Instant Pot Mac and Cheese - a super simple mac and cheese Instant Pot beginners will nail every time! It's perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy cheese sauce that's a quick, hands-free dinner recipe the whole family will love!
Instant Pot mac n cheese is America's favorite comfort food made with simple ingredients you probably have on hand. Unlike the beloved stove version of homemade mac and cheese, this pressure cooker version (equally beloved) lets you toss all ingredients (except cheese) in the pot, go do stuff, come back, add cheese, and serve. It's honestly one of those recipes every Instant Pot owner should have, whether you're flying solo or heading up a hungry squad.
Instant Pot Mac n Cheese Recipe Ingredient Notes
- elbow macaroni - feel free to use any pasta shape for mac and cheese (see recipe footnotes for cooking time variation)
- pasta cooking liquid - use broth (chicken or vegetable) or water to cook your pasta in Instant Pot.
- butter - you can substitute any cooking fat for butter
- salt and pepper
- milk - use any fat % (I usually use 1%)
- cheese - for this recipe, I use a combo of cheddar and Jack, but you can use other cheeses. Just be aware that this changes the consistency.
How to make mac and cheese in the Instant Pot
- Add ingredients: Add all ingredients (except milk and cheese) to the Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook: Close lid and pressure cook on high for 2 minutes.
- Depressurize: Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR).
- Add ingredients: Open lid. Stir in the milk and cheese.
- Serve and devour!
Check out my Instant Pot Mac n Cheese with Kielbasa for a mac and cheese dinner hack.
The best pasta for mac and cheese in the Instant Pot
Elbow macaroni is probably the most commonly used for pressure cooker mac and cheese. But, you can use just about any classic pasta variety with this mac and cheese Instant Pot recipe. I recommend macaroni, rotini (spirals), or shells.
Can you make mac and cheese with chicken broth?
You sure can! Of course, it's 100% personal preference. Some people won't make homemade macaroni and cheese any other way. When using chicken broth, I recommend using a reduced-sodium version or simply add salt to taste, to avoid over-salting. You could also mix a non-reduced sodium chicken broth with water into a 1:1 ratio to reduce the sodium.
The best cheese for pressure cooker mac and cheese
My #1 rule, no matter what kind of cheese I'm using, is to shred it myself. I do not recommend using pre-shredded cheese because it has anti-caking ingredient that can ruin the consistency. That said, my homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is super basic with cheddar and jack, so feel free to improvise. The sky's the limit and you can use any cheese, but please know that the consistency will change. Here are a few ideas...
- mozzarella (whole milk or part skim)
- gruyere
- parmesan
- colby jack
- swiss
- gouda
- brie
- goat
- cream cheese
How can I dress up mac and cheese?
Vegetables
- cooked broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, or peas
- fresh mushrooms or roasted mushrooms
- steamed kale, spinach, or other greens
- canned green chiles or pickled jalapenos (for spicy)
Meat
Any of these cooked proteins can be folded in to the cheese at the end of the cooking cycle:
- Instant Pot pulled pork
- ham
- crumbled bacon
- Instant Pot shredded chicken
- shredded baked chicken thighs
- seasoned ground beef
- Kielbasa or hot dogs
Seasonings you can use for mac and cheese in the Instant Pot
This macaroni and cheese recipe has minimal seasonings so you can get creative. I recommend any of these:
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- Cajun seasoning
- Taco seasoning
- Dijon mustard (or mustard powder)
- red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
- everything bagel seasoning
- hot sauce
What to serve with Instant Pot mac n cheese
- Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs
- Pan Fried Pork Chops
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Corned Beef
- Southwest Baked Chicken Wings
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast
- Broiled Salmon
- Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon
Recommended Tools
- Instant Pot
- stirring utensil
- cheese grater
- measuring cup and spoons
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Mac n Cheese with Kielbasa
- Instant Pot Chili Mac
- Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl
- Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
- Taco Pasta for Instant Pot or Stove
- Lasagna Soup for Instant Pot or Stove
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 oz Uncooked Macaroni Noodles, * see footnote about pasta type
- 4 cups Broth or Water, chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 Tbsp Butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 2/3 cup Milk, or heavy cream
- 8 oz Cheddar Cheese, shredded (same as 2 cups)
- 8 oz Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded (same as 2 cups)
RECIPE VIDEO
Equipment
- stirring utensil
- cheese grater
- measuring cup and spoons
Recipe Instructions
- Add MACARONI, BUTTER, BROTH, SALT, and PEPPER to the Instant Pot. Push pasta under the water to submerge it.
- Secure lid and turn pressure valve to "Sealing".
- Select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" on HIGH for 2 minutes. Yes, you heard that right...only 2 minutes.
- When cook cycle completes, allow cooker to sit undisturbed for a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR). Do not cut this time short...the pasta is still cooking.
- Safely turn pressure valve to "venting" position and release any remaining steam.
- Open the lid and stir in MILK.
- Stir in CHEDDAR and JACK cheese until creamy.
- Serve warm (optional sprinkle of parsley).
Mac and cheese storage and reheat instructions
- Refrigerate in an airtight container up to five days.
- To reheat mac and cheese, add a splash of broth or milk to moisten the macaroni and reheat on the stove over medium heat, or microwave on medium-high, stirring as needed.
Recipe Notes
- Thicker pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, bowtie, etc) gets 2 minutes + 10 minute NPR.
- Thinner pasta (shell pasta, spaghetti noodles) gets 1 minute + 10 minute NPR.
- gruyere
- parmesan
- colby jack
- swiss
- gouda
- brie
- goat
- cream cheese
- mozzarella (you can use this but it tends to be stringy)
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Jua says
I’ve tried quite a few instant pot Mac and cheese recipes but I think by far this is the best daily recipe to go with. Easy, quick and my kids like it. I don’t have time to put bread crumbs and make it fancy. This recipe works for me. Yes yes yes.
Yay! That's exactly what I was going for with this recipe ... simple, no frills, and lovable 🙂 Thanks SO much for the feedback! I love knowing you and your family enjoyed it.
Chaz says
Made this yesterday with my Grandsons, although I tweaked it a bit... After it was done, first I tasted it, because I wanted to taste the base recipe, and it was awesome! Then I took it a bit further and tweaked it a bit, just because I like to experiment...
I dumped it into an aluminum pan, crumbled three strips of cooked bacon over it, and shredded about a cup of pepper jack and sprinkled it over the top. Then poured about a half cup more heavy cream over it, and took it out to my smoker and smoked it over cherry and mesquite for a half hour at 225. Your recipe and my experiment = Best Mac & Cheese I've ever had!
Lol well I must say my mac and cheese gets the job done ... but your experiment ... straight fire! That sounds ah-mazing! Thanks for sharing ... and for the review 🙂
Ashley says
Any idea how this would work with gluten free pasta?
Hi Ashley, I've had a few people say to use 0 minutes of pressure cook time, but I haven't tested that myself. I do know it's very easy to overcook Instant Pot mac and cheese with GF pasta. I think you have to experiment and find your fav brand 🙂 Hope that helps!
Emily says
I'm new to the Instant Pot world and was a little skeptical anything could beat the mac & cheese I grew up with (which involves things like making a white sauce, boiling pasta, washing a substantial pile of dishes afterwards etc).
This is stupidly easy and incredibly fast and the most complicated part of cleanup is disassembling the IP lid.
I'm hooked.
P.S. you left out the last step, which is "stand over the IP after putting away the leftovers and scrape out the last of the cheese sauce with a spoon" 🙂
Lol what a great review, Emily! You're too kind ... and hilarious I'm so glad you enjoy this mac and cheese as much as I do 🙂 Thanks again for the kind words. Cheers!
Jeffrey says
This mac and cheese in Instant Pot is my new favorite IP recipe. One pot, all-in, no draining, stir in milk and cheese, basically hands free. Oh, and perfect every time! I love love this with your pulled pork. Heaven in a bowl.
Jamie says
I love how this can be made in the instant pot! I'm always looking for hearty meals that can be made for dinner and this is it!
Thanks, Jamie! Yep, quick and easy ... our favorite 😉
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
This is the ultimate comfort food and looks so fulfilling and delicious! I can't wait to give this a try.
Thanks, Bintu! Glad you can enjoy mac and cheese in the Instant Pot 🙂
Jersey Girl Cooks says
This is a quick way to make creamy mac and cheese for my family!
Yes! You got that right! Mac and cheese is suuuper family friendly 🙂
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
I love mac and cheese - cannot wait to try the Instant Pot Version! Sounds super easy and it looks soooo cheesy
Thanks! Yes, this mac and cheese is definitely cheesy ... so irresistible 🙂
Noelle says
This was so easy to make, my whole family loved it! Perfect dinner idea
Awesome, Noelle! So glad to hear it's family-approved in your house 🙂 Thanks!
Soniya says
Oh my goodness this looks and sounds incredible .... Can't wait to make this for dinner tonight.. I have all the ingredients!
Yay Soniya! Hope you love it like we do. Our leftovers last about a day with this mac and cheese recipe
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
Perfect comfort food and this version is so easy to make too.
Thanks, Amanda! Glad you think so 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
The IP is such a magical appliance, right?! This looks so good - so creamy!
Thanks, Patricia! It is so so creamy ... everyone's fav! 🙂
Amanda says
I love that this cooks in the Instant Pot! It made it so convenient. We really loved the sauce as well.
Glad to hear it, Amanda! Mac and cheese in Instant Pot really is convenient. Thanks!
whitney says
I love making mac & cheese in the instant pot! It tastes so much better homemade. I'll have to try some of those add-ins you listed!
Awesome, Whitney! Glad you can enjoy this mac and cheese...thanks!