Trisha Yearwood Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe

This rich and creamy Trisha Yearwood crockpot mac and cheese recipe is here to brighten up your dinner tables and spread its soothing flavors all over the house. I personally like my mac and cheese to be saucy and creamier, so I tried this particular recipe, and it turned out to be perfect. I had to share this will all of my readers.

In this recipe, the mac and cheese are cooked in a crockpot, so the cheese gets all the time to melt slowly and mix with the macaroni and other ingredients. Let make a cheesy bowl of macaroni and enjoy it within the comforts of our home.

How To Make Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

To begin with, I would suggest keeping everything ready before you start putting the ingredients together. The original Trisha Yearwood recipe uses boiled macaroni to prepare the mac and cheese, so for that it is boiled in salted water, then drained and rinsed under cold water.

The cooked macaroni is left in a colander until all the water is completely drained out of it. But I have saved sometime, and instead of using boiled macaroni in the recipe, I will simply add uncooked macaroni, the cooking time is enough to cook them.

The next big step is to set up the Crockpot. The cooking pot of the crockpot must be well cleaned. Plugin the device and remove its lid to add all the ingredients. I usually add milk or other ingredients first and then add the macaroni or else they might stick to the base upon heating.

When all the things are dumped into the crockpot, it is essential to give it a gentle stir so that all the ingredients are evenly mixed. Now that everything is in place, its time to let the Crockpot do its magic. Cover the macaroni and cheese and select the low temperature setting to slowly melt the cheese then finally set the cooking time to 3 hours or more. This time is enough to completely melt the cheese.

When the crockpot beeps to indicate that your mac and cheese is done then take a rubber spatula and mix the macaroni to prevent them being squished.

Ingredients

Cooking Spray: Used to grease the base of the crockpot to prevent sticking.

8 oz Elbow Macaroni, Uncooked: The primary ingredient, macaroni forms the base of the dish.

One 12 oz Can Evaporated Milk: Adds creaminess and richness to the mac and cheese.

1 1/2 Cups Whole Milk: Contributes to the creamy texture of the sauce.

1/4 Cup of Butter, Melted: Adds richness and helps in creating a smooth sauce.

Two 10 oz Bricks Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Grated: The main flavoring agent, providing the classic cheesy taste.

1 tsp Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Dash of Pepper: Adds a slight kick and depth to the flavor.

Dash of Paprika: Used for seasoning and adds a subtle warmth.

Optional: Parsley Sprig: Used for garnishing and adding a fresh element to the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• Cheese Quality: Opt for block cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture and creaminess of the mac and cheese.
• Cooking the Pasta: While some recipes suggest pre-cooking the pasta, others recommend adding uncooked pasta directly to the crockpot. If you choose the latter, ensure there’s enough liquid to cook the pasta thoroughly.
• Egg Incorporation: If the recipe includes eggs, beat them well before adding to the mixture. This helps to avoid curdling and ensures a smooth texture.
• Milk Choices: Some users have had success substituting part of the milk with heavy whipping cream for a richer flavor.
• Avoid Overcooking: Overcooking can lead to a grainy texture or separation. Keep an eye on the cooking time and temperature.

What To Serve the Mac n Cheese With?

There are many options to serve this mac and cheese with. Firstly, it is great to serve as a side dish to meatloaf. Then you can readily serve it along with beef steaks or pork chops. Grilled chicken, meat kebabs, grilled vegetable skewers, and pulled pork, all are the different entrees that you can serve with mac and cheese to make it a complete meal.

If you’re looking to add even more flavors to the recipe, then try some dried herbs like oregano, thyme or rosemary or some fresh herbs like finely chopped parsley and your mac and cheese will definitely taste heavenly.

The combination of cheddar cheese with milk and evaporated milk is my personal favorite as it is neither too heavy nor too light. You can also use a combination of different cheeses in this recipe like parmesan cheese, sharp cheese along with cheddar cheese.

Although there are shredded cheese packets available in the market, I usually shred them fresh just to get those good and long cheese strands in the mac and cheese. Similarly, adding chopped vegetables to the mac and cheese also creates its new tasty variants. I sometimes add finely chopped carrots or celery to the cooking mac and cheese just to add more crunch.

How to Make Trisha Yearwood Mac and Cheese in an Oven

There is another way to skip this long cooking time and get your mac n cheese done in less than an hour. That method is to bake the mac and cheese mixture for 50 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees F. This temperature is good enough to keep the macaroni creamy and saucy. Use a casserole dish to spread the macaroni, milk, and cheese mixture and then top it with remaining half of the cheese before baking. When it is done, simply slice and serve.

One-Pot Mac and Cheese

There is yet another way to serve Trisha Yearwood crockpot mac and cheese. It is perfect for individual servings and looks more convenient. Use 6 ramekins or more, as per the total macaroni content and divide this mixture into the ramekins, top each of them with remaining cheese, and then cover them with a foil sheet. Place these mac n cheese ramekins in the crockpot and pour 1 cup water around them. Now cover the pot’s lid and allow the mac and cheese to cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours then serve them directly in the ramekins. You can also bake these ramekins in the oven and enjoy.

Conclusion

Now you know how to make this super creamy Trisha Yearwood macaroni recipe with the little effort and maximum flavors. You’re aware that you can make them in your crockpot, but there are also other ways of cooking this meal that we have shared. I would say, to use them according to your cooking routine and try them whenever and wherever needed. Also try to add the variety of spices and other seasonings to surprise yourself and your family with whole new realm of taste. And don’t forget to write us your valuable feedback.

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