichoke hearts
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Mix together the macaroni, mozzarella cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, spinach, artichoke hearts, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

7. Four-Cheese Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Cheese lovers, rejoice!

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Mix all the cheeses together with the macaroni, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Stir well and set on low to cook for 2-3 hours.

8. Lobster Mac and Cheese

Indulge a little with some lobster.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 lb cooked and chopped lobster meat
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni to al dente.
2. Combine macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, lobster meat, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

9. BBQ Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese

Meaty, cheesy goodness with BBQ flavor.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups cooked pulled pork
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni to al dente.
2. Mix macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Set to low and cook for 2-3 hours.

10. Pesto Mac and Cheese

A touch of pesto adds a fresh twist.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup prepared pesto
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Combine macaroni, mozzarella cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, pesto, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

11. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Cut some carbs with cauliflower.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups chopped cauliflower
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni to al dente.
2. Mix macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, cauliflower, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

12. Chili Mac and Cheese

Combining two comforting classics.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 can chili (15 oz)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Combine macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, chili, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

13. Ham and Cheese Mac and Cheese

Perfect use for leftover ham.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups cubed ham
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni to al dente.
2. Mix macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, cubed ham, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

14. Sausage & Peppers Mac and Cheese

Bring a little spice with Italian sausage.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 lb cooked Italian sausage, sliced
• 1 cup chopped bell peppers
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Combine macaroni, mozzarella cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, sausage, bell peppers, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

15. Greek Mac and Cheese

Greek-inspired flavors for a change.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Mix macaroni, mozzarella cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, feta cheese, spinach, olives, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

16. Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

If you like it spicy, this one’s for you.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 4 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Mix macaroni, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, jalapeños, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

17. Mushroom and Truffle Mac and Cheese

Earthy and decadent with truffle oil.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded gruyere cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons truffle oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Combine macaroni, gruyere cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, mushrooms, truffle oil, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

18. BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Sweet and smoky flavor with chicken.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Mix macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

19. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

A bit of autumn sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups pureed butternut squash
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Combine macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, butternut squash, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

20. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

A sharp and tangy twist.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
2. Mix macaroni, white cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

Conclusion

Enjoy these 20 delightful crockpot mac and cheese recipes with your family and make dinner time a joyous occasion!