Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – This macaroni and cheese is every family’s favorite comfort food pasta recipe made easy in the Instant Pot! You can have creamy, mouthwatering, homemade mac and cheese for dinner in about 10 minutes!
Have I mentioned lately that I’m kind of in love with my Instant Pot? Although, I do love our classic Baked Mac and Cheese too! If you have been following me on Instagram you’ll know that I’ve documented my daily trials and errors using the thing. I was so skeptical of even getting one in the first place, and now, it’s pretty much all I want to use for cooking at all! It takes a lot of the in-between steps out of making simple recipes. Like this mac and cheese, the pasta cooks in just enough liquid, with no need to drain! If you’re looking for more amazing Instant Pot dinners definitely try out this Instant Pot Jambalaya it’s out of this world!!
My family absolutely LOVED this macaroni and cheese. Well, I did too. The flavor was absolutely perfect and it was super creamy, just like a good mac should be.
I made this recipe in my 8 quart Instant Pot, and it will definitely work just fine if you have a 6 quart as well. It makes a whole lot by the way. Yay for leftovers!
There was enough for my family of four to eat this as a main dish with a side salad for supper. Then, my kids took some for lunch in their thermos to school the next day. Even after that we had enough left to use up as a side dish later in the week!
How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese:
- For the best flavor, I recommend using chicken broth as your cooking liquid. I used low sodium chicken broth. If you don’t have low sodium, leave out the extra addition of salt, then salt as needed when serving.
- Use seasoning! I add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and hot sauce to this before cooking. Don’t worry, the hot sauce does not make this spicy at all. It just adds an additional layer of flavor that’s amazing.
- Use a combination of cheeses for the best taste. I use a mixture of sharp cheddar, mozzarella. When you add the cheese, make sure to stir continuously so that it all melts in really well and you aren’t left with clumps.
- Don’t use canned milk. I used regular 2% milk, and I recommend that or whole milk for best results. Most of the recipes I saw for Instant Pot mac and cheese used evaporated milk which I am not a fan of at all.
Enjoy!
~Nichole
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Uncooked Elbow Macaroni
- 4 Cups Chicken Broth
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Teaspoon Hot Pepper Sauce
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 -1 Cup Milk
Instructions
- Add the uncooked macaroni, chicken broth, butter, hot sauce, garlic powder, pepper, and salt to the Instant Pot.
- Place the lid on the pot and set to sealing. Cook on manual function, high pressure for 5 minutes. Then, do a quick release.
- Add the milk, then the cheese to the pot in 3-4 handfuls, stirring in between each addition until smooth and creamy. Season as necessary to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looking for other great Instant Pot recipes? Try these:
Hands down best mac and cheese recipe. So easy kids can make it.
My sister even makes it in her crockpot and her instant pot.
Can you also use large shells instead of elbow?
I am planning to try this for my daughter’s swim team pasta dinner this Friday. Is it possible to double it?
Thanks!
Yes! As long as you don’t over crowd your instant pot (max liquid volume).
I’ve never had issues. I’m actually leaving this review several years after I started making the recipe.
Awesome. My new go to recipe.
This has been my go-to recipe for Mac N Cheese for several years now! Sometimes I play around with the types of cheese. Always a hit with guests and kids!
This is my go-to recipe for macaroni and cheese. I use and add everything she says to and it always turns out perfectly. Her note about not adding all the cheese at once is a good one. Make this you’ll love it as much as my family does.
Real good! Easy too!
I probably already did a review lol but here goes again! GIRL- YOU are AMAZING! Thank you !!! This never fails! I made this for a birthday party for my grandson and there was not ONE noodle left!!! Thank you Thank you for all you do with your recipes and hard work!!! <3
I have made this so many times but don’t think I’ve done a review. This is the best and the easiest mac n cheese recipe! If you follow the recipe exactly it is always perfect. If I have the base ingredients but not all the recommended cheese types, I can substitute with what I have on hand and it’s still delicious. Thanks for a great recipe that’s also quick a d easy!
Awesome and easy recipe. This is my go to when uncertain of what to make my son. Thank you!!
This is hands down the best man n cheese recipe, instant pot or otherwise!! It’s perfect as is but can easily be adjusted based on what one has on hand or personal tastes. I have used this for multiple occasions and always end up sharing the recipe! Your blog is my go to for recipes!!
The fifteen year old boy says Mom this is it. And ate 75% of a 9×12 pan. Our only mods were adding a bit of cayenne instead of hot sauce, used closer to 5 cups of cheese (combo of 4c white cheddar and 1 cup of mozzarella).
Put final mixture in greased 9×12, to with mixture of plain breadcrumbs, melted butter and a few shakes of Parmesan on top and put in oven at 400F for app 12 minutes or until browned on top.
If you have, (or are able to acquire) an air fryer lid for your instant pot, you don’t have to get another pan dirty! It works great!
This was excellent. We used evaporated milk and white pepper instead of black, and just a squirt of Sriracha. It was so creamy and so much easier than my normal recipe!