Cooking Rico Cheese In A Crock Pot: How Long?

Cooking Rico cheese in a crockpot depends on the type of dish you are making. For example, if you are making a dip, it will take around 1-2 hours for the cheese to melt. However, if you are making mac and cheese, it will take around 2-3 hours to cook the pasta and melt the cheese.

How long to cook Rico cheese in a crock pot

The cooking time for Rico cheese in a crock pot varies depending on the quantity of cheese, the type of crock pot, and the desired consistency. Here are some guidelines and tips to help you cook Rico cheese in a crock pot:

Preparation

Before placing the cheese in the crock pot, it is recommended to shred or cube the cheese beforehand. Pre-packaged shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the melting process and final texture of the dish. Shredding or cubing the cheese yourself ensures a smoother and creamier result.

Cooking Time

The cooking time can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours or more, depending on the quantity of cheese and the desired consistency. For a single batch of crock pot mac and cheese, cooking on high for about 2 hours or on low for 3 hours is generally sufficient. However, it is important to monitor the crock pot and adjust the cooking time as needed, as slow cookers can vary in temperature and cooking speed.

Temperature Settings

It is recommended to cook the cheese on a lower temperature setting, such as low or warm, to prevent overheating and burning. Higher temperature settings can cause the cheese to separate or become greasy. If your crock pot only has "high" and "low" settings, it is crucial to keep a close eye on the cheese to prevent overcooking.

Stirring

Stirring the cheese occasionally during the cooking process is essential to prevent clumping and ensure even melting. When stirring, try to do it quickly to retain as much heat as possible inside the crock pot.

Double Batch

When doubling the recipe, use a larger crock pot, such as a 6-quart size. The cooking time will also increase slightly, cooking on high for about 2 and a half hours, with stirring after 1 hour and again after 2 hours.

Make-Ahead Option

If you want to prepare the dish ahead of time, you can mix all the ingredients except for the pasta. The pasta can be cooked, rinsed, cooled, and combined with the sauce just before cooking in the crock pot.

Oven Option

If you prefer or are short on time, this dish can also be prepared in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 30 minutes covered, followed by 30 minutes uncovered.

Tips for Success

• Use a crock pot liner for easier cleanup.
• Use high-quality pasta to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
• Adjust the recipe by adding spices, different types of cheese, or protein (such as shredded chicken or steak).
• For a full meal, add taco meat, chorizo sausage, or ground beef to the cheese dip.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the crock pot on a low setting or in the microwave.

How to prep crock pot mac and cheese

This creamy, indulgent crock pot mac and cheese is a great option for a family meal or for entertaining. It's an easy dish to make, with most of the work done by the slow cooker, leaving you free to get on with other things.

Ingredients

You will need:

• 12oz evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (smoked, if you have it)
• 1lb elbow macaroni
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 4oz Velveeta, cubed
• 8oz sharp cheddar, grated
• 4oz Monterey Jack, grated

Method

• Whisk together the milk, evaporated milk, salt, pepper and paprika in a bowl.
• Put the uncooked macaroni into your slow cooker and top with the cubed butter.
• Grate your chosen cheeses and sprinkle over the pasta.
• Pour the milk mixture on top and stir everything together.
• Put the lid on your slow cooker, turn it to low heat and leave for 2 hours. Remember to give it a stir after 1 hour, to stop the pasta from sticking together.
• Your mac and cheese is ready when all the liquid has been absorbed and the pasta is cooked.

Tips

• Make sure you use a good quality pasta, such as Barilla, to avoid the pasta becoming mushy.
• If you don't like Velveeta, you can use cream cheese or American cheese slices instead.
• If you want to adapt the recipe, you can add spices such as nutmeg, garlic powder or steak seasoning, or throw in some shredded chicken or hot dogs.
• If you want to make this in the oven, bake at 350°F for 30 minutes covered, then 30 minutes uncovered.

Crock pot mac and cheese ingredients

There are many different ways to make mac and cheese, but the two most popular types are southern or baked mac and cheese, and stovetop mac and cheese. The former includes eggs and is more like a casserole, while the latter is made with a béchamel sauce.

• Pasta: For crock pot mac and cheese, it is recommended to use uncooked elbow macaroni. Precooking the pasta can make it mushy. Boiling the macaroni for 2 minutes less than the package instructions and then rinsing it in cold water can help prevent overcooking. Thicker noodles, such as Barilla or Creamette macaroni elbows, are recommended to prevent the pasta from turning mushy.
• Dairy: A combination of milk, cheese, and other dairy products are used to create a creamy sauce. This can include whole milk, evaporated milk, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, and/or cream cheese. It is important to note that dairy can curdle and/or separate in a crock pot, so a traditional cream or cheese sauce may not hold up well.
• Seasonings: Basic seasonings like salt and pepper can be used, as well as onion powder, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to add some extra flavour.
• Eggs: These can be added to the mixture to make the dish richer.

Tips for Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

• Shred your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheeses do not work as well in crock pot mac and cheese. It is recommended to shred the cheese from a block yourself.
• Avoid pre-packaged shredded cheese: Pre-packaged shredded cheese contains an anti-caking agent that can make the final product gritty.
• Do not overcook the pasta: The pasta should be very firm after boiling. Rinsing the pasta in cold water will stop it from continuing to cook.
• Check the pasta early: Slow cookers can vary, so it is important to check the pasta early to prevent overcooking.
• Double the recipe for a crowd: If you are making this dish for a large group, you can double the recipe and cook it in a 6-quart crockpot.
• Make-ahead instructions: To prepare this dish ahead of time, mix all the ingredients except the pasta. The pasta can be cooked, rinsed, cooled, and combined with the sauce just before cooking.

Variations and Substitutions

• Cheese: While cheddar cheese is commonly used in mac and cheese, other types of cheese can be used as well. These include Gruyere, Monterey Jack, White American, White Cheddar, and Marble Cheese.
• Dairy-free options: For a dairy-free option, you can substitute the dairy milk with evaporated milk or create your own by simmering 2 1/4 cups of regular milk until it reduces to 1 cup.
• Vegetarian option: To make this dish vegetarian, you can substitute the condensed cream of chicken soup with condensed Cheddar cheese soup or cream of celery.

Cooking Instructions

After assembling all the ingredients, combine them in a crock pot and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Baking Option

If you prefer to bake your mac and cheese or are short on time, you can bake it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 30 minutes covered, followed by 30 minutes uncovered.

Crock pot mac and cheese cooking time

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a family favourite and a great comfort food dish. It is also perfect for camping or potlucks, basically, anywhere you don’t have an oven. It is a very easy recipe, but there are a few tips to getting it right.

This recipe takes only about 10 minutes to get into the Crock Pot and then it’s ready to go! The cooking time is 2 hours on high or 3 hours on low, stirring once or twice. If you are doubling the recipe, cook on high for 2 and a half hours, stirring after 1 hour and 2 hours.

Tips for cooking Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

• Use a Crockpot liner for easy clean up.
• Make sure to grate your own cheese, and don’t use pre-grated. The mac and cheese will be much creamier this way!
• If you decide to use a different shaped pasta, the cook times can vary, so make sure to check it after an hour and see how things are going!
• Once the pasta is cooked, make sure to turn the slow cooker to warm, or even turn it off and keep the lid on until ready to serve.
• You don’t have to use Velveeta cheese. Cream cheese or American cheese slices work great as a substitute.
• You can add spices such as nutmeg, dry mustard, garlic powder, steak seasoning, and taco seasoning. Even a little hot sauce or cayenne pepper for heat would be great!
• You can also add protein: shredded chicken, carnitas, or steak!
• Swap out the cheeses: Try using Pepper Jack instead of Monterey Jack, or even a Gruyere or Gouda.
• Make it creamier with Alfredo, or add in a few tablespoons of pesto to give it a really amped up Italian flavor!

How to store Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

If you have leftovers, simply store the mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave!

Crock pot mac and cheese make-ahead instructions

Ingredients

• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (I used smoked paprika)
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 4 ounces Velveeta, cubed
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, grated

Method

• In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Pour the uncooked macaroni into your 5-quart slow cooker. Top with butter and all cheeses.
• Pour the milk mixture on top and stir to combine.
• Do your best to press all the macaroni into the milk mixture. It won’t be completely covered, this is ok.
• Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring once after one hour.
• The mac and cheese will be done when all the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is cooked.

Notes

• Cook time can vary from 1 1/2 to 3 hours based on the type of pasta and slow cooker. Keep an eye on the pasta at about 1 1/2 hours and continue cooking accordingly.
• Only use freshly grated cheese. The pre-grated kind is coated so it won’t stick in the package, which will affect the creaminess.
• I used Barilla brand pasta.

Make-Ahead Instructions

To prepare this ahead of time, mix all of the ingredients except the pasta. The pasta can be cooked ahead, rinsed, and cooled. Combine the pasta and sauce ingredients in the crock pot just before cooking.

Frequently asked questions