Heartwarming Southern Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese Recipe

Southern-style slow cooker mac and cheese brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Creamy, rich cheese cascades over perfectly cooked pasta in this beloved classic.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this hearty dish that warms hearts and satisfies hunger.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple yet deeply satisfying recipe.

Tender macaroni mingles with a luscious blend of melted cheeses, creating a side dish that steals the show.

Each bite promises pure, nostalgic goodness that connects you to cherished culinary traditions.

Dive into this soulful recipe and let its cheesy magic transport you to a world of pure comfort.

Ingredients for Southern-Style Mac & Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: Select high-quality pasta that holds its shape well and provides a classic comfort food texture.

• Whole Milk, Evaporated Milk: Ensures rich, creamy consistency with deep, luxurious dairy flavor.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy depth and silky smoothness to the mac and cheese.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and creates a luscious, custard-like foundation.

• Butter: Infuses rich, golden warmth and helps create a velvety sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that enhance overall taste profile.
• Paprika: Introduces subtle smokiness and beautiful golden color.
• Dry Mustard: Provides gentle, sharp undertone that brightens cheese flavors.

• Shredded Cheeses: Blend varieties for complex, melty goodness that makes this dish irresistibly creamy and indulgent.

Cooking Tools for Creamy Mac & Cheese

• Slow Cooker: Essential for creating creamy, hands-off mac and cheese.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending milk, eggs, and seasonings smoothly.
• Large Pot: Needed to boil and drain pasta before adding to slow cooker.
• Cheese Grater: Helps shred cheese for melting and better texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta after boiling.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing cheese.

Southern-Style Mac & Cheese Instructions

• Prepare Pasta

Cook macaroni until just tender, then drain and set aside. This quick boil ensures your noodles won’t get mushy during slow cooking.

• Prep Slow Cooker

Grease your slow cooker with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

• Create Creamy Base

Whisk together milk, cream, sour cream, butter, eggs, and seasonings right in the slow cooker. This creates a rich, silky foundation for your mac and cheese.

• Combine Ingredients

Fold in cooked pasta and a blend of cheeses, ensuring everything is evenly distributed for maximum flavor in every bite.

• Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover and let the slow cooker work its magic on low heat for 2-3 hours. Occasionally stir to help cheese melt smoothly and prevent burning.

• Serve and Enjoy

Give a final gentle stir and serve your ultra-creamy, Southern-style mac and cheese hot. Watch everyone’s eyes light up with the first delicious spoonful!

Tips to Perfect That Southern Flavor

• Creamy Texture Trick: Whisk eggs thoroughly before adding to prevent scrambling and ensure a silky smooth mac and cheese consistency.
• Cheese Blend Magic: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or monterey jack for complex flavor profiles that elevate the classic dish.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the mac and cheese up to a day in advance and refrigerate, then reheat in the slow cooker for 1-2 hours on low, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified for those with dietary restrictions.
• Crispy Topping Option: Before serving, transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with buttered breadcrumbs, and broil for 2-3 minutes to create a delightful golden-brown crust that adds wonderful texture and crunch.

How to Dish Out Southern Mac & Cheese

• Picnic Perfect Platter: Spread the mac and cheese on a large wooden board with crispy bacon bits, fresh chives, and sliced green onions sprinkled on top for a beautiful presentation.
• Comfort Food Companion: Pair with southern-style pulled pork, crispy fried chicken, or tangy coleslaw to create a hearty meal that brings warmth and nostalgia to the dinner table.
• Crunch Factor Topping: Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs, crushed butter crackers, or crispy fried onions over the mac and cheese just before serving to add a delightful textural contrast.
• Family Style Feast: Serve directly from the slow cooker at potlucks, game day gatherings, or family dinners, allowing everyone to scoop their own generous portion of creamy, cheesy goodness.

Make-Ahead Tips for Southern Mac & Cheese

• Smart Storing Secrets: Transfer any leftover mac and cheese into airtight containers, ensuring a tight seal to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate within two hours of cooking, keeping the dish at a cool 40°F or below to extend its delicious life for 3-4 days without compromising taste or texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Portion the mac and cheese into individual freezer-safe containers, allowing you to enjoy quick meals later. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Reheating Magic: Revive cold mac and cheese by adding a splash of milk before microwaving or warming in the oven. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and restore its creamy consistency, preventing dryness and maintaining that classic southern comfort food appeal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2-3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 8

Soulful Southern-Style Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

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• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy southern-style slow cooker mac & cheese brings comfort right to your dinner table. Cheesy, rich pasta layers meld together with classic Southern hospitality, promising a hearty meal you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2.5 cups (590 ml) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
• 1 (12 oz/340 g) can evaporated milk
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) sour cream
• 0.5 cups (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 16 oz (454 g) elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp dry mustard (optional, for extra flavor)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Parboil elbow macaroni until slightly firm, drain thoroughly, and set aside to prevent overcooking.
2. Slow Cooker Setup: Grease the interior of the slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray to ensure effortless serving and cleanup.
3. Cream Base Creation: Whisk together whole milk, evaporated milk, sour cream, melted butter, eggs, and seasonings until perfectly smooth and well-integrated within the slow cooker vessel.
4. Cheese and Pasta Fusion: Gently fold the pre-cooked macaroni into the creamy liquid, then gradually incorporate shredded cheese varieties, stirring methodically to achieve uniform distribution and prevent clumping.
5. Slow Cooking Process: Cover and set the slow cooker to low heat, occasionally stirring to promote even melting and prevent cheese from adhering to the sides. Allow the mixture to simmer and develop a luxurious, creamy consistency over 2-3 hours.
6. Final Touch and Serving: Perform a final gentle stir to ensure complete cheese integration, confirming the mac and cheese has reached a velvety, indulgent texture before serving piping hot.

Notes

• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Boil macaroni just until al dente to maintain a slight firmness, avoiding mushy texture in the final dish.
• Optimize Cheese Melting: Use room temperature cheeses and shred them freshly for smoother, more even melting throughout the mac and cheese.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Avoid adding extra liquid during cooking, as slow cookers naturally retain moisture and can make the dish too runny if overhydrated.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute lactose-free milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining the creamy Southern-style essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2-3 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 660 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg