5.0 from 9 votes
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Make this easy Instant Pot mac and cheese and turn this classic baked side dish into a one pot, 5 ingredient meal.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Time to Reach Pressure
10 mins
Total Time
19 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 480 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound box elbow macaroni
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons butter cut in small pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup heavy cream half-and-half or milk
- 4 cups shredded cheese any type or combination
Optional
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder or garlic powder
Instructions
- Put the macaroni, water, butter and seasonings into the Instant Pot.
- Make sure the macaroni is totally covered with water. Push it down into the water if necessary.
- Make sure the Instant Pot lid has a sealing ring and that the pressure valve is closed. Put the lid on and set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 4 minutes.
- It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure. Grate the cheese while the pasta cooks.
- After the cooking time is up do a quick release by venting the valve.
- Carefully open the lid and stir in heavy cream, half and half or milk.
- Gradually add cheese, 1 cup at a time, stirring after each addition until completely combined and cheese is melted. Don't dump all the cheese in at once!
- Serve immediately.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You will get better results if you shred it yourself rather than buying a bag that is already shredded. Shredded cheese can contain anti-caking agents which make the cheese sauce less smooth and creamy.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1g
Calories
480kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
44g
(15%)
Protein
20g
(40%)
Fat
24g
(37%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
77mg
(26%)
Sodium
680mg
(28%)
Potassium
194mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
795IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
0.2mg
(0%)
Calcium
315mg
(32%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 480
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 480kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 77mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 680mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 194mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 795IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 315mg | 32% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.