How to make slow cooker bacon mac and cheese (video)

When I was a little kid, I used to look forward to the days when my parents had long days at work and came home completely unprepared to cook dinner. Why, you might ask? Because that meant I got to have macaroni and cheese. Before you get carried away, I'm not talking about a balanced meal of vegetables, with a small side helping of macaroni made with fresh pasta and fine cheese. I'm talking about those Kraft Mac & Cheese dinner boxes that came with cheese-flavored powder and cooked with an extra helping of butter; those were the best.

Not much has changed since those early days, but my taste in mac 'n cheese has become far more sophisticated: I've added bacon. Just kidding, the recipe I wanted to share with you today is actually a really wonderful macaroni and cheese dish you can make in your slow cooker. It's one that I hope you'll enjoy on special occasions, or maybe just when you've had a long day at work.

You'll be able to tell from these ingredients alone, that this is no 3-ingredient excuse for mac 'n cheese, but stick with me for the recipe below!

Cooktop Cove

Slow cooker bacon mac and cheese

4-6

10 minutes

1 hour, 30 minutes

1 hour, 40 minutes

2 cups macaroni pasta

2 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

1.5 teaspoon corn starch

2 tablespoons butter cut into small cubes

1/4 cup cream cheese

1/4 cup parmesan (powdered)

1 cup colby jack or monterey

1.5 cup sharp cheddar

1/3 cup thinly sliced bacon

2-3 tablespoon chives

Add macaroni into a 6-quart slow cooker, then sprinkle corn starch on top and mix so that each noodle is lightly coated.

In a separate bowl, mix water and cream cheese, using the back or a spoon to push cream cheese spreading it into water. Mix until fully incorporated then add into slow cooker.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Evenly spread using the back of a spoon.

Cook on high for 1 hour 10 minutes, then stir.

Continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes, then stir again.

Serve with freshly chopped chives and be happy you didn't have to do much :)

Note: All slow cookers are a little bit different in temperature and calibration. This recipe was tested in Cooktop Cove's Test Kitchen using this slow cooker, which is available for purchase here.

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