Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Everyone’s favorite mac and cheese in Instant Pot! Unbelievably creamy and easy mac and cheese recipe that tastes A-H-M-A-Z-I-N-G and it is made in one pot. Creamy Instant pot mac and cheese is a family favorite!!

‘Tis Mac and Cheese day!!

Creamy mac and cheese made in Instant Pot.

Weeknight dinner. School lunch. Meal prep. Pot lucks. Comfort food any time!

Yet another Instant pot pasta recipe! Yes, I don’t remember the last time I cooked pasta in boiling water.

Here are a few amazing instant pot pasta recipes :

Instant Pot Pasta with Chicken Meat Sauce

Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

All simple, easy pasta recipes made with jarred marinara sauce.

Now, Let us get to our star : Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

• Easy
• Quick
• One pot
• Ain’t bland
• Kid friendly
• Creamy
• No fuss

Pancakes for Dinner – Pizza Pancakes <—- Another kid friendly dinner idea!!!

The main team players in this easy mac and cheese instant pot :

Macaroni : Though I’m a HUGE fan of penne pasta, I stuck to the classic macaroni shape. If you are interested in pasta recipes using penne, then check out the collection of pasta recipes

Cheese : Cheddar and American cheese <—- melts smooth.  I highly recommend staying away from pre grated packaged cheeses. Potato starch, cellulose and/or other ingredients are mixed along with grated packaged cheeses to prevent the cheese from clumping together. However, these inhibits the cheese from melting smooth and does not give a creamy mouth feel.

You could either use a block and grate it yourself, or use sliced cheeses. I used sliced American cheese, since I didn’t want to use a small part of a block and then waste or let it go bad in the fridge.

Chicken stock : An unusual ingredient in a mac and cheese recipe, but it sure is a flavorful addition. We used 33% reduced sodium. If you use regular or no sodium, then adjust salt accordingly. Got more stock? Try in this Instant Pot Pasta with Chicken Meat Sauce or this uber popular Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice. 

Milk: Whole milk or 2% preferred.

Love your instant pot ? Check out more Easy Instant Pot Dinner Ideas 

How to make Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese:

Step-1: Make Roux. Heat Instant Pot to sauté. When hot, melt butter and then stir in flour. Continue to saute for about a minute, so that the flour is toasted and gets nutty.

Step-2: Add chicken stock and let it come to a boil.

Step-3: Press cancel, stir in macaroni, seasonings and half the milk. Close and cook for 5 minutes.

Step-4: Release pressure immediately, stir in remaining milk and cheeses.

Done and DONE

Easy Mac and Cheese recipe in Instant pot.

Instant Pot Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce ( 5 Ingredient recipe) <— Dump and go instant pot pasta recipe

Tips and tricks in making the best mac and cheese Instant pot recipe: 

Roux – Any good mac and cheese recipe begins with a béchamel . What is a béchamel? Also know as white sauce, béchamel is made by cooking equal parts of flour and butter cooked together (known as roux) and then adding milk, allowing the flour to become a thickener.

Any pasta made in Instant pot does not necessarily need a thickener, since the pasta is cooked along with liquid, therefore, the starches from pasta naturally thickens the sauce. But, I went a step further in making a instant pot creamy mac and cheese that promises true CREAMINESS without any cream cheese!!

Addition of milk – If you look at the easy instant pot mac and cheese recipe carefully, the milk is added in two stages. This is to make sure that the pasta is not overcooked.

Ain’t bland – We take extra steps to ensure a very flavorful instant pot mac and cheese —> chicken stock, salt, pepper, garlic powder and Sriracha, for that hint of spice!

I made this homemade mac and cheese instant pot recipe in a 3 quart Instant Pot.

Mac and cheese tends to thicken as it cools. Just stir in 1 to 3 tablespoons or warm water to loosen it up.

How to meal prep creamy instant pot mac and cheese? 

Make mac and cheese instant pot, cool and pack into meal prep containers. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

How to reheat mac and cheese in instant pot?

Splash a bit of water on mac and cheese and microwave until hot, stirring once in between.

More Instant Pot Pasta recipes like this creamy instant pot mac and cheese recipe : 

Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta –This Instant Pot chicken parmesan pasta recipe is an easy weeknight dinner recipe. All the flavors of classic chicken parmesan made into a one pot, comforting meal. Easiest clean up! 

Instant Pot No-Cream Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce –So creamy, so rich, so amazing yet so much healthier Instant pot no-cream pasta with tomato cream sauce. You will never miss the cream!

Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce -Say hello to your new favorite weeknight pasta recipe! This Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta with tomato cream sauce is easy, creamy, ready in under 30 minutes and tastes amazing.

Instant Pot Pasta with Chicken Meat Sauce – Instant pot pasta with meat sauce made with ground chicken instead! Easier and healthier instant pot pasta recipe that is sure to become a family favorite for weeknight dinner or meal prepped for the week. Instant pot pasta with chicken meat sauce for the win!

Or this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

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