Super creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese brings sharp cheese, white cheddar, and Parmesan together with elbow macaroni into the creamiest and quickest family-friendly side dish ever. This dish is on the table is less than twenty minutes and is easy enough for your tweens to make.
Skip the boxed mac and cheese and treat yourself to the real deal. Believe me when I tell you that your family will be singing your accolades.
How to make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Start by combing the elbow macaroni, chicken broth, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper in the instant pot. Lock the lid into place and pressure cook on high-pressure manual for 4 minutes. Quick, release the steam.
Remove the lid and stir in the butter until melted. Gently stir in the heavy cream and shredded sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and Parmesan cheese a handful at a time so the cheese melts. Continue to gently stir until all the cheese is melted, for best results, serve promptly.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- In a pinch, you could substitute water for your cooking liquid, but the chicken broth really contributes to the overall flavor.
- Things move fast with this, so stay focused. Grate the cheese while the elbows are cooking and have it ready to go.
- Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Or add a little seasoned salt, Cajun seasoning, or a dash of hot sauce.
- Add some veggies like steamed broccoli or cauliflower.
- Top with crisp bacon or pickled jalapenos.
- This mac and cheese is best served fairly promptly while the cheese sauce is creamy and melted. You can keep it in the instant pot on warm but remember sooner rather than later.
- Feel free to change the cheese up. Any cheese that melts well and it is not too stretchy, like mozzarella. Mozzarella cheese is good in some baked mac and cheese but not so much in an instant pot. Please see below for more cheese options.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Cheese Variations
- Pepper Jack Cheese – is a white semi-hard cheese with habanero chilies, garlic, and jalapenos. It adds a little kick to your mac and cheese.
- Gruyere – is a firm yellow Swiss cheese. It is that amazing melted and browned cheese on French Onion Soup.
- Fontina – is a semi-soft rich, and creamy cheese with a buttery and nutty flavor.
- Smoked Gouda – is a semi-hard yellow cheese with a gentle smoked flavor and a creamy, buttery texture.
- Monterey Jack – is a white semi-hard cheese with a mild flavor and excellent melting properties.
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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. uncooked elbow macaroni noodles
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the elbow macaroni, chicken broth, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper in the instant pot. Lock the lid into place and pressure cook on high pressure manual for 4 minutes. Quick release the steam.
- Stir in the butter until melted. Gently stir in the heavy cream and shredded sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and Parmesan cheese about 1/2 cup at a time so the cheese melts.
- Continue to gently stir until all the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For best results serve promptly.
Notes
- In a pinch you could substitute water but the chicken broth really contributes to the overall flavor.
- Things move fast with this so stay focused. Grate the cheese while the elbows are cooking and have it ready to go.
- Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Or add a little seasoned salt, Cajun seasoning, or hot sauce.
- This mac and cheese is best served fairly promptly. You can keep it in the instant pot on warm but remember sooner rather than later.
- Feel free to change the cheese up. Any cheese that melts well and it is not too stretchy like mozzarella. Mozzarella is good in some baked mac and cheese but not so much in an instant pot. Please see below for more cheese options.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
MELANIE E
Mac and cheese is one of my favourite recipes. This was such a yummy comforting dish. Thanks for sharing!
Marie Cris Angeles
Yummy! I love Mac and Cheese. I can’t believe that I can make MAC AND CHEESE in just 10 mins. Thanks for this!
Yeah Lifestyle
This was such an easy recipe to follow. My kids love mac and cheese and this turned out really well and I will definitely be making it again!
Samantha Donnelly
One of my favourite comfort foods that we all love, thanks for the great recipe. It was easy to make!
Lisa
This looks and sounds delicious! Thanks for the detailed recipe and I will have to try out the cheese variations!
Ella English
This sounds like an awesome dish. What an easy, breezy, cheesy way to make mac n cheese
Lisa
You can’t go wrong with macaroni and cheese. The instant pot works perfect for me too.
Tina Basu
This was such a yummy recipe, my son loved it. It is on rotation at our house now.
Rosey
Fun to make it in the insta pot. Mac and Cheese is always a hit at any age. Great recipe that I will make again and again.
Debbie
I’m so excited to try this recipe. I love the Mac and cheese but never tried it in the Instant Pot. This is so perfect for a quick and easy dinner!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Debbie! So glad that you liked the mac and cheese!
Jack
What a delicious, quick, and easy recipe. This is our new favorite mac and cheese recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Mandy Carter
Mac and cheese is a regular in our home. This recipe is perfect!
Julie
The recipe looks so easy and delicious, and I can’t wait to try it. I love that you used three different types of cheese to get the perfect flavor and texture. I’m also impressed that you were able to make this dish in less than 20 minutes. That’s definitely a winner in my book!
Stephanie
Even as an ‘adult’ I am still a mac & cheese freak. Looks like one more yummy sounding recipe to try out in my instant pot!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! Enjoy!
Jennifer L Prince
I don’t have an instant pot. BUT I love mac and cheese, so this sounds like the ideal excuse to get one!!
Marysa
What a convenient dish! Sounds like something my kids would love, and even better that you can make it in the Instant Pot.