You have to try the Trisha Yearwood crockpot mac and cheese menu if you crave something cheesy!! Its beautiful combination of macaroni and cheese has earned Trisha Yearwood the title of one of the best mac and cheese foods.
It's not just the cheesy menu, and there's more punch in Trisha Yearwood that makes it a unique dish.
Most people think that all mac and cheese menus are the same. However, things are much different when it comes to the crock pot mac and cheese recipe!
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Of course, it does have essential and similar ingredients to other mac and cheese menus. You have milk, cheese eggs, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper seasonings, and paprika, giving a fresh and good taste.
However, there are also these perks and differences in the recipe.
Butter and cheese combo
You find that the Trisha Yearwood slow cooker mac and cheese has the milk and other ingredients like in other recipes, but with a different butter and cheese combo.
It's because Trisha tries out different combinations to come up with the recipe giving the best buttery and cheesy taste.
Some people feel that too much cheese and butter isn't a good idea.
However, it works well and is tastier than other available options.
Cooked in a crockpot or slow cooker
Trisha Yearwood also specifically instructs you to cook your dish in a Crockpot or slow cooker. While some people think that it won't change the taste much, they are wrong.
The slow cooking process dramatically enhances the flavor.
Besides, as macaroni is cooked in the slow cooker, it takes longer to prepare but gives the seasoning more time to get absorbed well in the mac and cheese dish.
That's about all the interesting information there is to share about this recipe.
She does cook it differently, and the style does give a sharp cheese and butter sensation while retaining the famous mac and cheese traits.
The slow cooking and different ingredients do make a significant difference, where you practically make your dish. You can use Trisha's recipe as an inspiration to develop your meal.
All you have to do is add your chosen ingredients, and you get Trisha Yearwood's unique crock pot mac and cheese dish.
Don't look any further if you are looking for something decadent and rich!
Trisha Yearwood's gooey homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is, to me, the best and most comforting food.
I couldn't control myself once I tasted it straight out of the Crockpot!
slow cooking and different ingredients do make a significant difference, where you practically make your dish. You can use Trisha's recipe as an inspiration to develop your meal.
All you have to do is add your chosen ingredients, and you get Trisha Yearwood's unique crock pot mac and cheese dish.
Don't look any further if you are looking for something decadent and rich!
Trisha Yearwood's gooey homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is, to me, the best and most comforting food. I couldn't control myself once I tasted it straight out of the Crockpot!
It's creamy and cheesy, making the perfect dish for any potluck, family get-together, holiday, BBQs, or football games.
What's better, it's so much easy to make in a single Crockpot!
I once thought that a mac and cheese ready-to-eat box meal was the best. However, now, it's not!
Today, this recipe is my favorite dish when I need something ready in a jiffy.
It's made using ingredients I usually have ready and is loved by the entire family, both kids and adults alike.
Extra tips
1 Bake your dish in the oven.
If a slow cooker isn't available, don't fret as this recipe works fine in the oven.
If you wish to bake your mac, you can do it by spreading some butter in a 9 x 13-inch pan and pour the cooked elbow macaroni.
Then, mix the ingredients well in it.
Now bake it at 350° F for 50 minutes, and your mac and cheese is ready!
2 You can customize the recipe
While Trisha's original recipe asked for two large, beaten eggs, I feel that you can cook the dish without eggs.
The only ingredients you need are macaroni, cheese, butter, milk, and some spices.
Plus, you can add more additives like bacon bits, cubed ham, or shrimps.. possibilities are endless.
3 Save time by adding uncooked macaroni
So while the recipe asks you to add cooked macaroni to the slow cooker, I've improvised by pouring the uncooked ones into the Crockpot.
I assure you, there is more than enough time for the elbow macaroni to cook well in the Crockpot!
So, save your time in cooking the pasta al dente, adding them straight into the mix is fine.
4 Freshly grated cheese.
While it's easier to use ready-made shredded cheese, it's not as tasty as using freshly grated cheese.
You may take time to grate all the cheese, but it does make a lot of difference to this famous Southern dish.
5 Adding more flavors
You can add some additional flavor to the recipe by adding some bacon, lobster, chili, ham, shrimp, or even fried chicken. It turns the comfort food into a complete meal.
6 More alternatives
Another alternative involves mixing 2 ½ cups each of sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack and adding it to the dish for cooking. It adds some zing to the dish.
You can also add some extra paprika, pepper, salt, dried mustard powder, onion powder, or garlic powder for a twist in flavor.
7 Experiment with a different type of cheese
Also try experimenting with white extra sharp cheese, Parmesan, or other favorites.
Adding four to eight ounces of cream cheese gives you a creamier mac and cheese.
8 Lining the Crockpot
I have a personal tip to share. I suggest lining the Crockpot while cooking to save washing the pot, a time-saver.
To me, Trisha Yearwood's mac and cheese is just right for any occasion. I do hope you relish it as much as we all at home do!
Why is it better to grate your own cheese?
Store-bought grated cheese varieties have added preservatives like natamycin and anti-caking agents like cellulose to keep the shreds from clumping up together inside the package.
But if you grate your cheese at home, your cheese won't have those additives; hence the cheese will taste creamier, fresher, and smooth that will yield a less clumpy cheese dip.
Can you cook Crock pot mac and cheese on high?
You can safely cook this recipe on a high setting for 90 minutes. Just remember that all Crockpots tend to cook at different temperatures.
So, your dish may be ready earlier if you use a slow cooker that runs hotter than average.
Similarly, Crock-Pots that cook at a low temperature need longer to cook. I suggest you keep an eye as it cooks to ensure you don't overcook the pasta.
Can I make crockpot mac and cheese the night before?
Yes, you can. Boil the pasta the night before if you plan to prep the mac and cheese in advance.
However, do rinse it under cold water after, washing will remove the starch, and prevent them from sticking together.
You can keep the cooked macaroni in the refrigerator overnight with the grated cheese and other ingredients.
All you have to do the next day is to add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook as instructed!
How to reheat crockpot mac and cheese
Don't worry if there are any leftover mac and cheese. You can always reheat it in the slow cooker on the 'Warm' setting.
How to make leftover mac and cheese creamy
This is for the microwave reheating method however, you can reheat the mac and cheese by using a crockpot and set it in a "warm" setting until the temperature of the dish reaches your liking.
Tip: Keep in mind that if you keep reheating leftovers, they will keep losing their flavor. Therefore, only grab a portion that you want to eat.
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- Prep a heat-proof container.
We all know that the more you reheat any food, the less it becomes appealing to our tastebud. Make sure you only take out whatever leftover you plan on eating and put it into the bowl.
- Prep a heat-proof container.
- Adding milk.
When it comes to reviving your leftover mac and cheese, the magic trick is to add a little bit of milk when reheating it. - Start gradually by adding one tablespoon of milk to every one cup. The amount of milk to be added will purely depend on how much amount you'll be eating. At first, the dish may look a bit funky, but don't fret as it only takes a while to see the result. I like to add half and half or heavy cream instead of milk to my leftover mac and cheese as it adds flavor and texture to the dish.
- Cover with a cling wrap.
Once you've decided how much mac and cheese you can muster to eat, place them in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Leave one corner slightly open to release the steam while reheating. - Heat it gradually.
When reheating a single serving in a microwave, heat it first for one minute (set your timer) and continue to warm it in 30 seconds intervals until the temperature reaches your liking.Overheating the mac and cheese can lead to an oily pile of cheese and noodles. - Meaning, the fat tends to separate from the cheese, which results in a buttery sauce.
What's the best cheese for Mac and Cheese?
While the recipe asks for cheddar cheese, you can always use your preferred cheese. You can play around with your favorite cheese, or you can make a combo of cheeses.
In this recipe, I combined sharp cheddar cheese + pepper jack and the result is creamy mac awesomeness.
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- white cheddar
- pepper jack
- sharp cheddar
- Gouda
- Gruyere
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella cheese
- and even Velveeta to add some zest instead of the mild cheddar my kids usually like.
Macaroni Substitute
Are you looking for something different? Try using rotini pasta instead of elbow macaroni for a change.
What goes well with Mac and Cheese
Crispy salads are the perfect pair that complements the richness of the cheese. Here are some of the salads that feature a rainbow of greens.
Ingredients you'll need
- 8 oz Elbow Macaroni (half-cooked)
- 1 can Evaporated Milk (12-oz can)
- 1½ cups whole milk (or use half and half for extra creaminess)
- 2 eggs (optional)
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese (or combine sharp cheddar and pepper jack. Use 2½ cups of each cheese - a total of 5 cups)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup Bacon bits (optional)
Step by step instructions
Prep your Macaroni:
1 Boil water in a large pot, add 2 tablespoon of salt. Once the water is boiling, pour the macaroni and let it half-cooked (around 3-4 minutes). Drain the water and set it aside.
Prep the Slow Cooker:
2 Spray some cooking oil all over the crockpot or place a cooking liner. Arrange the half-cooked elbow macaroni and add milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, beaten eggs (optional).
3 Sprinkle the spices and add 4 cups of the grated cheese. Mix all together.
4 Then, top with the remaining cheese (1 cup) and sprinkle with paprika.
5 Cook on low for 3 hours. My slow cooker gets pretty hot, so make sure to check your Mac and Cheese after 2 hours.
6 Once it's done, you can serve it warm and top with bacon bits.
Bake the Mac and Cheese (optional):
- After cooking in the crockpot, I decided to place some mac and cheese in the baking dish (just enough for 2 people) and I layered it with extra cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or until the top cheese has melted. Sprinkle with bacon bits and serve warm.
Notes
In case, you don't have a slow cooker or a crockpot, you can simply bake this recipe by greasing a 9x3 inches pan with butter, add the cooked macaroni, followed by the wet ingredients plus the spices.
Top with extra cheese. Cover with a foil and bake at 350°F for 50 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon bits and serve hot.
Other interesting recipes:
Full Recipe
Trisha Yearwood's Crockpot Mac and Cheese (Recipe)
Equipments:
- Slow Cooker or a Crockpot
Ingredients:
- 8 oz Elbow Macaroni (half- cooked)
- 1 can Evaporated Milk (12-oz can)
- 1½ cups whole milk (or use half and half for extra creaminess)
- 2 eggs (optional)
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese (or combine sharp cheddar and pepper jack. Use 2½ cups of each cheese - total of 5 cups)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup Bacon bits (optional)
Watch the Video:
Instructions:
Prep your Macaroni:
- Boil water in a large pot, add 2 tablespoon of salt. Once the water is boiling, pour the macaroni and let it half-cooked (around 2-3 minutes). Drain the water and set it aside.
Prep the Slow Cooker:
- Spray some cooking oil all over the crockpot or place a cooking liner. Arrange the half-cooked elbow macaroni and add milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, beaten eggs (optional).
- Sprinkle the spices and add 4 cups of the grated cheese. Mix all together.
- Then, top with the remaining cheese (1 cup) and sprinkle with paprika.
- Cook on low for 3 hours. My slow cooker gets pretty hot, so make sure to check your Mac and Cheese after 2 hours.
- Once it's done, you can serve it warm and top with bacon bits.
Bake the Mac and Cheese (optional):
- After cooking, I decided to place some mac and cheese in the baking dish (just enough for 2 people, and I layered it with extra cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or until the top cheese has melted. Sprinkle with bacon bits and serve warm.
Notes:
- In case you don't have a slow cooker or a crockpot, you can simply bake this recipe by greasing a 9x3 inches pan with butter, add the cooked macaroni, followed by the wet ingredients plus the spices.
- Top with extra cheese. Cover with a foil and bake at 350°F for 50 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon bits and serve hot.
Nutrition Information:
Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Elisa says
I cant wait to try this recipe of Trisha Yearwood using a crockpot.. but I still want to bake the mac and cheese after the slow cooker though.. I like gooey cheese..