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Cozy Crockpot Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon

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This creamy, comforting crockpot mac and cheese features a silky cheese sauce made with evaporated milk and cream cheese, topped with crispy bacon. It’s a hands-off, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for cold nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni (about 4 cups uncooked)
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 12 ounces)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 4 ounces)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place bacon slices in a cold skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble into small pieces. Set aside.
  2. Shred the cheese: While bacon cooks, shred cheddar and mozzarella from blocks. This takes about 5 minutes but ensures smooth melting.
  3. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 2 minutes less than package directions (al dente). Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
  4. Prepare the crockpot: Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with butter or non-stick spray.
  5. Layer the ingredients: Add cooked pasta to the crockpot. Pour in whole milk, evaporated milk, and melted butter. Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir until well combined.
  6. Add the cheeses: Add shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella, and cubed cream cheese. Stir gently but thoroughly until cheese starts to incorporate.
  7. Cook on low: Cover and cook on LOW for 1.5 to 2 hours. Do not cook on high. Stir once after 45 minutes to help everything melt evenly.
  8. Check for doneness: After 1.5 hours, stir. Cheese should be fully melted and sauce thick and creamy. If too thin, cook 15-30 minutes more. If too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk.
  9. Add the bacon topping: Once done, sprinkle crispy bacon crumbles on top. Do not stir in. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
  10. Let it rest: Turn off crockpot and let mac and cheese sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.

Notes

Don’t skip the evaporated milk—it prevents the sauce from separating. Shred your own cheese for smooth melting. Undercook the pasta by 2 minutes to avoid mushiness. Add bacon at the end to keep it crispy. For best results, cook on low only.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot mac and cheese, slow cooker mac and cheese, bacon mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/cozy-crockpot-mac-and-cheese-with-crispy-bacon/