🧀 Paula Deen’s Crockpot Mac and Cheese

📝 Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 1/2 lb)
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 2 ½ cups (10 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup half-and-half
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (optional)

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🍲 Directions:

1. Boil pasta: Cook macaroni according to package directions until just al dente. Drain well.
2. Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, butter, 2 cups of cheddar cheese (reserve ½ cup), eggs, sour cream, cheddar cheese soup, milk, half-and-half, salt, and pepper.
3. Transfer & cook: Pour mixture into a greased crockpot. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheese on top.
4. Cook low & slow: Cover and cook on low for 2½ to 3 hours. Stir once halfway through, if needed.
5. Serve warm: The edges should be golden, and the center should be creamy and set. Serve directly from the slow cooker for easy entertaining!

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⏱️ Time:

• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 2.5–3 hours
• Total: ~3 hours

🍽️ Servings: 6–8

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✅ Tips for Perfect Crockpot Mac and Cheese:

1. Don’t overcook the pasta
   – Boil it just until al dente (still slightly firm). It’ll cook more in the crockpot and stay perfectly tender.
2. Shred your own cheese
   – Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can affect meltability. For a smoother sauce, shred block cheddar.
3. Use full-fat dairy
   – Whole milk and full-fat sour cream give the dish its signature rich and creamy texture. Skimping here can make it dry.
4. Keep the lid on
   – Lifting the crockpot lid lets out heat and steam, which can mess with the cooking time and texture.
5. Low and slow is key
   – Don’t cook on high, even if you’re tempted to speed things up. It could scramble the eggs or dry out the cheese sauce.
6. Stir once midway (optional)
   – If you’re around, gently stir halfway through to prevent any burning around the edges—but don’t over-mix.

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📝 Notes:

• Flavor add-ins: Try mixing in a little garlic powder, paprika, or mustard powder for a flavor boost.
• Cheese blend idea: Swap a portion of the cheddar with mozzarella for extra stretch or pepper jack for a little kick.
• Make it meaty: Stir in cooked crumbled bacon, ground beef, or chopped ham to turn it into a full meal.
• For extra creaminess: Add a few ounces of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream.
• Reheating tip: Add a splash of milk before reheating leftovers to bring back the creaminess.

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