My aunt brought this incredibly gooey casserole to our last gathering. Just 4 ingredients to make the ultimate cheesy comfort food.

My aunt Ruth showed up at our last church potluck with this incredibly gooey casserole tucked under her arm, and I swear the line formed before she even set it down. It’s the kind of simple, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food you still see on Amish tables around here: just noodles, Swiss cheese, butter, and a splash of cream, all melted together low and slow until it turns into a bubbly, golden-edged blanket of cheese. This slow cooker version keeps it easy for busy days or family gatherings—four humble ingredients, hardly any fuss, and you end up with the ultimate cheesy comfort food that tastes like it’s been passed down for generations.

Serve these Amish Swiss cheese noodles straight from the slow cooker while they’re still hot and gooey, with a big spoon for everyone to help themselves. They’re hearty enough to stand as a main dish alongside a simple green salad or steamed vegetables, but they also make a perfect side for Sunday ham, roast chicken, or meatloaf. A jar of pickled beets or dill pickles on the table adds a nice tang against all that richness, and a pan of applesauce or baked apples fits right in with the old-fashioned Midwestern feel.

Servings: 6

12 oz wide egg noodles, uncooked

Spray the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease it with butter to help prevent sticking.

In a large bowl, toss the uncooked egg noodles with the melted butter until all the noodles are lightly coated. This helps keep them from clumping and adds rich flavor.

Spread the buttered noodles evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker, gently shaking the crock so they settle into an even layer.

Sprinkle 3 cups of the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the noodles, reserving the remaining 1 cup of cheese for later.

Slowly pour the heavy cream over the noodles and cheese, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible so the noodles can soak it up while cooking.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, without stirring, until the noodles are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. The edges will start to look set and creamy.

Once the noodles are tender, gently stir from the bottom to coat everything in the melted cheese and cream, then smooth the top back into an even layer.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the surface. Cover and continue cooking on LOW for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the cheese on top is fully melted and the edges are bubbling.

If your slow cooker has a bake or brown setting, or if the lid is oven-safe and the crock is removable and ovenproof, you can place the uncovered crock under a hot broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to lightly toast the top layer of cheese. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn.

Let the casserole rest, covered, for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve the noodles hot and gooey straight from the slow cooker.

For a slightly lighter version, you can swap half-and-half for part of the heavy cream, though it won’t be quite as rich or thick. If you like a little extra tang, stir in a small handful of grated Parmesan with the Swiss or use a mix of baby Swiss and regular Swiss. To make it feel more like a full meal, fold in 1 to 2 cups of diced ham or cooked, shredded chicken during the final 30 minutes of cooking. A pinch of black pepper or a light dusting of paprika over the top before the last sprinkle of cheese adds a nice hint of warmth without taking it out of its traditional comfort zone. If you need to hold the dish for a potluck, switch the slow cooker to WARM once the noodles are tender and the cheese is melted, and give it a gentle stir every so often, adding a splash of cream if it starts to dry at the edges. Wide Amish-style or homemade egg noodles work especially well, but if yours are very thick, you may need an extra splash of cream and an additional 15 to 30 minutes on LOW to reach that perfectly soft, creamy texture.