Instant Pot Mac and Cheese - the easiest way to make creamy and cheesy macaroni your whole family will love! It's so easy to make with 5 ingredients right in your pressure cooker.
I cook pasta in my Instant Pot every week. Our favorites include the Spaghetti (fail-proof) and Pasta Carbonara.
Forget the box mac and make this mac and cheese with real ingredients, real cheese in just 12 minutes. This is the fastest and fail-proof way to make this classic dish that the whole family will love. The Instant Pot pressure cooker wins again! This macaroni and cheese could not be easier to make. Even my 11-year-old can make it!
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or simply when you are craving comfort food. You can jazz up this mac by adding steamed vegetables or cooked meat.
Instructions
- Place water, macaroni, nutmeg and butter in your Instant Pot insert.
- Close lid, set valve to sealing and set timer to 5 minutes. The IP will take about 7 minutes to come to pressure.
- Once done, stir the macaroni. Add evaporated milk and cheese, ½ cup at a time until it's your desired texture.
- Serve right away or place in a baking dish, top with breadcrumb topping if desired and place under broiler to toast it up.
Ingredients
- elbow macaroni
- water and chicken or vegetable stock
- nutmeg, salt and pepper
- butter
- evaporated milk (or half and half)
- cheese (mozzarella and cheddar)
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double the ingredients to make more mac and cheese. The cooking time stays the same.
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Reheating Instructions
If you store cooked mac and cheese, the pasta will soak up the sauce. You can reheat this mac and cheese right in your Instant Pot, on the saute setting, or on stove-top but you may need a little bit of milk to get the desired consistency.
Variations
- add broccoli, peas and carrots, corn, etc
- add cooked chicken, turkey or ham
- serve with pulled pork on your next barbecue
More Instant Pot pasta recipes:
For more recipes using the digital pressure cooker, feel free to browse our Instant Pot Category.
Also, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chicken stock low-sodium
- 1 cup water
- 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
- 1.75 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1.25 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place macaroni, butter, nutmeg, salt, stock and water in Instant Pot insert. Close the lid and set the valve to "sealing" position.
- Press the "manual" or "pressure cook" button and set timer to 5 minutes. Make sure your Instant Pot is set to high pressure. The pressure cooker will take about 7 minutes to come to pressure and start cooking.
- When the IP beeps, press "cancel/off" button and wait one minute. Then switch the valve to quickly release the pressure. Open lid carefully, away from your face.
- Stir macaroni.
- Add milk to macaroni and stir well.
- Add cheese, half of a cup at a time, until you reach desired consistency. See notes.
- You can serve mac immediately or bake in a dish with breadcrumb topping, if desired.
Carolyn says
this looks like a great recipe. Could I use whole milk instead of Carnation? If so, same amount?
Thanks
Anna says
Hi Carolyn! You can use whole milk but the texture won't be as creamy. You can add 2 teaspoons of cornstarch to milk and stir in with the macaroni. That should help. You can also use half and half in place of evaporated milk. I hope this helps!
Diane Cohen says
This was very good-even my daughter that doesn't normally care for mac and cheese enjoyed it!
Erin says
This looks incredibly delicious! Get in my belly! This looks so good.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Erin!
Jocelyn says
So easy and so creamy!! Our kids devoured this amazing pasta!!!
Taylor says
I've never made mac and cheese in the instant pot...looks so easy! Need to give it a try!
Nichole says
I have four grandsons and the only thing i did different is used bacon cheddar cheese. So Good!
Jade says
This looks delicious!
Jennifer says
Made this last night with cheddar and Monterey Jack. It was Fabulous!
Betsy says
This macaroni and cheese recipe is so easy and delicious! We had it for dinner and then for leftovers. We ate every bite.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I am so glad it was a success! Thank you, Betsy!
Melanie Bauer says
Sounds fabulous! So creamy and tasty, adding to my list of must makes!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Melanie!
Catalina says
This is always a hit in our house! Looks amazingly delicious!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Catalina!
Chrissie Baker says
We have made this twice now. Super easy and super yummy! Thanks for a great lunch!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Awesome! Thank you, Chrissie!
Jennifer says
I love making Mac & Cheese in my Instant Pot!! So delicious!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I agree! The best!
Steph says
Looks so good! Can't wait to try it out in my new Instant Pot.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I hope you love it!
Kristyn says
Thank you for sharing this! I need to do more in my instant pot. My kids love macaroni!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I hope they will love it!
Neil says
This was so easy and tasted so good! Thank you!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks so much, Neil!