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.
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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 in 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.
Ingredients
This super creamy mac and cheese has-
- Cooked elbow pasta
- Pasterized cheese spread (aka Velveeta) is the KEY to making sure the cheese melts into every noodle
- Evaporated milk
- A simple seasoning of parsley flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper
How to make mac and cheese for a crowd
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.
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.
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.
What to serve with this easy macaroni and cheese recipe?
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Mac and Cheese for a Crowd
Equipment
- 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 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:
- 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.
Originally published in October of 2018. Updated post in November of 2021 with new photos, same great recipe.
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Last Updated on November 20, 2021 by [email protected]
This looks delicious!
Thank you so much!
How do I share this recipe yomy facebooks so it’s there for me to make this coming Suy
Thank you, Roberta, I have sent you an email with the information.
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.
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.