Instant Pot Mac ‘n Cheese

Instant Pot Mac ‘n Cheese is equally fast and delicious! Perfectly cooked pasta, from scratch sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping will knock your socks off! Perfect for ages 1-101!

Instant Pot + Pasta = MAGIC

I love using my Instant Pot to cook pasta. In fact, I don’t make it any other way now.

Say goodbye to babysitting a pot full of boiling starchy water that is bound to boil over at any second. Really, who has time for that?

With the Instant Pot, it is a set it and forget it type thing. I use my Instant Pot to make pasta a few times per week. I love that I can throw the pasta in, and play a game of memory or feed my baby while it is cooking!

The basic rule of thumb is to pressure cook the pasta on HIGH for half the suggested time on the box. If the box says 6-10 minutes, I usually pressure cook for 3 minutes.

As for the amount of liquid, I’ll be honest, I never measure. Just make sure the pasta is completely covered wth liquid.

Fair warning, if you decide to cook a lot of pasta (say like 32 ounces of pasta at once..) let the pot naturally release for 5 or so minutes before quick releasing the pressure. If you go straight for the quick release, you’ll end up with a hot starchy water volcano. Ask me how I know this..

The take away- Instant Pot and Pasta are basically soulmates.

Don’t have an Instant Pot yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Get yours now!

How to make Instant Pot Mac ‘n Cheese

Making Mac ‘n Cheese in the Instant Pot is a lot easier than you think, guaranteed. First, the elbow pasta is pressure cooked with broth and minced onion for 2 minutes. (Yes, T-W-O minutes!)

After the pasta is done, you’ll hit it with some heavy cream and cheese. The cheese is very important to the overall taste of your Mac ‘n Cheese. Using a very mild cheese will result in a pretty flavorless Mac ‘n Cheese.

I like to use a combination of Extra Sharp Cheddar, Colby Jack and Parmesan. That is my favorite combination.

And now for my favorite part- The bread crumb topping. No, this isn’t what you buy at the store. I’m talking about homemade breadcrumbs.

I literally throw two slices of bread in my blender (I have a Blendtec. LOVE IT. Get yourself one ASAP.) and pulse until I have bread crumbs! Then I add in some minced garlic, parsley and melted butter.

I pour the breadcrumbs on top of the Mac ‘n Cheese (after I transfer it to an oven safe dish, of course!) and then broil until golden perfection.

This is the easiest meal that will please everyone of all ages!

Instant Pot Mac ‘n Cheese

Instant Pot Mac ‘n Cheese is equally fast and delicious! Perfectly cooked pasta, from scratch sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping will knock your socks off! Perfect for ages 1-101!

Ingredients

Mac ‘n Cheese

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1/2 tbsp minced onion dried
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2cup parmesan cheese shredded
• 1/2  cup colby jack cheese shredded
• 1/2cup extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• salt and pepper  to taste

Bread Crumb Topping

• 2 slices bread
• 2 tbsp butter melted
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic dried
• 1/2 tsp parsley flakes

Instructions

1. Place the broth, elbow macaroni pasta and minced onion in the Instant Pot liner.
2. Cook on Manual HIGH for 2 minutes NPR for 3 minutes and then QR.
3. While the pasta is cooking, make the breadcrumb topping. Place the two slices of bread in a blender or food processor and pulse until the slices are fine crumbs.
4. Pulse in the melted butter, garlic and parsley. Set aside.
5. Quick release the pressure when the pasta has finished cooking and naturally released the pressure for 3 minutes.
6. Pour in the heavy cream and all the cheeses! Stir until combined, thick and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
7. Transfer to an oven safe dish. Top with the breadcrumbs and broil until golden and crispy!

Check out these other Instant Pot recipes!

Dump and Start Instant Pot Creamy Ziti

 Instant Pot Steak Fajitas
Instant Pot SKINNY Alfredo

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Instant Pot Mac 'n Cheese

Instant Pot Mac 'n Cheese is equally fast and delicious! Perfectly cooked pasta, from scratch sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping will knock your socks off! Perfect for ages 1-101!

4.56 from 18 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Author: Karli Bitner

Ingredients

Mac 'n Cheese

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1/2 tbsp minced onion dried
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup colby jack cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• salt and pepper to taste

Bread Crumb Topping

• 2 slices bread
• 2 tbsp butter melted
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic dried
• 1/2 tsp parsley flakes

Instructions

• Place the broth, elbow macaroni pasta and minced onion in the Instant Pot liner. 
• Cook on Manual HIGH for 2 minutes NPR 3 minutes.
• While the pasta is cooking, make the breadcrumb topping. Place the two slices of bread in a blender or food processor and pulse until the slices are fine crumbs.
• Pulse in the melted butter, garlic and parsley. Set aside.
• Quick release the pressure when the pasta has finished cooking and has naturally released pressure for 3 minutes.
• Pour in the heavy cream and all the cheeses! Stir until combined, thick and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
• Transfer to an oven safe dish. Top with the breadcrumbs and broil until golden and crispy!

Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingwithkarli or tag #cookingwithkarli!