Hearty, Southern Mac & Cheese {Crockpot}

Posted on the 03 January 2013 by Wifessionals @wifessionals
pitter, patter goes my heart.

I am such a Southern girl.
Hence, why the first year I got to host Christmas dinner, I chose to make a Southern feast.


When I was planning the menu there were two things that were non-negotiable:
sweet tea + mac & cheese

So I set off to make the tastiest macaroni and cheese my kitchen has ever produced.

amazing success.

I made the basic recipe for Christmas dinner.
These pictures show me making it a second time with portobello mushrooms and turkey sausage.

Either way is fantastic.
Adding additions, like the mushrooms & sausage, turn it into a meal instead of a side.

Best of all - it uses your crockpot (:
Enjoy!



Hearty, Southern Mac & Cheese

{as a side, serves 4-6}


Ingredients
2 cups whole grain elbow pasta
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can healthy request condensed cheddar soup
8oz 1/3 fat cream cheese
2 cups milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1-1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions
1// Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook only until al dente. Pasta should still have a bite to it. Rinse with cold water and drain in a strainer.
2// Sauté the garlic with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. After about a minute, melt the cream cheese in the pan. Add in cheddar soup and stir well.
3// Gradually add in milk and stir until smooth. Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Add more to taste if desired.
4// Add the pasta into the sauce and mix completely.
5// Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Pour half of the cheesy noodles into the crockpot. Layer 1/2 - 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese on top. Press the cheddar down into the noodles.
6// Add the rest of the pasta on top and sprinkle with another 1/2 - 3/4 cup cheddar. Press the cheddar cheese into the noodles again.
7// Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2-4 hours. Stir and serve.



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