Slow Cooker Southern-Style Mac and Cheese with Crispy Tater Tots

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A comforting Southern-inspired mac and cheese slow-cooked to creamy perfection, topped with golden, crispy tater tots for a playful crunch. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 190 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, whole milk, sharp cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 cups (about 12 oz) elbow macaroni
3 cups whole milk
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 oz, cubed cream cheese
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups frozen tater tots
as needed cooking spray

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Instructions

Step 1: Spray the inside of a 4-6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add 3 cups elbow macaroni, 3 cups whole milk, 3 tbsp melted butter, 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes after the first 2 hours, until macaroni is tender and sauce is creamy.
Step 3: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 4 oz cubed cream cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread 2 cups frozen tater tots on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy, turning halfway through.
Step 5: Spoon mac and cheese into serving dishes and top each with a generous handful of crispy tater tots. Serve hot.