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Mac and Cheese for a Crowd

October 25, 2018 by [email protected] 10 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This mac and cheese for a crowd has only a few ingredients and comes together easily.  Set it and forget it in the slow cooker so you can enjoy the party and not be stuck in the kitchen.

I’ve been making this mac and cheese recipe for years.  It’s always my go-to when people are coming over.  The pasteurized cheese spread melts perfectly with the pasta to create this deliciously cheesy dish that goes with literally any main dish that you are servings – hot dogs, hamburgers, or smoked meats.

overhead shot of Velveeta mac and cheese in a crock pot with a spoon in it.
Jump to:
  • The ingredients and why they make this dish a MUST for your next party
  • How to make mac and cheese for a crowd step-by-step
  • Cover and set the slow cooker as follows
  • Tips & Variations
  • What to serve with this easy macaroni and cheese recipe?
  • Mac and Cheese for a Crowd
side shot of macaroni and cheese with a spoon in it.

Did you just say ‘pasteurized cheese spread’?
Yes, yes I did.  It still exists and it’s truly THE BEST way to make this mac and cheese. While I do not keep it in my fridge on a regular basis this recipe is one reason why you might want to keep it on hand.

This recipe calls for only half the amount of pasteurized cheese spread.  I made this twice a month for my son’s birthday and then another party, so all I was out was 2 boxes of pasta and two cans of evaporated milk.  Total cost for this homemade macaroni and cheese for 2 parties: Less than $11.00.  Double bonus: This macaroni and cheese for a crowd is also very economical.

super creamy mac and cheese in a bowl with a fork shot from the side.

The ingredients and why they make this dish a MUST for your next party

This super creamy mac and cheese has-

  • Cooked elbow pasta. Cooking the pasta according to package directions before adding it to the slow cooker is a must since there will not be enough liquid to cook it in the slow cooker.
  • Pasteurized cheese spread (aka Velveeta). This is the KEY to making sure the cheese melts into every nook and cranny.
  • Evaporated milk. This is what adds the level of creaminess to this dish that regular milk cannot substitute.
  • A simple seasoning of parsley flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. These are the simple seasonings that I use, it ensures that the cheese is the star of the show.

How to make mac and cheese for a crowd step-by-step

Cook the elbow pasta according to package directions and drain.

In a small bowl add the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and parsley flakes.  Stir to combine.

seasoning for macaroni and cheese with descriptive text overlay.

Add the drained pasta to a greased crockpot.

Cube 1/2 the package of pasteurized cheese spread.  Place on top of the pasta in the crockpot.

collage image of making crock pot mac and cheese with descriptive text overlay.

Shake the evaporated milk, then open and pour over the pasta and cheese.

Pour the seasoning over the top of the pasta and cheese.

Stir to completely combine all the ingredients together.

Cover with the lid of the crockpot and set according to the directions below.

Cover and set the slow cooker as follows

Since the pasta will continue to cook in the slow cooker *do not* leave on high heat for very long.

  • Serving immediately – set the slow cooker to high for up to 10 minutes, stirring often.
  • Eating within 30 minutes – set the slow cooker to low, stirring every 10 minutes.
  • Waiting longer than an hour – set the slow cooker to keep warm, stirring every 20 minutes. 

Tips & Variations

  • Use a different type of noodles such as small shells, ziti, or I even saw a shellbow dry pasta that would work great as well.
  • To make this recipe a whole meal, add diced cooked ham.
  • DO NOT substitute the evaporated milk with who, 2%, or even skim milk. The consistency will not be the same, so make sure to have evaporated milk on hand before starting this recipe.

What to serve with this easy macaroni and cheese recipe?

  • Baked Chicken in Parchment Paper
  • Stuffing-coated Chicken
  • Jerk Chicken Sandwiches

And here you are……

large batch macaroni and cheese with descriptive text overlay.

From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!

overhead shot of velveeta mac and cheese in a crock pot with a spoon in it.

Mac and Cheese for a Crowd

This recipe for mac and cheese for a crowd is a cheesy dish that's ready to party! Easy comfort food that has just a few ingredients but is so satisfying.
4.74 from 15 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crockpot mac and cheese, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Equipment

  • large pot for cooking the pasta
  • strainer
  • crockpot/slow cooker
  • large spoon

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow pasta cooked according to package directions
  • 16 ounces pasteurized cheese spread this is 1/2 of the 32 ounce package
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk shaken
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon parsley flakes

Instructions

  • Cook the elbow pasta according to package directions and drain.
    16 ounces elbow pasta
  • Add the drained pasta to a greased slow cooker.
  • Cube 1/2 the package of pasteurized cheese spread. Place on top of the pasta in the slow cooker.
    16 ounces pasteurized cheese spread
  • Shake the evaporated milk then open and pour over the pasta and cheese.
    12 ounces evaporated milk
  • In a small bowl add the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and parsley flakes. Stir to combine then pour over the pasta and cheese.
    1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
  • Stir to completely combine all the ingredients together.
  • Cover and set according to timing below. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Cover and set the slow cooker as follows:

Since the pasta will continue to cook in the crockpot *do not* leave it on high heat for very long.
  • Serving immediately – set the slow cooker to high for up to 10 minutes, stirring often.
  • Eating within 30 minutes – set the slow cooker to low, stirring every 10 minutes.
  • Waiting longer than an hour – set the slow cooker to warm, stirring every 20 minutes. 

Tips for making this recipe:

  • Substituting regular milk for evaporated milk is not advised since it will not let the cheese sauce melt properly.
  • Do not freeze this recipe. Pasta does not freeze well so if you don’t think that you will be eating it all, half or even quarter the recipe.
  • If you want to double this recipe, do not add all of it to the crockpot at once. You can make it on the stovetop and keep the 2nd portion in the refrigerator.
  • To store: leftovers should be added to a covered container and eaten within 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes depending on the amount.
Tried this recipe?Mention @mittenmommy or tag #mittenmovienight!

Originally published in October of 2018. Updated post in November of 2021 with new photos, same great recipe. 

*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.

Last Updated on September 19, 2022 by [email protected]

Filed Under: Mitten Meals

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mahnoor Khurram

    July 17, 2020 at 5:13 am

    5 stars
    This looks delicious!

    Reply
    • [email protected]

      July 22, 2020 at 6:05 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
    • Roberta Cox @gmail.

      June 28, 2021 at 9:25 pm

      How do I share this recipe yomy facebooks so it’s there for me to make this coming Suy

      Reply
      • [email protected]

        June 28, 2021 at 10:19 pm

        Thank you, Roberta, I have sent you an email with the information.

        Reply
        • Tricia

          April 7, 2022 at 12:05 am

          Have you ever made this in an electric roaster for a large gathering? If so, how many batches? Does it stay creamy if it’s kept warm?

          Reply
          • [email protected]

            April 12, 2022 at 8:53 pm

            This does stay creamy as it is kept warm, the key is to keep it at its lowest setting. I am not sure how a roaster compares in heating to a slow cooker but as long as there is a low heat setting, you should be good.

  2. Katie

    November 15, 2021 at 7:04 am

    Do you think I could double this recipe in the same crockpot? Every recipe I’ve made it, the noodles stick together and come out like a clump. But those are the recipes that the noodles are not cooked prior to putting into the crockpot. I’ve never made it with pre cooked noodles.

    Reply
    • [email protected]

      November 15, 2021 at 7:45 am

      Hi Katie! I guess it would depend on how big your crockpot is. I know the 16-ounce box of pasta comes up to the halfway point in my crockpot, so I would think that you could fit double that amount into the pot. That being said, I would worry that the noodles could stick together if they sit in the crockpot too long. You could potentially double the recipe and keep half of it in the refrigerator, then add it to the crockpot as it is needed at a later time.

      Reply
  3. Sarah

    July 6, 2022 at 10:50 am

    Do think this would work as well with shells? Has anyone tried it?

    Reply
    • [email protected]

      July 6, 2022 at 11:38 am

      Yes, I have used small shells before. Any noodle that is similar to the size of an elbow macaroni will work for this recipe. Enjoy!

      Reply

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