Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Bowls Recipe - 3 Ways
For the ultimate mac and cheese party experience, try this loaded mac and cheese bowls recipe that sets up a bar for three custom versions!
Each version of mac and cheese is inspired by one of Lee Kum Kee's chili crisps - Original, Smoky, and Cilantro Flavored. By pairing with ingredients like corn, pulled pork, extra cheddar, or bacon, there's a wide variety of combinations you can make to build the mac and cheese bowl of your dreams!
It all starts with the same base of slow cooker mac and cheese, making it easy to transport and hold during gameday. From there, the only limit is your imagination - and the amount of chili crisp jars that you bring.
What You Will Need
Ingredients
- --For the Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese--
- 1 (1 lb.) box elbow macaroni, uncooked
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 (12 oz.) cans evaporated milk
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ tsp. dry mustard
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 (16 oz.) block sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 4 oz. American cheese, grated or cut into thin strips
- --For the Toppings--
- (Have enough to serve 6-8 people each)
- Pulled pork
- Crispy chicken strips, chopped
- Cooked bacon, crumbled
- Shredded mozzarella
- Shredded cheddar
- Shredded Parmesan
- Cojita Cheese
- Grilled Corn Kernels
- BBQ sauce
- Ranch
- Sliced green onions
- Sliced Limes
Seasoning
- 1 jar Lee Kum Kee Chili Crisp Original
- 1 jar Lee Kum Kee Chili Crisp Cilantro
- 1 jar Lee Kum Kee Chili Crisp Smoky
Made with
Lee Kum Kee products
How to make it
-
Grate the sharp cheddar and the American cheese.
-
Spray a 6–8 quart slow cooker with nonstick spray. Add the uncooked macaroni, melted butter, evaporated milk, whole milk, dry mustard, and salt. Stir well to combine.
Add the grated sharp cheddar and American cheese directly to the slow cooker. Stir everything together so the pasta is coated
Cover and cook on LOW for 1 hour. Stir well, cover again, and cook for 1 additional hour. When the pasta is tender and the sauce is creamy, switch the crock pot to WARM. (If the mac thickens as it sits, add a splash of warm milk to loosen.)
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Set up your Mac Bar: Place the warm mac & cheese front and center in the crock pot. Set out toppings in small bowls or a divided tray so everyone can build their perfect bowl
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Load it up & enjoy:
Pair creamy mac with ANY of your toppings — the combos are endless! Try:
• Spicy Fire Mac
A big drizzle of Lee Kum Kee Chili Crisp Original + extra cheddar = the ultimate spicy, cheesy comfort bowl.
• Cilantro Lime Street Mac
Lee Kum Kee Chili Crisp Cilantro + corn + cotija+green onion + a squeeze of lime for a fresh, street-food inspired twist.
• Smoky BBQ Pit Mac
Lee Kum Kee Chili Crisp Smoky + pulled pork + a little BBQ sauce = full backyard cookout energy in one bowl.
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