Homemade Mac and cheese has never been creamier or easier! Instant Pot Mac and Cheese will be your new favorite way to get your cheesy on.
In the little over a year that I have had my Instant Pot, I have tried many different recipes. When I first started using it, I just used it to make brown rice. It takes a lot less time to make brown rice in the Instant Pot than on the stove. I also love to make hard boiled eggs , Risotto is crazy easy and Instant Pot Potatoes are a favorite side dish.
Recently, I’ve seen a lot of posts from people making macaroni and cheese in the pressure cooker so I decided to give it a go. And friends, I am not looking back.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is SO creamy and so incredibly easy to make.
WHAT YOU NEED:
To make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese you need less than 10 ingredients (not counting water and salt and pepper) and about 15 minutes.
Elbow Macaroni: It’s traditional in mac and cheese but you can also use shells!
Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk has had half of the water removed. It is creamier than regular milk making it fab for use in mac and cheese.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese has more of a cheddar flavor that medium cheddar so it won’t get lost in the cheese sauce.
Mozzarella Cheese: Helps give this mac and cheese it’s gooey cheesiness.
Fontina Cheese: Another great melty cheese, fontina is a great addition to macaroni and cheese. If you cannot find it you can substitute other mild, melty cheeses like provolone, gruyere or gouda.
Butter: Makes this mac and cheese just a bit creamier and richer.
Ground Mustard Powder: In addition to adding flavor, mustard also works as an emulsifier and helps make the sauce creamier.
Paprika: Adds a smoky flavor and color.
Granulated Garlic: Just a hint of garlic flavor! You can also substitute garlic powder.
How Do You Make it:
When I usually make macaroni and cheese, I make a roux with butter and flour then slowly whisk in milk. Finally I stir in the cheese until it melts. And, don’t get me wrong, macaroni and cheese this way is fabulous too. But it takes a bit more time. With Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, you cook the pasta in the Instant Pot then stir in evaporated milk, 3 different cheeses and seasonings. Then BAM! The creamiest mac and cheese you’ve ever had.
Looking for more Instant Pot Recipes? I’ve got you covered!
If you love this Macaroni and Cheese Recipe, you’ll love these other variations!
Roasted Garlic and Thyme Mac n’ Cheese
Loaded Mac and Cheese from Lemon Tree Dwelling
Note: This recipe was originally posted in 2018. It was updated with new step by step photos, tips, a video and nutrition facts in 2020.
Servings
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dried elbow noodles
- 4 cups water
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional)
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place dry elbow noodles and water in the instant pot (or other pressure cooker). Cook on high for 4 minutes. Do a manual release. There shouldn't be excess water but if there is a bit you can strain it.
- Stir in evaporated milk. Add butter in, if using, and stir until melted.
- Stir in sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella and fontina until melted. Stir in mustard, paprika and granulated garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
[…] Homemade Mac and cheese has never been creamier or easier! Instant Pot Mac and Cheese will be your new favorite way to get your cheesy on. The full recipe can be found at Life’s Ambrosia. […]
Just to be clear all I said was a switch that button I didn’t tell you to break it, pay attention, please.
Thanks for awesome recipe keep it up.
good article, thank you
Your article is very helpful, the topic is particularly interesting, thanks for conveying to us, keep it up.
Oh nooo! i’m sorry that happened! Also, you’re supposed to use Evaporated Milk not Condensed Milk. Condensed milk is sweetened but evaporated is not.
always read the instructions, not just the ingredients list. I stuck the milk in with the water and then pressure cooked it. Big frothy milk mess to clean up on pressure release :( I used condensed milk from a tin but it made it very sweet. Think next time I’ll just use normal milk and a tablespoon of flour.
It looks delicious, thanks for being an inspiration to me.
[…] Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese […]
You’re welcome! I bet the cream cheese will make it even creamier. I’d love to hear how it goes!
I’ll be making this tonight for my husband. I don’t have mozzarella on hand, so I’m hoping he won’t notice that I replace that for cream cheese! Thank you for the EASY recipe!
Great recipe! I love making homemade mac and cheese!
Awesome recipe thank you very much.
YUM! This is the creamiest mac & cheese ever!!!
OMG! I love how creamy these mac and cheese is! A must try recipe!
This looks so good! I love making homemade mac and cheese!
One of the most requested dinner at my house!! This was a huge hit!
Perfect use of my instant pot, thank you for sharing!
Mac and cheese is always a hit in our home; looking forward to giving this a try! Looks too good to pass up!
Mac and cheese perfection right here and I love the IP version, thanks!
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
I’m going to make this. It sounds better than a recipe I already have.Thanks.
Try to cook thanks for the recipe.
Love your blog please add more recipes.
Thank you very much for the fantastic recipe.
Looks really amazing thanks for the recipe.
You’re great, pasta with sauce looks great, I love pasta.
delicious pot mac and cheese recipe! i want this! thanks
This sounds looks good!!! Homemade cheese and mac is the best!
wow so yummy! i can’t wait to try this recipe, looks delicious, thanks
yum I like your recipe! I will try this recipe soon Thanks for sharing
This looks AWESOME! Love all the different kinds of cheese!
This is so easy to make! A perfect weeknight meal!
I can’t express enough how amazingly delicious this looks.
This sounds sooo good!!! Homemade mac and cheese is the best!!
I just started making mac and cheese in the IP, and I’m never going back. Yours looks so good!
I am new to the Instant Pot game. I haven’t tried much pasta. This looks like the perfect place to start!
This looks so good! Homemade mac and cheese is the best!
My boys are going to love this! So cheesy!!