Crock Pot Mac And Cheese (with Video)

Do I need to cook the macaroni before adding it to the Crock Pot?
Yes, it’s important to cook the macaroni before adding it to the crock pot. This will ensure that the macaroni cooks evenly and doesn’t become mushy.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese for this recipe?
I don’t recommend it. If possible, use freshly grated cheese. Obviously, if you’re short on time then certainly use it. I don’t mind using it for my No-Boil Macaroni and Cheese – but for this, because it’s hanging out in the slow cooker for a while, I think freshly grated cheese seems to hold up a bit better to the process. Also the American cheese in this recipe helps to keep it so creamy. Don’t skip it!

Why do you use evaporated milk in Mac and Cheese?
This adds creaminess without the heaviness of milk or heavy cream. It also doesn’t curdle like milk tends to do. I like to use a bit of half and half to give it a richness without overloading. However, if you really want, you could certainly use milk instead of evaporated milk.