Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is an easy one-pot meal that comes together in under 20 minutes, creating the perfect comfort pasta recipe. It’s a family favorite recipe, loved by both children and adults. Quick and delicious weeknight dinner that you can have on a table in no time.
My latest favorite instant pot recipe is this delicious and creamy instant pot Mac and cheese. There is just something so comforting about homemade macaroni and cheese. Especially when it’s packed with three kinds of melted cheese: a divine blend of cheddar, Mozzarella and Parmesan. Every time I make my Mac and cheese in the instant pot, which is often, everyone in my family has multiple servings and happily eats any leftovers the next day. And whenever the kids love a recipe, I consider it a winner. The ultimate comfort food!
Why make instant pot Mac and cheese?
I love making homemade macaroni and cheese in the pressure cooker, especially when I need fast and easy dinner! Why?
- First of all, you get a rich creamy sauce covering tender noodles and it’s finished with plenty of cheese. Creamy, nutritions and delicious at the same time!
- You get to do it all in one pot!!! Instant Pot! If you ask me, you simply can’t go wrong with instant pot Mac and cheese recipe version! It’s a no brainer. And if you love the convenience of one pot macaroni and cheese, and this may just become your new family favorite recipe.
Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe in your Pressure Cooker
Life can get so busy that dedicating time to cooking wholesome meals can be difficult. Can we all just admit that many days cooking is hard? This is where your instant pot comes to the rescue!
- To begin with, using the instant pot saves time, effort, and it’s very convenient. You basically dump everything in one pot and turn it on for 6 minutes. If you ask me this is one of the best, easy ways to use the Instant Pot.
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese delivers truly rich, creamy, and cheesy flavor that we all love about this classic recipe.
- Convenience! Only one pot to wash at the end!
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Tips and Tricks
- First, you will pressure cook elbow macaroni in chicken stock in the Instant Pot until perfectly tender for 6 minutes. Because the pasta cooks in just enough liquid, there is no need to drain any liquids after it’s done.
- After quick releasing the pressure, add in the cheeses and milk, and simply stir. If you don’t have milk, you can use evaporated milk or half-and-half instead.
- Because you will add milk and cheese right inside the pot, they will blend right in and thicken Mac and cheese to the right consistency. Very fast!
- As a result, you will be able enjoy a rich creamy saucy macaroni and cheese that is easy and flavorful in no time!
- I made this recipe in my 8 quart Instant Pot, and it will definitely work if you have a 6 quart as well.
What to serve Mac and Cheese with
Depending on who will be eating this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, I have to be creative in choosing the perfect dish to serve it with. I often serve it with sliced Parmesan Crusted Chicken, especially if I’m feeding children. By the way, this is a perfect dish to serve for your children, because it’s so creamy, filling, and rich. The kids also like to eat it with freshly baked Buttermilk bread.
Occasionally, I serve Mac and Cheese with fish and pork. But we also enjoyed it with a fresh side salad or a healthy vegetable dish. If I know that I have a busy day in front of me, when I don’t have much time for cooking, having dinner on the table so quickly makes my life so much easier!
Favorite Mac and Cheese Recipe
Everyone has their favorite mac and cheese recipe, and this is mine. I hope your family will love this easy macaroni and cheese recipe and find the flavor to be absolutely perfect and the sauce – creamy, just like a good mac should be. I’ve made it for potlucks, family gathering, and parties, because it’s so easy to make it quickly in my Instant Pot!
My favorite instant pot recipes
Chicken Thighs in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Elbow Macaroni Noodles, (uncooked)
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese, (shredded)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, (shredded)
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, (shredded)
- 1 cup Milk
Instructions
- Add dry macaroni noodles, broth, butter, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the instant pot.
- Set Pressure Cook to High Pressure, and timer for 6 minutes.
- Do a quick release once completed.
- Stir in the Cheddar, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add the milk slowly until blended.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only. This information comes from online calculators. Although whatsinthepan.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Your pictures show a different pasta. What are you using instead of the elbows?
It was durum semolina pasta imported from Italy. I got it in local Home Goods because it resembled elbows, but was made with different type of wheat.
so delish!