Easy Crockpot Mac N Cheese: My Creamy, Set-It-and-Forget-It…

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded (optional, for nuttiness)
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for subtle depth)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional for topping)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (optional for topping)