Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Get ready for the best Instant Pot Mac and Cheese!
Since I got my Instant Pot, I’ve discovered it’s really good for making comfort food – those warm, cozy dishes that used to take all day to cook. After using it for my favorite beef stew and for corned beef and cabbage, I decided it was time to put this thing to a real test. I wanted to use the Instant Pot to make the most classic comfort food of them all, mac and cheese.
Well, I don’t mind telling you, this wasn’t that easy. I had to do a little tinkering to get the amounts and the timing just right. But at last, I finally came up with a version that delivers truly perfect mac and cheese: rich, creamy, and incredibly comforting.
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The key turns out to be using a combination of different cheeses, plus milk and BUTTER. That way, all you have to do is cook the pasta with seasonings in the Instant Pot, let off the steam, and then stir in the rest of the ingredients. The heat of the pasta is enough to melt the cheeses and cream together into a perfect, creamy sauce in no time.
With this Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, you can go from dry pasta to rich, cozy mac and cheese in just 10 minutes. That’s less time than it takes to mix up instant mac and cheese from a box – and this stuff is soooooo much better.
Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Directions:
- Place the dry pasta, butter, garlic salt, salt, dry mustard and water into the IP cooker pot. Place the lid on the top and seal the toggle switch. Press manual (high) and timer for 4 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, do a quick release and remove the lid when the pin drops.
- Keeping the pressure cooking on low heat (the Instant Pot will automatically go into this warm mode after cooking) Add the evaporated milk, and half the cheeses. Melt the cheeses by stirring, and when the first batch of cheese is melted, add the second half.
- Test for seasoning and add more salt (and pepper) if you prefer. Remove mac and cheese from heat source and let rest for about 5 mins to let the sauce thicken.
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TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS CREAMY INSTANT POT MAC AND CHEESE
Instant Pot: This 6qt Instant Pot pressure cooker is always my go to!
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Each cup’s “ml” and cup sizes have
Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
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Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 cups water
- 5 oz can evaporated milk
- 3 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place the dry pasta, butter, garlic salt, salt, dry mustard and water into the IP cooker pot. Place the lid on the top and seal the toggle switch. Press manual (high) and timer for 4 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, do a quick release and remove the lid when the pin drops.
- Keeping the pressure cooking on low heat (the Instant Pot will automatically go into this warm mode after cooking) Add the evaporated milk, and half the cheeses. Melt the cheeses by stirring, and when the first batch of cheese is melted, add the second half.
- Test for seasoning and add more salt (and pepper) if you prefer. Remove mac and cheese from heat source and let rest for about 5 mins to let the sauce thicken.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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LOOKING FOR MORE INSTANT POT FAMILY MEALS?
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- Instant Pot Taco Pasta – perfect for Taco Tuesday
- Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage – not just for St. Patricks Day
- Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken – fan and family favorite!
- Instant Pot Goulash – a classic
Post updated December 12, 2019
Hey just wondering if you can substitute the water for chicken broth? I have seen other recipes that call for it wasn’t sure if it changed anything !
I don’t think it should change anything. I have only tested the recipe as written, so I can’t say for sure how it will turn out. If you try it out, please come back and let us know how it turns out 🙂
I am going to try this recipe for Easter dinner, but I’m concerned because I have to make a big pan and travel with it. If need be will it warm up well?
Yes, this does reheat/warm up well. Hope you loved it!
This was great I did substitute the evaporated milk for heavy cream (I forgot the evaporated milk) luckily I had some heavy cream on hand. This was so creamy and delicious.
If you want an extra level of flavor use garlic butter
This is perfect! So easy; very creamy. Kid friendly! I used heavy cream instead of the evaporated milk, as that’s what I had on hand. Loved it. Thank you!
So happy you love it!
I have made this recipe several times and absolutely love it. The only thing I do differently is I will melt some butter, add planko bread crumbs and sprinkle on the top of the mas and cheese when it is done and put it under the broiler for about 5 minutes for crunck. This last step tales ot pver the top delicious.