Why Youll Love This Instant Pot Recipe
You can ditch that blue box of mac and cheese since this pressure cooker version takes less than 30 minutes. Its perfect for busy weeknights and super simple to customize with your favorite seasonings and cheese.
Since this is a no-boil, one-pot macaroni and cheese recipe, you arent left with an extra dirty dish from cooking the pasta. Plus, it leaves your stovetop free for munchies to serve on the side! You can cook up a mouthwatering dinner just by pressing a couple buttons. Who wouldnt love that?
Pesto Macaroni And Cheese
This version of dressed up mac and cheese is my daughters favorite. To make, simply stir in homemade pesto or store-bought. I typically use one tablespoon pesto per bowl. Add a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese or toasted pine nuts or walnuts for a little crunch. To make this even more of a Mediterranean-inspired meal, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red bell pepper to round out the savory flavors.
Instant Pot Kraft Macaroni And Cheese
Published: by Ali ·This post may contain affiliate links. See our full disclosure here
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is so easy to make in the Instant Pot! Macaroni and Cheese comes out perfect and creamy and is ready to eat in under 10 minutes.
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese brings me right back to my childhood. Growing up, it was one of my favorite dinners to have and now it’s quickly become my toddler’s favorite as well.
I love to make macaroni and cheese in the Instant Pot because it’s ready in under 10 minutes and can all be done in one pot – no draining required! It’s the perfect side dish I can make that I can set and forget while I make the rest of our dinner.
- 2T Butter
- ¼ Cup Milk
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray
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What Is The Secret To Creamy Macaroni And Cheese
The secretif you can call it thatis simple. Make your Instant Pot mac and cheese with heavy cream! We know, we know. Heavy cream!? What is this, Thanksgiving? But heres the thing. If youre making macaroni and cheese, its pure, unadulterated, 100% soul-soothing comfort food youre after. And creamy, cheesy mac and cheese is best when you make it with good old fashioned heavy cream. Theres just no substitute! Splurge! You wont regret it.
Best Instant Pot Mac And Cheese
I love my Instant Pot! If you are unfamiliar with this cooking appliance, it is an incredible pressure cooker and more. It serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, and much more.
Let me show you how to make the most delicious macaroni and cheese using your Instant Pot. This macaroni recipe is easy, mouth-watering, and full of flavor. Unlike baked macaroni and cheese, Instant Pot mac and cheese will give you a super creamy cheese sauce. It will be some of the creamiest mac and cheese you will ever enjoy.
I have displaced many of my small kitchen appliances in favor of this amazing appliance. It helped me move out a couple of steamers, a rice cooker, and a slow cooker.
You might wonder why you would wish to prepare macaroni and cheese in a pressure cooker. Well, there is a good reason. When you cook one-pot mac and cheese, the pasta gets infused with a lot of flavors. In this macaroni recipe, the flavors of the hot sauce and dry mustard powder are imparted to the pasta.
For the cheese, I am using two different types a good Cheddar cheese and some Monterey Jack cheese. I like this combination. The Cheddar provides a lovely color and flavor, and the Monterey Jack gives this dish a nice melt that you are certain to enjoy.
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How To Cook Macaroni And Cheese In The Instant Pot
Place the macaroni, water, butter, salt, ground mustard, and smoked paprika into your Instant pot. Stir well to distribute the seasonings.
Cover the Instant pot and set the valve to sealing.
Program the Instant Pot using the manual or pressure cook function for 4 minutes.
When the cooking cycle is completed, perform a quick release of the pressure. Carefully removing the lid once the steam has completely released.
Dont Put Dairy Ingredients In An Instant Pot
When cooking dairy ingredients in the Instant Pot, it is a lot different than cooking them on the stove top, oven, microwave or in a slow cooker.
If a recipe calls for dairy ingredients, make sure to add them once you have cooked your food and depressurized your Instant Pot. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy and milk ingredients to scorch or to turn clumpy. No one likes clumpy food.
So for this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese make sure you add your milk AFTER your noodles have already cooked!
If you are new to the Instant Pot, read our list of 9 Instant Pot Donts HERE!
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Failproof Instant Pot Rice
I probably use my Instant Pot for rice more than anything else.
I cant tell you how many pots Ive ruined over the years because I had the heat too high or not enough water.
But with this technique, its almost impossible to go wrong.
Youll need a simple ratio of 1:1 , and that works for almost every type of rice, too. Its just the cooking times that will change.
For your typical cup of white rice, set the pot for three minutes, and then be sure to let the pressure release naturally.
Cabbage has a surprising number of benefits, such as being loaded with high in vitamins C and K.
Its also great for reducing inflammation, its low in calories, and its very fiber-rich.
Add to that its mild flavor and relatively cheap price tag, and this is a terrific addition to any meal.
In this soup, for example, it will bulk it out, giving you probably twice as many portions.
Once your stock basics are soft, add cabbage, parsley, vegetable broth, beans, tomatoes, water, chili powder, thyme, salt & pepper, then cook for five minutes.
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Amys Awesome Macaroni And Cheese
Melt butter over medium heat in a large heavy pan. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in half-n-half, mustards, 2 cups of cheddar , gruyere, and cream cheese, and seasonings. Cook on low-med heat until sauce is smooth and bubbly, stirring frequently. Season to taste.
TOTAL TIME: 1 hour & 5 minutes. Yield: 6 servings. Procedure. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 4-quart casserole or souffle dish and set aside. Place dry pasta and 1 tablespoon of the kosher salt in a 4-quart pot and barely cover with cold water. Bring just to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, then test for doneness.
Preheat oven to 375°. 1. Use 2 tablespoons of the butter to coat a large baking pan and set aside. 2. Boil noodles per package instructions, rinse and set aside when done. 3. Shred the cheddar and parmesan cheeses and cut the other cheeses into small squares. 4.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk well, cooking for one minute until completely combined and the roux begins to look a bit like wet sand. Slowly add the cream and 1 cup of the milk, whisking continuously, until smooth and completely combined.
Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and whip in cheeses until melted and smooth. Stir in drained macaroni. Pour into shallow 2-quart baking dish. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter, stir in bread crumbs and sprinkle over macaroni. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
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Instant Pot Mac And Cheese Recipe Tips
- Shred your own cheese. Store bought pre-shredded cheese is often coated with an anti-caking agent that prevents it from melting smoothly.
- When you quick release the pressure after the Instant Pot cook time ends, move the steam release valve very carefully and, if possible, move it just a little bit at a time. Its best to release the steam and pressure slowly to avoid a starchy spray from coming out of the valve. As long as you do a slow and careful quick release, you shouldnt end up with a mess.
- For easy clean up, give your Instant Pot lid a quick rinse right away after you take the lid off. Then later you can give it a full wash with soap, after youve finished eating. Rinsing the pasta starch off of the lid right away makes clean up much easier! You will also want to remove the steam release handle and rinse it out. It pulls right off and then you just press it back on. See my Instant Pot manual for a photo.
Instant Pot Mac And Cheese Ingredients
- Elbow Pasta: You can use white pasta or whole wheat pasta in this recipe. I recommend using elbow macaroni pasta, but other short pasta shapes, such as shells, will also work.
- Water: The pasta absorbs all of the water as it cooks. For extra flavor, you can substitute all or part of the water with chicken broth.
- Seasonings: A few simple seasonings flavor the pasta as it cooks. I use paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in this recipe. You can also add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard, if desired.
- Butter: A little butter adds richness. Some recipes call for adding the butter before cooking the pasta, but this can lead to a mess during the quick release process. Youll stir the butter into the hot cooked pasta and it will melt right in.
- Cheese: I have found that a combination of sharp cheddar cheese and sharp white cheddar cheese makes the best mac and cheese. The sharp white cheddar gives the best flavor to mac and cheese!
- Milk: This recipe is for Instant Pot mac and cheese without evaporated milk. I prefer to make mac and cheese with whole milk because it is less processed than canned milk. Plus, you cant beat the flavor of fresh milk and real cheese.
Find the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
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How To Make Macaroni And Cheese In The Instant Pot
Were still having a hard time believing this recipe is actually ready in about three minutes. But it IS! Because its the future, apparently. And a future in which homemade mac and cheese is ready in three minutes is our kind of future.
Copycat Kraft Macaroni Cheese Dinner Pressure Cooker Or
Close the lid and set the pressure release. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
Easy instant pot mac and cheese recipe mac cheese. Add pasta, water, onion powder, dry mustard, salt, pepper and butter to the instant pot.
How to make mac and cheese in the instant pot instant. Add the pasta, water, butter, and seasonings to your instant pot, and stir to combine.
How to make easy kraft boxed mac and cheese in the instant. Add the uncooked macaroni noodles, vegetable broth, and water to the instant pot.
Instant pot boxed kraft macaroni and cheese recipe. Add water, macaroni, butter, paprika salt and pepper to instant pot.
Instant pot easy mac and cheese macaroni and cheese. Follow instructions to quick release.
Instant pot mac and cheese recipe creamy delicious. Food prep time is however long to open a box and some cans.
Instant pot mac and cheese recipe in 2020 instant pot. For this recipe, i used 2 boxes of kraft mac and cheese so that wed have some leftovers.
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Making Instant Pot Mac And Cheese Ahead Of Time
Some recipes are great, and even better, when made ahead but mac and cheese just isnt one of them.
As the pasta sits, it absorbs more and more of the sauce, making the mac and cheese dry, and the noodles mushy.
In my opinion, this is a recipe that just tastes the best when made right before you eat it.
How To Make Instant Pot Boxed Mac N Cheese
What to know how to make Instant Pot boxed mac and cheese? This is crazy simple to do, and with just a 4 minute cook time, you can have your favorite macaroni and cheese to serve up your family. No straining required for this recipe.
The instant pot has really opened up my cooking options. I dont usually make a lot of boxed foods but I know some people need to so they can stretch the budget. I have used boxed mac n cheese many times when my kids were small. Now I will show you how to make Instant Pot Boxed Mac N Cheese.
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How Much Water Do You Need For Boxed Instant Pot Mac And Cheese
I found that one cup of water worked great for this recipe. You dont have to add a ton of water, drain pasta, then mix in the rest. With the one cup it is perfect to stir in the cheese packet and enjoy. Which is so handy, and will save you a step compared to the stovetop.
I am all about simplifying my life, and this recipe has done that.
How To Make Yummy Mac And Cheese
Step 1: Put noodles, water, and salt into the Instant Pot and push a few buttons.
Step 2: Stir in butter, cheese, and milk.
Step 3: Thats it. There is no step 3.
But seriously: my number one goal with Pinch of Yum is to connect with you and share recipes that youll actually make and actually love, and THIS! I am confident that this is one that you can and will actually make.
And absolutely one that you will love, assuming youre into cheese?
Also: my specific Instant Pot is the Instant Pot DUO60 but I have made this in several types and its great all around.
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How To Make Instant Pot Easy Mac
Simply combine the water and noodles straight into the Instant Pot. Cook on manual high pressure for 3 minutes with a 3-4 minute natural pressure release.
Open the lid, and give it a stir. Youll need to break up the noodles a tad and let them absorb the remaining water for a minute or two.
Add the called for amounts of milk and butter, and youre done! Super EASY MAC, am I right??
How To Make Macaroni And Cheese In An Instant Pot
This Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese recipe will work in any brand of electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.
This is a fantastic dump and go Instant Pot recipe!
First, if youre a bacon fan, crisp up a bit of crumbled bacon. Reserve the cooked bacon while you finish the mac and cheese and use it as a tasty and crunchy garnish.
Also: dont be afraid of the dry mustard and cayenne! This is NOT a spicy recipe, and its 100% kid-approved. These spices add a subtle, but delicious, flavor to the macaroni and cheese.
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Doubling Instant Pot Easy Mac
If you choose to double this recipe, multiple all ingredients, but keep the cook time the same!
I have had good results doing this, but some readers have reported some issues. I suggest adding the noodles, stirring them so they dont clump, and cook them right away. Another way to avoid issues is by preheating your Instant Pot so its warm before you start adding water.
How To Make Mac And Cheese In An Instant Pot
Step 1
Add 16 ounces of elbow macaroni, 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth and/or water, 1/4 cup of butter, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pressure cooker. Mix well.
Step 2
Place the cover on the pot and set the timer to 5 minutes on high pressure . It will take the Instant Pot approximately 12 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
Step 3
When cooking time is up, do an immediate quick release. Once youve released the pressure, remove the cover and stir. Add the Velveeta, cheddar, mozzarella and milk and stir until creamy.
The milk and cheeses work together to create the most creamy, cheesy version of mac and cheese youll find! Serve immediately!
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The Best Instant Pot Macaroni And Cheese
If you love good ol comfort food, you wont want to miss out on this Instant Pot Mac & Cheese!
I may have found the best way ever to eat Macaroni & Cheese. My entire life Ive cooked it a million different ways, but this recipe opened up my eyes to the most perfect and simple option there is. If you own an Instant Pot, then you need tono, you HAVE to make this Instant Pot Mac & Cheese.
The cheesy goodness is mouth-watering to even think aboutbut letting the Instant Pot do all the hard work is seriously the best thing ever. If I could hug my Instant Pot for creating this delicious Mac & Cheese dish, I would.
With the winter months here, having a nice warm bowl of Instant Pot Mac & Cheese can turn any bad day into a good one after one simple bite.
You can make a large batch and even share some with your family and friends if want! Or, you can keep some for leftovers because it tastes just as delicious the next day as well!
Give your tummy and taste buds and treat and serve up a bowl of this Instant Pot Mac & Cheese!
