Mac and cheese for pot luck. Make ahead? Crock pot?

[Anonymous]

I want to bring mac and cheese to a work pot luck. There won't be an oven. I could make it at home in the oven, then dump it into a crock pot to keep it warm. But will that make it become less creamy as is sits in the crock pot? I also found some recipes to make it in a crock pot, but it seems tricky to keep the consistency right and keep the pasta non-mushy.

Have you done this? Ideas?

I'll have 4 hours from the time I arrive at work until meal time.

[Anonymous]

If there are microwaves, you could take it in a glass casserole dish and warm it in the microwave. Success depends on how may other people plan to heat food up.

[Anonymous]

I would make a stovetop version (not baked), then transfer it to the crockpot to keep warm.

I think the consistency of baked pasta will get weird sitting in a crockpot. Stovetop versions can be kept more al dente to start with, so more forgiving.

[Anonymous]

Yes! I have done this. I made this recipe: https://www.recipe-diaries.com/crockpot-mac-and-cheese/#tasty-recipes-14358

I mixed ingredients at home and brought it already mixed together in the slow cooker. Turned on the crockpot at work and a few hours later it was ready to go. Everyone loved it.

I also make this recipe on Thanksgiving for the kids.

[Anonymous]

If you are willing to haul your crockpot into work - you could take an InstantPot instead - and just make it fresh for the lunch - very simple - no other bowls needed.

[Anonymous]

This is the instapot mac and cheese recipe I use and it is great!
https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/instant-pot-mac-and-cheese/

[Anonymous]

https://www.spendwithpennies.com/instant-pot-mac-and-cheese/

[Anonymous]

Curious if you're in DC, OP. Only asking b/c my DC office of an international firm has banned all shared food. Can't even bring in a pizza pie - only individually-wrapped slices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.spendwithpennies.com/instant-pot-mac-and-cheese/

For the instant pot mac and cheese, do you leave it on warm as you add cheese and milk? I found the instant pot mac and cheese to be stringy and not cheesey like stove top. I have the newest instant pot (evo duo plus) and maybe it needs to be in there less time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious if you're in DC, OP. Only asking b/c my DC office of an international firm has banned all shared food. Can't even bring in a pizza pie - only individually-wrapped slices.

Not in DC. This is our first work pot luck since Covid. I'm not entirely sure it's allowed, but my office loves this kind of thing, so in we go.