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 the whole family will love!
Instant Pot macaroni and cheese is America's favorite comfort food made with simple pantry ingredients you probably have on hand. The best part is that pressure cooker mac and cheese is a toss-and-go recipe. This means you toss everything in the pot and go do stuff, because it's virtually hands-free, just like Alfredo Chicken and Tuna Pasta.
Key ingredients
Get ingredient amounts in the full printable recipe below.
- 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 oil, if preferred
- salt and pepper - feel free to add these to taste
- milk - use any variety (I usually use 1% milk)
- 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
Get the full printable recipe below.
Step 1: Add ingredients (except milk and cheese) to the Instant Pot.
Step 2: Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 2 minutes. Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR). Carefully turn the pressure valve to release any remaining steam.
Step 3: Open the lid and stir in the milk.
Step 4: Stir in the cheese. Add a splash of milk to loosen the consistency.
Step 5: Serve and devour!
Recipe tips
Feel free to replace elbow macaroni with rotini spirals or medium shells such as the ones used in Beefy Taco Pasta.
You can make mac and cheese with chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water. I recommend a reduced-sodium broth and adding salt to taste.
I like to shred block cheese such as Cheddar, Gruyere, Gouda, etc. for this recipe because it melts more smoothly and is more economical than pre-shredded cheese.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with cream cheese is a game changing cook's secret. Cream cheese adds an irresistible rich and creamy texture to mac and cheese. Simply add about 4 oz cream cheese per every one pound of macaroni.
Make Instant Pot mac and cheese with Velveeta using my recipe below. Just replace the jack cheese with cubed Velveeta. You may need to use the "Saute" function to assist melting the Velveeta, stirring as needed.
Turn mac and cheese into a complete meal by adding cooked proteins like ham, bacon, shredded pork, shredded chicken, seasoned beef, or Kielbasa.
Try these Instant Pot recipes
What to serve with Instant Pot mac n cheese
- Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs
- Pan Fried Pork Chops
- Southwest Baked Chicken Wings
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast
- Broiled Salmon
- Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon
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 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, cut into pieces
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ cup Milk, or more as needed
- 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
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 DO NOT EMPTY the little bit of remaining liquid. You need it to incorporate the cheese into a sauce.
- Stir MILK into the cooked pasta.
- Add CHEDDAR and JACK CHEESE and stir until melted and creamy.Note: If needed, add splashes of milk and use the "Saute" function to add heat to incorporate the cheese, stirring as needed.
- 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.
Traci's Recipe Tips
- 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Helen C says
I have made this several times now and will be making it again tomorrow. Simple and cheesy, next time I'll add extra sharp cheddar & some shaved parm to ramp up the flavor. I read here someone added mustard, I'll try adding some Dijon as well. Love the versatility in this and a great one to tame a craving!!!
The Kitchen Girl says
Nice, Helen! I'm so glad you're enjoying this recipe 🙂 Yes, by all means, add yummy things. I kept it super basic for that very reason. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback. Cheers!
Charlotte BG says
Great recipe! No more box pasta with powder cheese for this gal. Especially appreciate the extra notes with cook times for different types of pasta. I add veg and protein like frozen veggies and can tuna. So good!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayy! I feel the exact same way. There's no need to use the box stuff when you always have pasta and cheese laying around 🙂 Thanks for the feedback and I'm glad you enjoyed. Cheers!
Amy says
Best I think I’ve ever made. Used a little heavy cream, some cream cheese (about 1/4 package) and American (6 slices in plastic) with the cheddar (8 oz good sharp cheddar) , cuz that’s what I had. Pasta was perfect with the 2 minutes cook plus 10 minute NPR. Added a tablespoon of yellow mustard and some fresh ground pepper. Also used half chicken bouillon and half water, again cuz that’s what I had. So very good.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayy! I'm so glad you made it work with what you had on hand 🙂 I love the other customizations too. This recipe lends itself to that and sounds like you nailed it. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment 🙂 Cheers!
Charlotte BG says
Thanks for the tip! I didn't have milk so added extra water and cream cheese for the creaminess since the cheddar wasn't enough. Great food hack!
The Kitchen Girl says
So glad you enjoyed 🙂 You can never go wrong with adding cream cheese. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers!