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–+ servings
Bowl full of creamy Instant Pot mac and cheese made with small shells and garnished with dried parsley.
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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Super creamy, cheesy, and delicious, this is also supremely easy to make. Ready in less than 20 minutes and with minimal hassle.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot mac and cheese
Servings: 8
Calories: 401kcal
Author: Monica Lensink

Ingredients

  • 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni or small pasta shells
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1/2-3/4 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • parsley or breadcrumbs optional to serve

Instructions

  • Stir pasta, broth, butter, ground mustard, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper together in the bowl of the Instant Pot.
  • Close the lid, seal, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. While the pot comes to pressure and cooks, grate the cheese.
  • When the 5 minutes is up, allow a 1 minute natural pressure release, then do a quick release of the rest. Open the Instant Pot and stir vigorously.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup of the milk, followed by one handful of the shredded cheeses. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and smooth, then continue adding the cheese in 2-3 separate handfuls, stirring each one smooth before adding the next.
  • Add up to 1/4 cup more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency, and season with more salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley or breadcrumbs, if you like, and serve!

Notes

  • This recipe yields 8 size-able portions and will stretch to feed a bigger crowd as a side dish.
  • Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, but I do recommend including at least two different types for best flavor, and at least one cheese that melts smoothly without being stringy -- like cheddar or Gouda.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 864mg | Potassium: 207mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 469IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 290mg | Iron: 1mg