Mac ‘n’ Cheese in the Slow Cooker

Mac ‘n’ cheese is a family favourite that the kids always love. Now you can try it in the slow cooker for an extra easy set-and-forget kind of weeknight dinner. The garden peas add pops of juicy sweetness, and you can serve it with a side salad, too, to ensure everyone gets their daily dose of veg.

How to make mac ‘n’ cheese in the slow cooker: key tips

Coating the macaroni in flour and grated cheese helps to prevent the pasta shapes from sticking together in the liquid, and also builds the thick cheesy sauce.

As the pasta cooks, starches are released, which can cause the shapes to clump. Stirring the mixture at least once during cooking helps to distribute the starches throughout the cheesy sauce, loosening up the pasta mixture.

As the peas are already cooked, you will only need to heat them through before they are ready to eat.

Key ingredients in this mac ‘n’ cheese in the slow cooker recipe

Macaroni is a small short pasta that is the ‘mac’ behind mac ‘n’ cheese. You could also use other pastas, such as elbows, ditalini or liscio piccolo, if that’s what you have.

Cheddar cheese is easily available and affordable and ranges in flavour from mild to sharp. You can choose whichever style you prefer in this dish.

Massel Liquid Stock Chicken Style is plant-based and only chicken flavoured, and so is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The garden peas add a lovely sweetness that cuts through the richness of this simple meal, while the chives provide a tasty onion flavour.

Why not browse these easy and fast pasta recipes, too? And these 35 delicious chicken pastas are worth a look as well.

This recipe was originally submitted by Lucy Nunes for Massel. Introduction and additional recipe notes by Natasha Shaw.