Instant Pot Mac and Cheese takes hardly any time to cook, is majorly creamy and delicious, and will become your go-to mac and cheese recipe!
Mac and cheese is such a staple at my house, I feel like I am always cooking it. Well, in the summer I hate heating my oven and stove up, so I love using my instant pot to make these recipes. Using the instant pot saves time, effort, and it's SO EASY! You literally dump everything in the pot and turn it on; it doesn't get easier than this! Instant Pot Mac and Cheese will quickly become your favorite easy instant pot recipe!
I use my Instant Pot for everything these days, and you should too! Don’t have an Instant Pot? You need to buy one now!! They are life changing because they save so much time and effort!!! I recommend the 6 quart Instant Pot if you have 2-4 people in your family, but if you have more than 4 people, I recommend the 8 quart Instant Pot. If you haven't tried my popular Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps or Instant Pot Peanut Butter Cheesecake (yes, cheesecake), then you HAVE to check those out! This instant pot mac and cheese recipe cooks so quickly and is really delicious and creamy in the instant pot! Not only that, but you don't have to waste time straining the pasta, you just cook everything all together; it's great! If you like creamy white cheddar mac and cheese, checkout this copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe.
How to make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese:
**Scroll down for full ingredient list and directions - this is an overview **
- Add the dry pasta to the instant pot. Add water or broth to the noodles, mustard, and salt. Close the lid, make sure the pressure valve is sealed, and set the instant pot on manual/high for 4 minutes.
- You should remember when using the Instant Pot, that the time it takes to cook the recipe (4 mins), is not the total time of the recipe. You need to give the pot some time to ‘come to pressure’, and the more water in the pot, the longer this will take. Don’t worry, just let it do it’s thing!
- Release the pressure once the time is up, then add milk (or heavy cream/half and half, evaporated milk), cheese, and butter. Mix it all up until it's smooth and creamy. Serve with your favorite meal!
How to make Mac and Cheese a complete meal:
If you are serving just mac and cheese for dinner, you might want to add some goodies to the dish to make it a more complete meal.
- Add cubed (bite sized) chicken to the pot when you cook the pasta. The chicken can be raw, just make sure you season it with salt and pepper (cajun seasoning would be good too!). Don't want to add raw chicken? Stir in left over rotisserie chicken during the cheese/milk/butter step.
- Add vegetables! Broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, and zucchini are all great additions for mac and cheese.
- Make it cajun style! Add chicken, sausage, red and yellow bell peppers, and cajun seasoning to the pot! Your family will LOVE this meal!
- Make the instant pot mac and cheese according to directions and serve alongside another main dish such as Chive Mustard Chicken, Easy Italian Meatball Sliders, or Hawaiian Style Hot dogs!
Can I make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with a different type of milk?
The short answer is yes. I used whole milk for the recipe because I think it provides a better creamy texture. However, using half and half or heavy cream would also be great options. You can also use evaporated milk in place of milk (same amount), but it adds a slightly off putting taste in my opinion. Some people LOVE evaporated milk in mac and cheese, but I like to stick to regular milk. It's totally your preference!
My favorite Instant Pot Recipes:
- Instant Pot Salsa Rice is the perfect meal or side dish to your favorite Mexican inspired dinner! Filled with fresh vegetables and only 4 minutes in the Instant Pot and this rice is ready to eat!
- Instant Pot Asian Pork cooks up in just minutes, and is the perfect healthy dinner! Use the juicy meat in lettuce wraps, sliders, or a salad!
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Butter takes only 3 minutes to make, and is a delicious fall recipe that's perfect on toast, biscuits, or in your favorite dessert!
- Instant Pot Roasted Garlic Hummus has only a handful of ingredients and is so delicious! Save money and know exactly what’s in your food with this recipe!
- Instant Pot Bang Bang Chicken comes together in minutes and is so delicious! The classic spicy sauce is perfect on shredded chicken which can be used in rice bowls, salads, wraps, or however you want!
- Instant Pot Peanut Butter Cheesecake is a stunning dessert that comes together in no time! Not only is it amazingly easy, but it’s the best cheesecake EVER!
- Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a delicious healthy meal that cooks in just 10 minutes! Simple to make, family friendly, and so tasty!
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Egg Loaf: In five minutes you can have a whole bunch of hardboiled eggs which are perfect for egg salad! No peeling or ice bath for this Instant Pot Hard Boiled Egg Loaf!
- Instant Pot Thai Lettuce Wraps (pork or chicken) can be made with pork or chicken in the instant pot or slow cooker! Juicy pork or chicken covered in an easy Thai peanut sauce makes the perfect healthy easy dinner!
- Instant Pot Roasted Red Pepper Soup: Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons is the perfect comfort food without any guilt! Make it in the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or on the stove top!
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is ready to eat in just minutes and is super flavorful! No need to peel the husk; corn on the cob can be cooked directly in the husk and then removed without a mess!
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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese takes hardly any time to cook, is majorly creamy and delicious, and will become your go-to mac and cheese recipe!
- 16 ounces pasta
- 4 cups water or broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 TBS dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 TBS butter
- 1 cup whole milk (can use half and half, heavy cream, or evaporated milk)
- 4 ounces sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 4 ounces monterey cheese, freshly grated
- 2 ounces parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- black pepper to taste
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Add pasta to instant pot. Add water/broth, salt, and mustard; stir to combine. Close instant pot lid and place pressure valve in sealed position. Set on manual/high for 4 minutes.
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Once the time is up, release the pressure immediately by flipping the valve and releasing the steam. Remove the top, then add milk, cheese, paprika, and butter; stir constantly until cheese is melted and everything is combined*. Add black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Recipe Video
*If mac and cheese hasn't thickened completely, turn pot to saute mode and cook for a few minutes while stirring. This should thicken up any remaining liquid.
Celeste
No longer than 10 minutes, from the time you put the lid on, seal it, and press start.
Tuna noodle casserole took me 10 minutes.
Audra
If doubling recipe do you double cooking time??
Allyson
Nope, cooking time stays the same 🙂
Gretchen
If you double the cook time, you'll burn it
Nicola Williams
This was exactly what I was looking for, a quick and easy last minute side for my son. It finished a bit watery after the first step but I added a heaping teaspoon of arrowroot and it did the trick. The sauce was creamy and thick!
I did do my magic and added my spices such as garlic powder and coriander which topped it off. Saved it for next time.
My son enjoyed it!!
nettie
delicious! this was the first recipe I cooked in may instant pot.
Allyson
So glad you loved it! Make sure you checkout all of my Instant Pot Recipes!
Jennifer
Can I double the recipe in a 6 qt Instant Pot?
Allyson
Yes it should be fine.
Amanda
Hi! Do you drain the water after pressure cooking before adding cheese and milk?
Allyson
There shouldn't be too much water left. If there is, I would drain it out!
Traci Smith
Can we double the recipe for Mac and Cheese in a 6 quart instant pot?
Allyson
I think so, yes!
Melissa
This is awesome! Just made it and kids already had their third helping. Bookmarking this and putting it on the rotation!