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? 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
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- ½ -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
Looking for other great Instant Pot recipes? Try these:
Can I half this recipe?
Absolutely a winner! I’ve used smoked Gouda twice now and oh my god so good with the cheddar and mozza. I also used veg stock instead of chicken because I was out and still so yummy!!!
Will this recipe turn out okay I’d I half the recipe? There are only two of us and we would be eating the original recipe for a week! Thanks!
Love the recipe! Quick and very delicious! It will replace my baked Mac and cheese I have for gatherings😊
So perfect! I’ve made this twice and it came out great both times. I use regular cheddar, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan and it’s great. I season with the things listed as well as onion salt and parsley. I think next time i might stir in cooked bacon or broccoli. And just fyi - there was one time i messed up and added all the ingredients before pressure cooking. Don’t do this. Just don’t.
Best combination of good, quick & easy!
Super quick and easy week day staple at our home! I add a little more milk, use all extra sharp cheddar and pour it into a casserole dish. Bake 25-30 mins at 350 for baked goodness!
I am making it for the second time today. Super good and easy. First time I used the original recipe. Tryin cheddar and colby mix today.
Love this recipe....added Velveeta Queso and cheddar....and a little extra hot sauce.
So easy and we love to add things like bacon, spinach, chicken, whatever you want!
Absolutely DELICIOUS! A new family favorite.
The best homemade Mac and cheese I’ve made so far. I did use evaporated and it was awesome. I’m sure reg milk is good too.
DELICIOUS!!! My husband had 3 helpings and there is still tons leftover. We love it! Best Mac and Cheese!
Where should I start...
So perfectly perfect! Has all the right amounts of everything. This is the best Mac and Cheese I have ever had or made!!! Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
I make this all the time and love this! It is genius in it's simplicity so thank you!. I have simplified the recipe a little (due to laziness)-I just put pasta, water, butter and salt to the instant pot for the cooking part. And, its still delicious. I add cheese (whatever is on hand) and hot sauce and then splash in some milk for creaminess. If I make a smaller batch, I find the ratio of dried pasta to water to be one to one.
Absolutely wonderful!
This mac and cheese recipe is outstanding and a true family favorite! I make it twice a week and it is so fast and easy and pasta is cooked perfectly. I use the Member's Mark organic chicken broth from Sam's Club and because my kiddos are not so fond of different cheeses I usually just make it with sharp cheddar cheese. If you can purchase a block of cheese and grate it yourself it just makes for better melting and taste. This is sooo good and I have the recipe memorized. I thank you so much for helping this busy mama out with such a great comfort recipe to make in my instant pot! Excellent!
This. Is. Amazing! I probably ended up using 1.25 cups of milk, but then I wasn’t reall carefully adding the cheese! Thank you so much - this isn’t the first recipe I have loved from your kitchen. Can’t wait ti try more!