

Baking in the oven allows the pasta to absorb even more cheesy flavor. The noodles are slightly undercooked before mixing them with the sauce. Often coated in breadcrumbs, this is perfect for snacking.Īnother popular cooking method is baked mac and cheese. Can I Cook This Differently?Ī beloved staple at pubs and fairs, fried mac and cheese is usually made into bite-sized pieces. Want to make it on the stovetop with little cleanup? One pot mac and cheese leaves you with a happy belly and few dirty dishes.

What Other Ways Can I Cook This Recipe?Īre you feeling like you need mac and cheese right now? Instant pot mac and cheese is done in a flash. Crock pot spaghetti is another great pasta recipe that is simplified in the slow cooker. Simply layer the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work. If you need a hearty meal but don’t have lots of time to fuss over the stove, try our easy crockpot lasagna.

What Other Crock Pot Pasta Recipes I Can Try?
For a dish certain to make everyone swoon, make our 5 cheese mac and cheese. Our motto should be “The cheesier, the better!” If that’s your motto too, try our 3 cheese mac and cheese. Be sure to cover the mac and cheese tightly so it doesn’t dry out.Ĭrock pot mac and cheese is so versatile that the variations are almost limitless! With a few easy swaps you can make a meal that is perfectly suited to your hungry family. While it probably won’t last long because it’s so tasty, the USDA recommends that most cooked leftovers will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Any sauce that you freeze should be thawed on a low setting to prevent scorching. Frozen pasta without sauce can be thawed in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. This prevents it from getting mushy when thawed. To keep the pasta as firm as possible it should be cooked to al dente, or even undercooked by 60-90 seconds. My family doesn’t seem to mind softer pasta at all. The pasta is, of course, a little softer than when first served. Since this mac and cheese is a custard-style mac and cheese rather than a saucy mac and cheese in a cheesy white sauce, it freezes rather well. This pasta recipe just may be one of the few exceptions to that general opinion. Can You Freeze This?Įxperts have varying opinions about freezing cooked pasta, but most seem to agree that the noodles and sauce turn out the best when frozen separately. A glass or plastic lidded dish is best for storing your leftover crock pot mac and cheese. While it might be tempting to use the ceramic slow cooker insert for storage, these containers aren’t designed for such use. A brief cooling period solves this issue. A piping hot meal can actually raise the interior temperature of your refrigerator by a few degrees, forcing it to work harder to stay cool. I use Colemans Dry Mustardīe sure to let your warm crock pot mac and cheese cool off for 15-20 minutes before you put it in the fridge. Dry spicy or hot mustard can sometimes leave a bitter aftertaste. And did you know nutmeg has one of the longest shelf lives of all spices – whole nutmeg can last 2-4 years at room temperature.ĭry mustard: When using dry mustard in sauces, choose one with a mild flavor. Freshly ground whole nutmeg produces a more vivid flavor than the pre-ground type. Actually, nutmeg adds warmth to many types of cream sauces too. Nutmeg: Many people think of nutmeg as being just for bakery goods. However, very firm cheeses, and some smoked varieties, tend not to melt smoothly. If you’re feeling creative, mix up your own blend of your family’s favorite cheeses. I really like the taste of gruyere in this dish and fontina also works really well. Any short pasta will work in this recipe, but those with ridges tend to hold the sauce best.Ĭheeses: We like cheddar, fontina, and mozzarella for the rich flavor they impart to this dish. Pasta: We love elbows (or other tube shaped pasta) for slow cooker mac and cheese because as the sauce forms a cheesy custard, the elbows are held tightly within it. There are countless variations, including adding pimento cheese or even jalapenos, and bacon, because of course, bacon makes everything better. Southern mac and cheese is a staple on holiday tables and at celebratory meals across the southern US. Southern Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Ingredient Notes Your family will ask for this recipe over and over. Using the slow cooker means you can make this mac and cheese year round without heating up the kitchen too much. Mac and cheese is comfort food at its best. Simple Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe Notes I love adding a few teaspoons Italian seasoning, which if you’re a regular reader you may have noticed, is one of my favorite spice blends. You can make this recipe even tastier by using spices you probably already have in the pantry.
