3 Cheese Mac and Cheese (in Crock Pot)

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If you love cheesy pasta, our Crock Pot mac and cheese is about to become your new favorite meal! This rich and creamy slow-cooker dish features three types of cheese, to create the cheesiest, most comforting dinner ever. This mac and cheese crock pot cream cheese is effortless and absolutely delicious.

Spoon in a green bowl of 3 cheese mac and cheese with a Hamilton Beach crock pot in the background.

Mac and cheese is a timeless comfort food that never goes out of style. But if you have a busy schedule, you may not have time to bake a traditional dish, like our white cheddar cheese mac and cheese recipe. That’s where this mac and cheese crock pot cream cheese recipe comes in—it’s a simple, hands-off way to make a rich and creamy version with minimal effort.

All you have to do is toss the ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and let the creamy crockpot mac cook to perfection. The blend of three cheeses melts beautifully into the noodles, to create a smooth, velvety sauce. Whether you’re making this for a weeknight dinner, holiday gathering, or meal prep, this dish is a crowd-pleaser every time!

Why We Love This 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ultra cheesy comfort food.
Using a variety of three cheeses creates extra flavor and a creamier texture. If you have never tried this recipe, prepare to be wowed!
Great dinner solution for busy families.
Making this the traditional way can be a bit time-consuming. That’s where this crockpot recipe comes in handy.
Our recipe for easy smoked mac and cheese recipe is a quick dinner solution, but you still have to stay in the kitchen to make it.
With this slow cooker recipe, you can make a classic dish without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus you don’t need to drain the water.
Freezes well and reheats quickly for easy meal prep.

Serving of cheesy pasta in a green bowl.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Pasta: We like to use elbow macaroni for a traditional mac n cheese. Any small pasta shape such as rotini, shells, or ziti are great substitute for elbow mac.
Cream cheese: Using full fat cream cheese creates the creamiest sauce, but light cream cheese will also work. Avoid using fat-free.
Cheeses : For our recipe, we use cream cheese, plus a blend of sharp cheddar cheese and either Monterey Jack or Gruyere.
Dry mustard: This spice is made by grinding mustard seeds. It can be found in the spice aisle of the grocery store.
Stone ground mustard or yellow mustard can be used as a substitute for dry mustard.
Evaporated milk: Don’t confuse this ingredient with condensed milk, which is milk that’s been boiled down and sweetened. Evaporated milk is highly concentrated, shelf-stable cow’s milk. Evaporated milk adds a creamy and rich flavor to this dish. It also helps to thicken the sauce and prevents it from separating. See below for substitutions.

Labeled ingredient to make mac and cheese recipe.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

How to Make Evaporated Milk from Whole Milk

Add 5 cups of whole or 2% dairy or non-dairy milk to a saucepan to make your own evaporated milk.
Bring the milk to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium.
Gently cook/reduce until 3 cups of milk is left in the saucepan. Allow the mixture to cool before using.

Recipe Variations

Make it spicy. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mix for a little heat.

If you like extra spicy pasta, you might enjoy our recipe for chili mac instant pot recipe.
Make it extra cheesy. We make this with cream cheese, plus two more other kinds. But if you want it cheesier, add an extra 1/2 cup to the top.
Add veggies. Mix in some chopped broccoli, frozen peas, or spinach for an extra nutritional boost.
Use different cheeses. Gruyere cheese and cheddar are delicious, but you can use nearly any type of cheese that melts well. Great options include Colby Jack, Swiss, Provolone, American, or even Velveeta. Then you can sprinkle parmesan on top before serving.

How to Make Mac and Cheese Crock Pot Cream Cheese

Oil the crockpot, or use a slow cooker liner.
Spraying the insides of the slow cooker crock with cooking spray helps to prevent the macaroni and cheese from sticking. Another option is to use a slow cooker liner.

The bonus of using a liner is that in most cases, you won’t even need to wash the crockpot! After removing the mac n cheese from the pot, remove the liner and throw it away.

Cut the cheeses into small cubes or shred on a box grater.
This will help the cream cheese and others to melt completely.
Be sure to use hot (preferably boiling) water.
If you add cold water to the slow cooker, your pasta may be slightly undercooked.

hot water and elbow macaroni in a slow cooker

Stir after the first hour of cook time, if possible.
Stirring helps to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the crock pot. It will be fine if you aren’t home or able to stir it.

making mac and cheese with cream cheese in a slow cooker

Test the pasta for doneness.
After two hours of slow cooking time on HIGH power, the macaroni should be cooked completely.

stirring pasta after 1 hour of slow cooking.

If the pasta is still chewy, place the cover back on the slow cooker and continue cooking on LOW power for 30 more minutes.

If your sauce is grainy, it could be because the cheese has not melted completely. Or it may have cooked for too long, causing the sauce to separate.

To fix either of these problems, turn the crock pot to LOW heat and stir gently to recombine the sauce and/or help to melt completely.

using a wooden spoon to stir 3 cheese mac and cheese in a crock pot.

Serving Suggestions

This Crock Pot mac and cheese is best served warm, straight from the slow cooker, so the shredded cheese stays perfectly melty. It can be enjoyed as a main dish or side dish, making it ideal for potlucks and family meals.

For a heartier meal, serve it alongside ham—especially if you have leftovers from our crock pot Dr Pepper ham. If you want to make it a side dish, it pairs beautifully with baked chicken tenders healthy, cast iron skillet chicken, or oven-roasted turkey tenderloin. Want to keep it simple? Serve it with a salad or a cozy casserole dish for a complete meal. However you serve it, this 3 cheese mac and cheese recipe is guaranteed to be a hit!

serving spoon in a pot full of cheesy pasta

Recipes FAQs

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, cook it at 50% power in the microwave until warm. You can also reheat it in the Crock Pot on low for 30 minutes or in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat.

Can I freeze this mac and cheese?

This meal holds up really well in the freezer, so it’s perfect for making quick and easy meals. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. However, the pasta may be a little bit mushy after being frozen and reheated.

Can I add seasonings to enhance the flavor?

Absolutely! A sprinkle of onion powder adds a subtle savory depth, while a pinch of paprika or cayenne can give it a little kick. Or add garlic powder and butter.

Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes! You may use American cheese, cheddar cheese sauce, and shredded cheese. It creates the best creamy consistency, you can swap it for extra flavor.

horizontal photo of slow cooker mac and cheese with cream cheese in a green bowl with a spoon at the side.

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