Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe – Instant Pot Mac And Cheese is a ONE POT, creamy, cheesy macaroni dinner made in less than 20 minutes!

With just a handful of ingredients, this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese lends a perfectly cooked pasta and a creamy cheese sauce made with real ingredients. No boxes, no powders!

We love our cheesy macaroni dinners – from Baked Macaroni and Feta Cheese to One Pot Spinach and Artichokes Macaroni and Cheese – because they are easy, delicious, KID-FRIENDLY (that’s suuuuper important! ? ) and quick!

Speaking of quick. INSTANT POT mac and cheese is as quick as it gets, my dear friends.

Why the IP, you ask? I mean, it takes just a bit longer to make macaroni and cheese on the stovetop, right?

Well, to that I say, it’s because of the uninterrupted cooking. You won’t be standing around the pot, fighting the urge to stir every 23 seconds. You KNOW what I’m talkin’ about. And, it is about 10 minutes quicker.

HOW TO MAKE MAC AND CHEESE IN THE INSTANT POT

We start off by cooking the macaroni in our instant pot for 4 minutes on HIGH.
In the meantime, prepare the rest of the ingredients which include, evaporated milk, seasonings, butter, and shredded colby cheese, as well as shredded cheddar cheese.
Once macaroni is done cooking, do a quick release and set the Instant Pot to saute.
Add evaporated milk, butter, seasonings, and a bit of water if needed.
Stir in the cheeses, a little at a time, stirring until cheese is completely melted.
Garnish and serve.

RECIPE NOTES

Instant Pot Models may vary: please refer to your manufacturer’s guide for exact instructions on locking the lid and about quick release.
If you do not have evaporated milk, you can also use 1 cup whole milk, OR 1 cup half & half, OR 1 cup heavy cream.

In the time you are saving between not stirring AND cooking all of this in just 8-ish minutes, you can focus on making a big dinner salad ORRRR catch up on your Facebook News Feed. I prefer the latter. ?

MORE MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES

Caprese Macaroni and Cheese

One Pot Spinach & Feta Macaroni and Cheese

Broccoli Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese Cups

White Cheddar Shells and Cheese with Shrimp and Peas

ENJOY!

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TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe

Instant Pot Mac And Cheese is a ONE POT, creamy, cheesy macaroni dinner made in less than 20 minutes!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: instant pot mac and cheese, instant pot recipes, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 520 kcal

Ingredients

4 cups water (you can also use vegetable broth)
1 pound elbow macaroni
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 can (12-ounces) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 cups shredded low fat mild Cheddar
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced fat colby cheese
dried parsley for garnish (optional)
sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Combine water, macaroni, salt and pepper in the instant pot; stir and lock the lid.
Set the steam release knob to the sealing position and set to pressure cook on HIGH for 4 minutes.
After the pressure cook cycle ends, do a quick release. Careful of any remaining steam.
Remove the lid and set the Instant Pot to saute.
Stir in the evaporated milk and butter. If it looks like it needs more liquid, add a few tablespoons water.
Stir in minced garlic, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and chili powder.
Add cheeses, a little bit at a time, stirring until all the cheese is completely melted and combined.
Garnish with parsley and green onions.
Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Instant Pot Models may vary: please refer to your manufacturer’s guide for exact instructions on locking the lid and about quick release.
If you do not have evaporated milk, you can also use 1 cup whole milk, OR 1 cup half & half, OR 1 cup heavy cream.

WW FREESTYLE POINTS: 15

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 520 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 16g 25%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 47mg 16%

Sodium 447mg 19%

Potassium 400mg 11%

Total Carbohydrates 63g 21%