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 Ingredients
* see recipe card below for FULL PRINTABLE recipe
- elbow macaroni
- pasta cooking liquid (preferred broth or plain water)
- butter
- salt and pepper
- milk
- cheddar cheese
- Monterey jack cheese (or preferred cheese)
How to make mac and cheese in the Instant Pot
* see recipe card below for FULL PRINTABLE recipe
- Add all ingredients (except milk and cheese) to the Instant Pot.
- Close lid and pressure cook on high for 2 minutes.
- Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR).
- Open lid. Stir in the milk and cheese.
- Serve warm.
Check out my Instant Pot Mac n Cheese with Kielbasa for a mac and cheese dinner hack.
Grab more Instant Pot recipes
The best pasta for Instant Pot mac and cheese
Elbow macaroni is probably the most commonly used for mac n 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 Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Chicken Broth?
You sure can! Some people won't do 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 oversalting. 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 mac and cheese
I kept my homemade macaroni and cheese recipe super basic with cheddar and jack so that you could customize to your heart's desire. The sky's the limit and you can use any cheese. 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 with 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
If you want to cook chicken, seafood, beef, or pork and add it to your mac and cheese, here's what I recommend:
- Before making mac and cheese in the Instant Pot, saute the protein of choice using the "saute" function on the cooker and a splash of your preferred cooking oil. You want it to be fully cooked, so please follow food safety guidelines for properly cooking meat or seafood.
- Transfer the fully cooked protein to a plate.
- Make the mac and cheese in the Instant Pot as listed below.
- Chop the cooked meat into bite-sized pieces, if needed, and fold it the prepared mac and cheese.
- Cover and allow the whole meal to warm through. Use the "saute" function if extra heat is needed, and stir as needed.
Seasonings
This macaroni and cheese recipe has minima seasonings so you can get creative. I recommend any of these seasonings:
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- Cajun 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
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Broiled Salmon
- Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon
Recommended Tools
- Instant Pot
- stirring utensil
- cheese grater
- measuring cup and spoons
More Instant Pot Recipes
- 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
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 mac and cheese in an airtight container up to five days.To reheat, 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 (macaroni, penne, rotini, etc) gets 2 minutes + 10 minute NPR.
- Thinner pasta (shell, spaghetti noodles) gets 1 minute + 10 minute NPR.
TOOLS NEEDED
- stirring utensil
- cheese grater
- measuring cup and spoons
Nutrition
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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!
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!
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.
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 😉
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 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂
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!
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 😂
Perfect comfort food and this version is so easy to make too.
Thanks, Amanda! Glad you think so 🙂
The IP is such a magical appliance, right?! This looks so good - so creamy!
Thanks, Patricia! It is so so creamy ... everyone's fav! 🙂
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!
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!