Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Don't Get any Easier Than This!
Oct 16, 2007
This macaroni and cheese recipe couldn't be easier to prepare. Just cook the noodles, toss everything in the Crock Pot, and voila! A few hours, later you've got warm and creamy macaroni and cheese. It's the ultimate comfort food.
And this Crock Pot macaroni and cheese recipe is the perfect dinner for those nights when the kids have late afternoon soccer practice or girl scouts.
Even better: This macaroni and cheese recipe is wonderfully healthy, too. Whole wheat macaroni gives this dish extra fiber and protein. Look for a brand that has heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, such as Barilla, for an extra dose of good nutrition.
What's more, the red pepper, broccoli florets and onions give this macaroni and cheese added vitamins and minerals. And even though this recipe calls for non-fat evaporated milk, it is no less creamy than the full-fat version.
If you want to lighten the calorie and fat load even more, simply use low-fat cheeses in place of the regular cheeses.
It is important to cook the macaroni before you put it in the slow cooker. Also, you must cook this dish on low. Otherwise the macaroni may get burned. And unlike other crock pot recipes, you really can't leave this dish all day. If you're close by, check it and stir it after the first hour. If not, set it for 2-3 hours and check it then.
If you like this macaroni and cheese, you may also be interested in these recipes: Baked Macaroni and Cheese Souffle, Healthy Macaroni and Cheese, Italian Baked Pasta, Baked Penne Pasta with Broccoli, and Baked Spaghetti a la Pizza.
Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked whole wheat elbow macaroni (such as Barilla)
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 13 oz. can evaporated skim milk
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large red pepper, diced finely
- 1 large yellow onion, diced finely
- 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
Directions:
- Spray the Crock Pot stoneware with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir. Set on low and cook for 1 to 2 hours. Stir.
- Cook on low another 1 to 2 hours, checking and stirring the macaroni and cheese to make sure it doesn't get overcooked.
Serves 8.
Per serving: 349 calories, 16 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 47 mg cholesterol, 31 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 20 g protein, 37% vitamin A, 75% vitamin C, 48% calcium, 10% iron
