Make sure the Instant Pot stainless steel insert is inside your cooker.
Press "saute" setting and wait 2 minutes. Add olive oil and heat up.
Add onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add carrots and dried thyme and stir well. Saute for 1 minute.
Press "cancel/off" button. Add potatoes and stir well.
Add water and vegetable stock. Stir well.
Add salt and pepper.
Close the lid, set valve to sealing position (the newer IP models do it on their own). Press "manual" or "pressure cook" button and set the timer to 7 minutes. The IP will beep shortly and it will start to come to pressure. This can take 8 to 10 minutes.
Once the timer is done, press the "cancel/off" button. Wait for 2 minutes, then flip the valve to venting position to release the pressure.
Carefully open the lid away from your face. Whisk evaporated milk with cornstarch in a glass measuring cup and add to the soup. Stir in. Let the soup sit for 5 minutes, it will thicken.
Add cheddar cheese and stir in to melt.
Serve soup with more cheddar, crispy bacon and chopped fresh parsley or green onions.
Notes
You can use 1.5 cups of half and half in place of the evaporated milk.
Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.