The BEST Crowd Pleasing Mac and Cheese
Do you find that mac and cheese is a crowd pleasing favorite? A homemade mac and cheese recipe that is requested?
Well, I have a friend who made the BEST crowd pleasing macaroni and cheese recipe EVER!
Here’s how it began…
I am a member of an honorary society of women educators who are amazing. Every year we do fundraisers for scholarships given to high school seniors who have selected education as their major.
That’s where THIS FAVORITE CROWD PLEASING MAC & CHEESE recipe was discovered.
A 4-H Banquet in my hometown brought a menu that was sure to please the youth and their parents who would be there.
Of course, those kids would love macaroni and cheese. Right?
In came my friend, Amye, with a crock pot full of the most amazing looking macaroni and cheese. I was amazed.
No drying out.
Perfect consistency.
And the flavor? OH, MY!
I knew I had to share it with all of you. The problem was…I didn’t take a photo of the finished recipe BEFORE the guests had scraped the bottom clean.
Perfect mac and cheese recipe.
Proof was in the empty container.
Now…I realize that you probably won’t make this full recipe for an evening meal for four of you…but…on those occasions when you need to prepare something for a large gathering? THIS is the recipe that needs to come out of your recipe file and out on the table.
Trust me. It will ALL be eaten!
For occasions that have fewer people who love macaroni and cheese? Just half the recipe.
With the recipe shared and added to my phone…off I went in glorious glee to have it saved and ready for the next gathering that screamed for it.
Here’s the recipe…
First, begin with a large elbow macaroni cooked and drain.
Next, add macaroni back to the pan with a stick of butter.
Then, turning the burner on low…add the cheese and melt.
My favorite part of this mac and cheese?
It stays creamy in a crockpot which makes it the PERFECT recipe for large gatherings.
Simply stir in evaporated milk and then add to the crockpot to keep warm.
TIP: Keep adding evaporated milk to keep it creamy…
That’s it!
Seriously!
I realize that it’s probably not the “healthiest” recipe…but…for a crowd who love macaroni and cheese? Yes, please!
And if you want to add a favorite natural cheese rather than the Velveeta to this one…let me know which you used, won’t you?
Crowd Pleasing Macaroni and Cheese
Equipment
- 1 dutch oven
- 1 crock pot
- Stove
Ingredients
- 32 oz macaroni, large elbow- cooked and drained
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cans evaporated milk or more to keep creamy
- 1 32 oz. Velveeta cheese
Instructions
- Place macaroni in Dutch oven with water and cook as directed on package.
- Cut entire block of cheese into cubes and set aside.TIP: You can buy velveeta grated, but it does cost more.
- Drain macaroni and place back into Dutch oven along with butter. Mix until butter is melted.
- Add cheese and stir on low until melted.
- Add one can of evaporated milk and stir.
- TIP: If you need to take it to a gathering or keep heated for a large group, serving from a crockpot works beautifully with this recipe.Add the prepared macaroni and cheese to a crockpot and add an additional evaporated milk and stir together.
- Turn crockpot on warm until serving.TIP: if it appears to dry out, continue adding evaporated milk to keep it a creamy consistency….you can add several cans, if needed,
- NOTE: Simply half this recipe to make it for a smaller gathering. Serve immediately from the dutch oven, if no crockpot is needed.
Notes
I just couldn’t wait to try this recipe.
So, with my great nieces here for a visit, they helped me prepare and enjoy this new recipe. They left with happy mac and cheese filled tummies.
The next batch that I made for dinner was a bowtie pasta with fresh steamed broccoli added in for a perfect side dish. YUM! Wish I would have taken a photo before that bowl got scraped clean! It was amazing.
Now I realize that some of you love a great baked macaroni and cheese with a wonderful topping. That’s a favorite, too. So…I’ll be giving this one a try with a great topping soon.
Can I tell you that this recipe would be perfect to add a can of drained tuna and a package of steamed peas and carrots for a great lunch option? A new version of a tuna casserole made easier. No baking needed.
I may have to change out the processed cheese for a great natural cheddar cheese and see how it works with that evaporated milk. I’ll let you know which version we love better.
What other ingredients would you add to this mac and cheese recipe?
I’d love to know in the comments!
Here’s my favorite pot to prepare this recipe in and a great crockpot to take it to family gatherings. Just click on the affiliate link for easy shopping that helps this blog provide more great recipes.
If you need more great side ideas for large gatherings…I can help you out!
Love this new mac and cheese recipe!
Thanks, Amye Sutton, for sharing it so that I could share it with all of you.
With Father’s Day and July 4th gatherings soon, this may need to be your favorite go to recipe!
I may have to create another gathering just to have it on the table again.
Anyone up for sharing it with me?
9 Comments
Tammy
You can never go wrong with Mac ‘N Cheese. It makes no difference cooked on the stove or casserole style, Mac ‘N Cheese is the best comfort food ever! It looks good my friend.
Leslie J Watkins
I was amazed at how creamy it stayed in that crockpot…although it didn’t last long! I’ve already made several with other ingredients added and they are ALL keepers! Enjoy!
Cindy Walker
OMGOODNESS!!! Yum! Yum! Never thought to add evaporated milk. Thank you for sharing another great recipe. If you haven’t already, you must create a cookbook. It would be a #1 bestseller
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Cindy. A cookbook is in my future…now when to have the time to pull it together…right? Thank you so much for always encouraging! Treasured, my friend. Hope you enjoy this recipe.
Martha+Wallace
I wish I liked Mac & cheese. That sounds so easy! A crock pot full would certainly feed a huge crowd!
Leslie J Watkins
The littles in your life might really love this one. The ability to have mac and cheese stay creamy in a crock pot blew my mind!
Missy
Mac and Cheese never fails to make me VERY happy! The evaporated milk is genius!
Leslie J Watkins
I know! I do think that’s a secret ingredient for this. To have mac and cheese stay creamy in a crockpot is amazing! Hope you love it!
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