Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound pasta ((note all boxes are not 1 pound, also you need to use regular pasta, gluten-free, and other pasta will not work)); 1 teaspoon hot sauce; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon dry mustard powder; 4 cups water; 1 cup milk or half and half; 1 pound Cheddar cheese; 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese

November 28, 2020 by Stephanie Manley 158 Comments

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You can make Macaroni and Cheese in a pressure cooker. I will show you how you can make flavorful macaroni and cheese in your Instant Pot.

You can use elbow macaroni or other short pasta such as shells or penne.

overhead view of Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese in a bowl

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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.

I think you need a little bit of heat to make macaroni and cheese work well and give the dish some depth. So, the hot sauce is an important ingredient for this macaroni recipe. You can use whatever hot sauce you like – Tabasco or Frank’s Red Hot Sauce both work well.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

Pasta – elbows, shells, or similar short pasta.
Hot sauce – Frank’s Red Hot Sauce is highly recommended
Butter
Dry mustard powder
Water
Whole milk or half and half
Cheddar cheese
Monterey Jack cheese

Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese ingredients

Ingredient Notes

For the cheeses, I am using two different types of cheese; a good Cheddar cheese, and some Monterey Jack cheese. I like this combination.

Cheddar provides a lovely color and flavor. The Monterey Jack cheese gives this dish a nice, creamy melt that you are certain to enjoy.

For the hot sauce, you can use whatever you like. Tabasco and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce both work well.

I think hot sauce is an important ingredient for this recipe. You need a little bit of heat to give macaroni and cheese a special flavor. The heat gives the dish some depth.

How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Place pasta, water, dry mustard, and hot sauce in the Instant Pot.
Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
Perform a quick release on the pasta.
If the pasta needs to be drained, drain the pasta and place the pasta back into the pot.
Add butter, cheese, hot sauce, and milk to the pasta.
Stir and allow the cheese to melt.
Serve promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese

What type of pasta should I use?

Please make this dish with only plain semolina-style pasta. Do not use gluten-free, high-protein, whole-wheat, bean-based, low carb, or other types of pasta. They won’t work well.

Can I make boxed macaroni and cheese in the instant pot?

Yes. You should add about 1 1/2 cups of water, and the milk listed on the box of macaroni and cheese. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes, perform a natural release, and then stir in the butter and the cheese package.

When I perform a quick release a milky liquid sputters out of the vent, what should I do?

Wait about 4 to 5 minutes, and then perform the release again. When you release it again, be sure to grab a towel and place a towel over the valve just it case it begins to sputter again.

Is it ok to use packaged shredded cheese?

No, it’s best not to use store-bought shredded cheese for melting. It contains filler to keep it fresh and anti-clumping agents. Food processors, a good blender, or mini-blender can shred cubes or blocks of Cheddar. Even a mandolin can slice Cheddar thin enough to use in this recipe.

Can I make boxed macaroni and cheese in the Instant Pot?

Yes. Add about 11/2 cups of water and the amount of milk listed on the box. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes, perform a natural release, and then stir in the butter and cheese package.

How long does the Instant Pot take to come to pressure and start the 4 minutes of cooking?

Factor in about 10 minutes for pressurization

Can I double the ingredients and make it all at once, or should I make two batches?

As long as the pasta doesn’t go over the full line, you should be ok. The cooking time doesn’t change

Can I add ham chunks?

Yes, add them when you add in the cheese.

Instant pot macaroni and cheese in a bowl and a fork next to it

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