THE EASIEST Instant pot macaroni AND CHEESE
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese: An Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Jump to RecipeMacaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that's perfect for any occasion. The Instant Pot makes it even easier to make your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe, with less energy than the oven or stovetop. This Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese recipe uses just one pot and takes only 15 minutes from start to finish!
Table of contents
In addition to being faster than other methods, using an Instant Pot also allows you to control the temperature more precisely so that you can cook your pasta perfectly–without having to worry about burning it or undercooking it.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni in a box or bag
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese Optional
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese Optional
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika or parsley Optional
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Equipment
To make macaroni and cheese in your pressure cooker, you will need:
- an Instant Pot (duh)
- a wooden spoon
- and a knife (to cut the butter)
Tips and Variations
- Add different cheeses. You can use any combination of cheeses you like but always make extra sharp cheddar the main cheese for an extra kick of flavor.
- Use whole wheat pasta or gluten free (that's what we used). If you're looking to make this dish healthier, try using whole wheat or gluten free pasta instead of regular white pasta! It will still be creamy and delicious without all the carbs.
- Use evaporated milk or almond milk (if you have a dairy intolerance) instead of cream or half-and-half; it has less fat than either one and still tastes great in this recipe!
- If you don’t have chicken broth, water will do—but the macaroni won’t be as flavorful.
Important:Dairy products should not be cooked in an Instant Pot
If a recipe calls for dairy ingredients, add them once you have cooked your food and depressurized the pot. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy/milk to scorch or turn clumpy—no one likes that!
So make sure to add your milk, cheese and cream last, after the noodles have cooked.
Topping Ideas for your instant pot macaroni and cheese
You can make macaroni and cheese more substantial by adding protein, such as:
- bacon
- hot dogs (cut up into 1/4th to avoid any choking that can happen with little kids!).
Serving Suggestions
Serve this macaroni and cheese with a salad or roasted vegetables. It's also great with crusty bread or crackers, if you'd like to make it into a meal.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven.
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Nutrition Information
Should you buy an Instant Pot? Which one is right for you?
I own the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker, V3, is essentially 9 appliances in 1: pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker—you get the idea.
Quick, one-touch cooking is possible with 15 customizable Smart Programs: pressure cook, soup/broth, cake/eggs; slow cook (and more!)
It is useful for meal prep and batch cooking. Which are both are great ways to save time, money and make your life easier during the busy weeks!
It is 70% faster and more energy efficient than traditional cooking methods. It also features a dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot for quick and easy clean-up
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Are you craving something sweet?
Try this fast dessert recipe – no baking needed!
There are so many different versions and sizes of the Instant Pot now—it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.
- If you are cooking for 1–2 people, I would suggest the 3-quart Instant Pot. If you're planning on making large portions or want to be able to cook larger recipes, go with 6 quarts or 8 quarts instead.
- I have a family of 4 and the 6 quart is more than adequate for our needs. This is the Instant Pot I have and you can find it HERE.
- If you want to make large meals or cheesecakes—or even freeze your leftovers!—the 8-quart is the way to go.
shop all the recipe items quickly
This Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe is delicious, creamy, and quick to make. It's perfect for weeknights or special occasions! You can even try making it in the slow cooker!
The Easiest Way To Make The Most Delicious Macaroni And Cheese In The World
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni in a box or bag
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese Optional
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese Optional
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika or parsley Optional
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Instructions
- Add macaroni to the Instant Pot and pour in enough chicken broth to cover all of the pasta.
- Place pieces of butter on top of pasta, then add salt.
- Place the lid on top of your Instant Pot, and make sure it locks into place.
- Place the vent in the SEALING position on your pressure cooker.
- Press the MANUAL button or PRESSURE COOKER button and set the timer for 4 minutes.
- When the pressure cooker has finished cooking, wait 5 minutes before releasing the rest of the steam by opening the valve. Note: It is normal for some foam to be expelled from the vent due to the presence of pasta startch.
- Remove the lid and stir in the whipping cream, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese—and seasonings. Once all of the cheeses are melted together — serve hot!
Notes
Nutrition
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