Dazzling Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese Recipe by Pioneer Woman

Slow cooker mac and cheese transforms ordinary pasta into a luxurious comfort meal that promises irresistible creaminess.

Rich dairy ingredients blend seamlessly to create a decadent texture that melts in your mouth.

The magic happens when multiple cheese varieties unite, developing complex flavors that elevate this classic dish.

Soft elbow macaroni absorbs the velvety sauce, turning each bite into a cheesy revelation.

Minimal kitchen effort yields maximum deliciousness, making this recipe a game-changer for busy home cooks.

No complicated techniques or sophisticated skills required – just pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

Step 1: Prepare Slow Cooker Ingredients

Gather your ingredients: elbow macaroni, whole milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, unsalted butter, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cut butter into small pieces for even distribution.

• Elbow macaroni
• Whole milk
• Evaporated milk
• Heavy cream
• Unsalted butter
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients directly in a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker, stirring until well combined.

Step 2: Start Cooking Pasta

Cover slow cooker with lid and set to high heat. Cook for 30 minutes, allowing pasta to absorb liquid and start softening.

Step 3: Check Pasta Doneness

Open lid and stir pasta thoroughly. Ensure no pasta sticks to bottom. Check pasta texture – it should be almost tender but not completely cooked. Continue cooking on high heat for additional 10-25 minutes if needed.

Step 4: Melt American Cheese

Sprinkle cubed American cheese over pasta. Gently fold with rubber spatula until cheese begins melting into macaroni.

Step 5: Add Remaining Cheese Varieties

• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Smoked gouda cheese

Add each cheese batch separately, stirring until completely melted before adding next batch.

Step 6: Adjust and Serve

Give final stir to mac and cheese. If sauce seems too thick, add splash of milk to reach desired consistency. Serve immediately from slow cooker. Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs or extra paprika sprinkle.

Insider Tips for Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

• Sprinkle Crunch Magic: Elevate your mac and cheese with golden panko breadcrumbs or crispy bacon bits, transforming the creamy dish into a textural masterpiece.
• Fine-Tune Flavor Punch: Sample the dish before serving and boldly adjust seasonings, ensuring each spoonful bursts with deliciousness.
• Smooth Out Thickness: When the mac and cheese feels too dense, gradually blend in milk until you achieve that dreamy, velvety consistency.
• Gentle Stirring Dance: Prevent pasta clumping by giving your slow cooker a loving stir every half hour, spreading heat and flavors throughout.
• Cheese Quality Matters: Grate fresh cheese directly from the block, dodging preservative-laden pre-shredded options for a meltier, more authentic experience.

Smart Storage Ideas for Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

• Airtight Container Method: Transfer cooled mac and cheese into glass or hard plastic containers with tight-sealing lids. Block moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other refrigerator foods. Select containers that match the dish's volume exactly to minimize air exposure.
• Portion Separation Method: Divide leftovers into individual serving sizes before storing. Use small sealed containers or freezer-safe bags for easy single-serving reheating. Label each container with the date and contents to track freshness and prevent food waste.
• Temperature Control Method: Keep mac and cheese refrigerated at or below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back bottom shelf. Consume within 3-4 days for best taste and food safety, checking for any unusual odors or color changes before reheating.

Exciting Variations on Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

• Spicy Jalapeño Popper Mac: Dice fresh jalapeños and mix them into the cheese sauce for a kick. Sprinkle crispy bacon bits on top for extra crunch and flavor complexity.
• Southwestern Style Mac: Add diced green chiles, corn kernels, and black beans to the base recipe. Top with crushed tortilla chips and a dollop of sour cream for a zesty regional variation.
• Truffle Mushroom Elegance: Sauté mixed wild mushrooms in garlic butter before adding to the mac and cheese. Drizzle white truffle oil and sprinkle fresh thyme for a luxurious gourmet upgrade.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes into the mix. Blend in fresh basil and oregano for a bright, Mediterranean-inspired profile that transforms the classic dish.

Summing Up the Delight of Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese emerges as pure comfort culinary magic.

Cheese lovers will discover an irresistible symphony of creamy textures and bold flavor profiles.

Careful layering of multiple cheese varieties creates unparalleled richness beyond classic recipes.

Slow cooking technique guarantees silky smooth results without constant monitoring.

Home chefs can effortlessly craft restaurant-quality mac and cheese with minimal preparation.

Complex yet approachable, this recipe promises delightful dining experiences that spark conversation, inspire kitchen creativity, and demand your immediate attention – so grab ingredients, share this mouthwatering discovery with friends, click that like button, and let passionate food discussions begin!

Experience Cozy Comfort with Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

• Effortless Comfort Cooking: Slow cooker method eliminates constant stirring, making this mac and cheese a hands-off, stress-free culinary experience that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Cheese Lover's Dream Blend: Combines four incredible cheeses (American, sharp cheddar, smoked gouda) creating a luxuriously creamy, multi-dimensional flavor profile that elevates classic mac and cheese from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Customizable Texture Magic: Flexible cooking process allows you to control pasta tenderness and sauce consistency by adjusting cooking time and adding milk, ensuring perfectly creamy mac and cheese every single time.
• Zero-Fuss Family Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and gatherings where you want a delicious, comforting dish that requires minimal preparation and guarantees widespread smiles around the dinner table.

Essential Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for mac and cheese, holds sauce well and gives traditional comfort food texture.

• Whole Milk, Evaporated Milk, Heavy Cream: Creates rich, creamy base for mac and cheese, provides smooth and luxurious consistency.

• American Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Smoked Gouda: Delivers complex cheese flavor, melts smoothly and provides creamy texture. Choose high-quality cheese for best results.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper: Adds depth of flavor, enhances overall taste profile with subtle heat and warmth.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth, velvety sauce. Use fresh, high-quality butter for best flavor.

Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ree Drummond’s slow cooker mac and cheese delivers creamy comfort straight from her Oklahoma ranch kitchen. Hearty cheddar and rich cream cheese meld together, creating a luxurious pasta dish that welcomes you to savor each comforting spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (16 ounces / 453 grams) elbow macaroni
• 1 bag (8 ounces / 227 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
• ¼ pound (4 ounces / 113 grams) American cheese, cubed

Dairy Components:

• 2 ½ cups whole milk, plus extra for serving
• 1 can (12 ounces / 340 grams) evaporated milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne

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Instructions

1. Prepare the slow cooker by layering uncooked elbow macaroni into a 6 to 8-quart (1.4 to 1.9 liters) slow cooker, creating an even base for the mac and cheese.
2. Pour in whole milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream, ensuring complete coverage of the pasta. Cut unsalted butter into small cubes and distribute evenly across the surface.
3. Season the mixture with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, and a hint of cayenne pepper for depth of flavor. Gently stir to combine all ingredients, creating a uniform liquid base.
4. Cover the slow cooker and set to high temperature. Allow the mixture to cook undisturbed for 30 minutes, enabling the pasta to gradually absorb the creamy liquid.
5. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the lid and stir the macaroni thoroughly. Assess the pasta’s tenderness, continuing to cook on high heat if needed, checking every 10 minutes until nearly al dente.
6. When pasta reaches almost-tender consistency, introduce cubed American cheese, folding gently with a rubber spatula until it begins to melt into the mixture.
7. Gradually incorporate shredded sharp cheddar cheese in three separate additions, stirring completely between each batch to ensure smooth integration and prevent cheese clumping.
8. Add smoked gouda cheese in similar incremental stages, mixing thoroughly until all cheeses meld into a creamy, luxurious sauce.
9. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding a small amount of milk if the mac and cheese appears too thick. Perform a final stir to guarantee even cheese distribution.
10. Serve immediately while hot, optionally garnishing with a light sprinkle of paprika or finely chopped fresh herbs for added visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Gentle heat in the slow cooker prevents burning, guaranteeing consistently smooth mac and cheese every single time.
• Cooking pasta directly within the creamy liquid allows noodles to soak up maximum flavor and maintain perfect al dente texture.
• Multiple cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyere, and monterey jack create a complex, rich taste that transforms classic comfort food.
• Combining whole milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream produces an incredibly luxurious sauce that coats each pasta strand with velvety richness.
• Serving hot and fresh straight from the slow cooker ensures warmth throughout meal time, making this dish ideal for potlucks, family dinners, and casual gatherings.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 470 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg