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Slow Cooker Buffalo Mac & Cheese

I modified the original recipe to be cooked in a slow cooker/crock pot.
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Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 3 hrs
Total Time 3 hrs 30 mins
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for the dish
  • kosher salt
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery finely chopped
  • 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2/3 cup hot sauce divided
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
  • 1 lb yellow sharp cheddar cheese cut into 1-inch cubes ( about 3 1/2 cups)
  • 8 ounces monterey jack pepper cheese shredded ( about 2 cups)
  • 2/3 cup blue cheese dressing
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

  • Butter a large (2-3 qt) slow cooker.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes or so. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, melt 3 T. butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft. About 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes, then add 1/3 cup hot sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 more minute.
  • Melt 2 T. butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mustard with a wooden spoon until smooth. Whisk in the half & half, then add the remaining 1/3 cup hot sauce and stir until thick, about 2 minutes.
  • Whisk in the cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, then whisk in the blue cheese dressing until smooth.
  • Spread half of the macaroni in the slow cooker, then top with the chicken mixture and the remaining macaroni, then pour the cheese sauce evenly on top. Lightly shake the cooker to help the sauce penetrate to the bottom.
  • Put the remaining 2 T. butter in a medium microwave safe bowl and microwave until melted. Stir in the panko crumbs, blue cheese and parsley.
  • Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake until bubbly, cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Notes

1. I used Velveeta cheese for the “yellow sharp cheese”.
2. I cooked my own chicken instead of using a rotisserie chicken. I just cooked 2 large chicken breasts in hot sauce.
3. This makes a lot – it’s a great pot luck dish or invite some people over to help you eat it.