I've posted my recipe for Baked Mac and Cheese but these two recipes using a slow cooker or crock pot are just as tasty, and couldn't be simpler. One uses dry pasta, the other cooked pasta; and one uses an egg, while the other doesn't.
Both are good and a great side dish with ham, fried chicken, pork, hamburgers or hot dogs.
If not having evaporated milk on hand, make your own by mixing 2/3 non-fat dry with 3/4 cup of water.
This recipe doesn't have a "crunch" on top, but if wanting that, you can spread finished mac and cheese in a serving dish or ramekins, top with buttered crumbs and put under a broiler for a few minutes until the topping crisps up.
I like making mac and cheese then having leftovers around for lunches for a few days.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese #18 oz. (2 cups) elbow macaroni, cooked
2 tsps. olive oil
1 cup evaporated milk, or substitute
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
dash of Tabasco
1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
2 cups of Cheddar cheese or a cheese blend
4 Tabs. butter, melted
optional: sour cream for a dollop of garnish
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
dash of Tabasco
1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
2 cups of Cheddar cheese or a cheese blend
4 Tabs. butter, melted
optional: sour cream for a dollop of garnish
Partially cook macaroni, about 4-5 minutes; drain in a colander and rinse with hot water. Butter sides and bottom of a 3-1/2- to 4-quart crock pot with about 2 Tabs. of butter.
Combine macaroni with remaining ingredients, including the rest of butter in crock pot and blend well. Cover and cook on low for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours, stirring a few times.
Combine macaroni with remaining ingredients, including the rest of butter in crock pot and blend well. Cover and cook on low for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours, stirring a few times.
Can serve with a dollop of sour cream on top or mixed in.
Serves 6-8.
Estimated cost: $2.40 or less; .40 cents a serving or less.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese #2
8 oz. (2 cups) dry elbow macaroni
12 oz. can of evaporated milk, or substitute
12 oz. can of evaporated milk, or substitute
2 cups milk
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 egg
dash of Tabasco
1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
2 -1/2cups of Cheddar cheese
optional: sour cream for a dollop of garnish
Spray crock pot with non-stick spray. In a bowl mix milk, evaporated milk, egg, and seasonings. Pour into pot, then add dry pasta and cheese and stir well. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Can serve with a dollop of sour cream on top or mixed in.
Serves 6-8.
Estimated cost: $3.00 or less; .50 cents a serving or less.
