Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa - Pressure cooker mac and cheese with smoked Polish sausage in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. It's a delicious spin on my classic Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.
Who can argue the convenience and deliciousness of Instant pot mac n cheese. It might just be the easiest pressure cooked meal among my dinner recipe collection. There’s no prep, just dump ingredients, press ’start’, and go do stuff. When it’s done, slice the Kielbasa, add a few ingredients and you have a scrumptious spin on everyone's favorite macaroni and cheese!
Instant Pot Mac n Cheese with Kielbasa Ingredients
- ziti pasta (or macaroni noodles)
- water
- salt
- butter (or olive oil)
- kielbasa (or smoked sausage)
- milk
- Dijon mustard
- cheddar cheese
- parsley
How to make mac and cheese with Kielbasa in the Instant Pot
* get full printable recipe below
- Add dry pasta, water, kielbasa, and butter to the Instant Pot
- Cook on HIGH pressure for 2 minutes with 10 minute (NPR) natural pressure release.
- Open the lid, remove Kielbasa, slice it, and return it to the pasta.
- Add milk, Dijon, and cheese. Gently stir the pasta until the cheese melts and sauce becomes creamy. Serve warm
What is Kielbasa?
It’s a Polish sausage that’s usually packaged for retail and sold at most grocery stores. This savory sausage is pre-cooked, but can be grilled, baked, boiled, or fried, and used an any number of dishes to enhance flavor and texture. In this recipe, we simply pressure cook it with the pasta, slice it, and add it back to the mac and cheese.
Can I use smoked sausage in place of Kielbasa in mac n cheese?
Yes. You can substitute a non-Kielbasa smoked sausage in equal amounts. Some might use it in place of Kielbasa for flavor, texture, or limited availability.
Why we love pressure cooker mac and cheese with Kielbasa
- budget-friendly comfort food in under 30 minutes
- takes mac and cheese to a whole new level
- perfect dinner recipe for busy weeknights
- delicious and satisfying for the whole family
- dump-start recipe with no prep required
- no special cooking skills needed
Recommended Tools
- instant pot
- chef knife (or any knife) and cutting board
- stirring / serving utensil
- airtight storage container
More 30 minute Instant Pot Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl
- Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
- Taco Pasta (Instant Pot or Stove)
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Lasagna Soup for Instant Pot or Stove
- Italian Sausage Soup with Orzo
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 8 oz Ziti Pasta Noodles, or Macaroni Noodles
- 2 cups Water
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 2 Kielbasa Links, about 4 oz each
- 1 Tbsp Butter, cut into cubes
Mac and Cheese Sauce Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Milk
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard, optional
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz shredded
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, optional for garnish
Recipe Instructions
For the pasta and sausage
- Add DRY PASTA, WATER, and SALT to the Instant Pot. Push pasta under the water to submerge it.
- Place KIELBASA sausages on top of the pasta. Scatter BUTTER in the pot.
- Secure the lid; turn pressure valve to "Sealing" and pressure cook on HIGH for 2 minutes followed by a full 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR). *See recipe notes
- Safely turn pressure valve to "venting" position and release any remaining steam. Open the lid, transfer KIELBASA to a plate, slice into 1/4" pieces, and add back to the pasta.
For the mac and cheese sauce
- Add MILK, DIJON, and CHEDDAR CHEESE to the pasta, gently stirring until the cheese melts and sauce becomes creamy. * See recipe footnote about adding more cheese
Mac and cheese storage and reheat instructions
- Store mac and cheese in an airtight container up to five days in the refrigerator.To reheat, add a splash of liquid to moisten the macaroni and reheat via stove or microwave, stirring as needed.
Recipe Notes
- Thicker pasta (macaroni, penne, rotini, etc) gets 2 minutes + 10 minute NPR.
- Thinner pasta (shell, spaghetti noodles) gets 1 minute + 10 minute NPR.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Chantal says
This is definitely a kids favorite and my go-to when I am short on time! It's super easy and delicious. I often double the amount because we love having it for leftovers. I actually discovered an even shorter shortcut, if you could imagine, for the sauce. Instead of adding flour and milk, put in a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. It pairs really well with the shredded cheese and comes out very creamy. Thank you Traci for the awesome recipe. This definitely makes the family weeknight list!
Awesome Chantal! So glad you're enjoying the recipe 🙂 There's no flour added to this one, but the mushroom soup is def an option. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. Cheers!
Anna says
This would not be nearly enough for our 5 adult family . Can I double everything and use the same cooking time?
Hi Anna, sure can! As long as you have a 6 quart cooker or larger. Thanks for asking! Let me know if you have other questions...enjoy! 🙂
Heather says
Hi! I measured out 2 cups of dried macaroni- should I have used a whole 16oz box instead? It turned out too wet. Thank you!
Hi Heather, I wouldn't double because 1:1 macaroni and water is pretty standard for IP mac n cheese. Once cooked, there should be some liquid bc that (along with added milk and cheese) makes the cheese sauce creamy. Not sure what happened for you there but things to rule out would be A) shortened natural pressure release time B) different model cooker used C) different ingredients/measurements used.
Suzie says
This sounds wonderfully easy and delicious! Ca I add a vegetable? Maybe peas. How would this change the directions? Thanks!
Hi Suzie! Yep, you can add peas either before or after the pressure cook cycle. If you like your peas barely cooked, add them after. It's a quick pressure cook cycle so if you cook them with the pasta, they'll still be in tact, just not as bright green. Hope that helps...enjoy!
Alexandra says
Yum!! This made for such an easy and delicious dinner. I think this will be a regular in our household from now on.. who doesn’t love Mac and cheese!!
Yay, Alexandra! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you
Mirlene says
The flavor in this dish is phenomenal. Make this often for the kiddos and they absorb love it.
Awesome, Mirlene! I love it when the family signs off
Chris Collins says
I'm always on the hunt for new mac and cheese recipes and this looks like a total winner! Can't wait to try it 🙂
Awesome, Chris! Hope you love it!
Shashi says
Kielbasa most definitely takes mac and cheese to whole other level! Wow - so much flavor this comforting dish - bookmarking to try soon!
Yay Shashi! Hope you love it like we do 🙂
Adriana says
This is such a comforting dish like the idea of adding the sausage sounds delicious.
Thanks, Adriana! It really is a comfort dish...so easy too!
Jeff says
Oh man, these smoky, meaty bites take macaroni and cheese to another level. And it really couldn't be easier for a minimalist cook like me. Gonna keep making this one!
Awesome, Jeff! Yes, keep on making it! Try it with different smoked sausage too
Deanne says
Our family loved this mac and cheese recipe. It was easy to make and something we all enjoyed!
Awesome, Deanne! I'm always happy when the family signs off on a Kielbasa recipe Who can resist mac and cheese LOL
Erika says
This sounds amazing! I love the kielbasa added to the mac and cheese. I can't wait to try this! 🙂
Thanks, Erika! Hope you love it!
Neli Howard says
I’ll add this to my list for a fab fall dish! I love adding tasty sausage to different dishes. Looks great!
Awesome, Neli! Hope you love it
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Ohmygosh this looks so good! I love that it's a bit heartier than just plain old mac & cheese -- perfect for dinner!
Thanks, Patricia! Yep, Kielbasa adds that smoky flavor and hearty texture, for sure
Elaine says
I've got to admit, no matter how many mac'n'cheese recipes there are, I've got try every one of them! I just can never get tired of mac'n'cheese 🙂
Thanks, Elaine! I can never get tired of mac n cheese either