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Home » Recipes » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

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Recipe Cost $7.42
Recipe Serving Cost $1.24
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese. This recipe costs just $7.42 to make and $1.24 per serving!  via @easybudgetrecipesThis Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese. This recipe costs just $7.42 to make and $1.24 per serving!  via @easybudgetrecipesThis Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese. This recipe costs just $7.42 to make and $1.24 per serving!  via @easybudgetrecipesThis Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese. This recipe costs just $7.42 to make and $1.24 per serving!  via @easybudgetrecipesThis Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese. This recipe costs just $7.42 to make and $1.24 per serving!  via @easybudgetrecipesThis Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese. This recipe costs just $7.42 to make and $1.24 per serving!  via @easybudgetrecipesThis Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese. via @easybudgetrecipes

This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese. This recipe costs just $7.42 to make and $1.24 per serving! 

Creamy Mac and Cheese on a spoon.

Think back to your favorite childhood meals that your mom would make. Is one of your top five favorites involve memories of the best homemade macaroni and cheese? Us too! Did your mom spend hours in the kitchen putting the dish together? Ours too!

Enter the invention of the Instant Pot. Probably one of the best inventions ever, in our humble opinion! It is a staple in each of our kitchens that we simply cannot live without.

The instant pot helps make many of your favorite recipes in less time and only gets one dish dirty. Amazing, right? It is literally life-changing. 

So, what happens when we take the instant pot and add in some mac and cheese? We will tell you what happens. Magic, that is what happens! It feels like magic because you get the best instant pot mac and cheese that is so easy! We promise that you need to make this instant pot mac and cheese recipe, yesterday because it is cheesy, creamy, and oh so delicious.

How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe:

  1. First, set the elbow macaroni, butter, water, and salt in the Instant Pot.
  2. Next, lock the lid in place ensuring the seal is closed. Using the manual function, set the instant pot to high pressure and cook for 4 minutes.
  3. Once it is finished, use the quick pressure release and take the lid off the instant pot after the steam has dissipated. Then, stir in the milk.
  4. Finally, add in the cheese and stir until all the cheese is melted. 

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

  • Ages 2-3: Have them help you dump the ingredients into the instant pot. 
  • 4-5: Have them help you measure the ingredients, and stir the milk and cheese into the cooked macaroni.
  • 6-8: Have them grate the cheese for you. Also, walk them through how to seal the instant pot and set it on high for 4 minutes. 
  • 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. 
  • 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.

The Flavor Variations:

  • Homemade macaroni and cheese is so good on its own but it’s fun to mix it up every now and then. Our saying is bacon makes everything better! Throw in some cooked bacon to add a little crunch in there.
  • Feeling a little spicy? You can simply add some chopped green chiles, jalapenos or sriracha to take it up a notch.
  • To get your veggies in, throw in a couple of cups of steamed veggies after the mac and cheese is done cooking. 
  • To make Chile Mac and Cheese, add 2 cups of chile when you add in the milk in the recipe below.
  • You can use other cheese in this recipe besides what’s listed below. A good substitute for American cheese is Havarti. Try substituting Colby, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese instead of Cheddar. Also, you can use any other hard cheese like Manchego or Pecorino Romano instead of Parmesan.

Overhead picture of Mac and Cheese in a white serving bowl.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Mac and Cheese:

  • Steamed Broccoli: Something quick to serve alongside a filling dish like this instant pot mac and cheese is some simple steamed broccoli.
  • 1 Hour French Bread: You can also whip up our 1-hour French bread recipe.
  • Simple Salad or Veggie Sticks: Do you need something even simpler? Grab a bag of salad or some veggie sticks. Simple and healthy! Yes!

More Main Dish Recipes using Pasta:

  • 20-Minute Thai Peanut Noodles
  • American Goulash
  • Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
  • Katie’s Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Large Batch Chicken Pasta Salad
  • Skillet Lasagna
  • Slow Cooker Italian Harvest Soup
  • Tomato Chicken Alfredo

More Instant Pot Recipes:

  • Honey Baked Ham
  • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
  • Turkey Gravy

How long is this good for:

  • Serve: As with most recipes with dairy products in them, you shouldn’t leave this mac and cheese out for longer than 2 hours.
  • Store: This will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
  • Freeze: The cooked and cooled mac and cheese will keep in a freezer storage bag for 2 months.

3 Cheese Mac and Cheese in a serving bowl.

How do you reheat instant pot mac and cheese?

To reheat your instant pot mac and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, add a little milk to the mac and cheese first. The mac and cheese will be a little dry as the noodles will suck up the liquid in the dish overnight. Adding the milk before you reheat it will help with this so you can enjoy your homemade macaroni and cheese the next day.

What is the manual function on instant pot?

The manual function is probably the button you will most often on your Instant Pot. The manual function makes it possible to pressure cook and gives you the flexibility to select the amount of time you want to cook your food instead of using the preset buttons.  

How much will this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese cost:

RECIPE COST: $7.42 

PER SERVING COST: $1.24

To find out more on how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni – $1.38
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $0.30
  • 3 1/2 cups water – $0.00
  • 2 teaspoons salt – $0.02
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk – $1.14
  • 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese – $2.56
  • 4 ounces white American cheese from the deli counter – $1.52
  • 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese – $0.50

All of the ingredients needed to make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.Cook’s Note:

  • Please shred your own cheese for this recipe. Pre-shredded cheese has other additives that will alter the texture of this mac and cheese.

Cook’s Tools:

  • Instant Pot
  • liquid measuring cup
  • wooden spoon
Close up picture of creamy mac and cheese in a white bowl.
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4.95 from 19 votes

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Recipe Cost $7.42
Recipe Serving Cost $1.24
This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy recipe made with macaroni, butter, evaporated milk, and 3 kinds of cheese.
Prep Time16 mins
Cook Time4 mins
Preheating Instant Pot & Venting10 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, pasta
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 650kcal
Author: Easy Budget Recipes Original!

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk
  • 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese 2 cups
  • 4 ounces white American cheese from the deli counter cut into small pieces
  • 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese ¼ cup

Instructions

  • Place the elbow macaroni, butter, water, and salt to the Instant Pot.
    Add the macaroni, water, and butter to the Instant Pot.
  • Lock the lid in place and move to seal. Cook for 4 minutes on HIGH pressure, and then use the quick pressure release.
    Cook in the Instant Pot for 4 minutes on HIGH pressure.
  • Once the steam has dissipated, take the lid off of the Instant Pot and stir in the milk.
    Stir in the milk.
  • Finally, add in the cheese and stir until all of the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy.
    Add in the cheese.

Notes

  • If you are serving the mac and cheese as a side dish, then it will serve about 12 people. 
  • Please shred your own cheese for this recipe. Pre-shredded cheese has other additives that will alter the texture of this mac and cheese. 

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 1471mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 909IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 692mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you love this recipe?We'd love to hear from you follow us on Instagram @EasyBudgetRecipes and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

Picture collage of Mac and Cheese made in the Instant Pot for Pinterest.

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Filed Under: $10 Recipes, Instant Pot, Main Dish, Side Dish Tagged With: American cheese, cheddar cheese, cheese, comfort food, elbow macaroni, evaporated milk, parmesan cheese, pasta, salt, unsalted butter, water

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Next Post: Large-Batch Chicken Pasta Salad »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Suzi Hansen

    September 4, 2019 at 2:29 am

    I’ve been on the look for a good mac and cheese so I can’t wait to try this one. The fact that it can be made in the instant pot is a plus too.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 4, 2019 at 4:02 am

      We never make it any other way now…my kids actually complain when I have tried to make the box kind instead. LOL

  2. Miki

    September 5, 2019 at 1:08 am

    Looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 5, 2019 at 3:36 am

      Thank you! It’s definitely a favorite in our home!

  3. Cindy Jenkins

    September 5, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    This looks so delicious and I always love Instant Pot recipes! Thanks for this amazing new blog! I’m printing out your first meal plans TODAY!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 6, 2019 at 4:45 am

      Thank you so much for your support!

  4. Rachele

    September 5, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    No doubt better than any box and easy too!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 6, 2019 at 4:43 am

      No doubt!

  5. Claudia Lamascolo

    September 5, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    5 stars
    I had no idea until this post that you could do mac and cheese in the instant pot! I am so glad I found this and will try this tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 6, 2019 at 4:42 am

      Oh my goodness! It is literally life changing!!

  6. Ashley

    September 6, 2019 at 1:19 am

    5 stars
    We love making mac and cheese in the Instant Pot and this tastes great every time!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 6, 2019 at 4:41 am

      It’s the best!

  7. Megan

    September 6, 2019 at 2:10 am

    We looooved this!! So yummy! Just made it for dinner!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 6, 2019 at 4:40 am

      Hooray! So happy to hear this!

  8. Tara

    September 6, 2019 at 4:28 pm

    5 stars
    I love how you broke down how to get kids involved by age group! This Mac and cheese looks like such an incredible use for the instant pot.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 6, 2019 at 4:48 pm

      Thank you so much for your feedback! We sure do appreciate it!

  9. Edyta

    September 6, 2019 at 4:29 pm

    5 stars
    It is such a great recipe for my Instant Pot! I loved it and my kids helped me make it. It will be on high rotation in my household.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 6, 2019 at 4:48 pm

      Yay for your kids helping! So happy to hear you will be adding it to your menu rotation!!

  10. Andrea

    September 6, 2019 at 5:02 pm

    5 stars
    Not only does this look yummy but I like all the different variations you give. I also like that you can make this with the kids. They always love to help.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 7, 2019 at 5:19 am

      The variations are an awesome way to mix it up! My kiddos love to help too and are always excited to try what they helped me make.

  11. Dan

    September 6, 2019 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    Mac and cheese is an all-time favorite comfort food. I have never tried it in the Instant Pot, I will have to give it a shot

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 7, 2019 at 5:17 am

      You will love it in the Instant Pot!

  12. Sara

    September 6, 2019 at 6:49 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for including ways to get the kids involved! This was a great recipe for little hands to help!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 7, 2019 at 5:17 am

      You are so welcome! We love coming up with creative ways to get the kiddos involved.

  13. Andréa Janssen

    April 23, 2020 at 2:19 am

    5 stars
    I just love Mac and cheese, so delicious. And so do my kids.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      April 23, 2020 at 10:57 pm

      It’s perfect for kids and adults alike!

  14. Nicole

    April 23, 2020 at 6:17 am

    5 stars
    Love this. I made one this week and didn’t like it probably because of the prestressed cheese. Can’t wait to make this. Yum!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      April 23, 2020 at 10:59 pm

      They type of cheese makes all the difference! Enjoy!

  15. Sula

    April 23, 2020 at 7:04 am

    5 stars
    Mac and cheese in the Instant Pot – who knew!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      April 23, 2020 at 11:00 pm

      Right?!

  16. Chef Dennis

    April 23, 2020 at 9:01 am

    5 stars
    I love mac and cheese and I just got an instant pot. I can’t wait to give your recipe and try in my new instant pot!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      April 23, 2020 at 11:00 pm

      It’s life changing!

  17. Amy Chung

    April 23, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    5 stars
    This was sooo delicious! Awesome mid week dinner option!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      April 23, 2020 at 11:07 pm

      So happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review!

  18. Christie

    April 23, 2020 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve yet to make pasta in my Instant Pot. This recipe looks great!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      April 23, 2020 at 11:08 pm

      This is a great one to start with. So easy!

  19. michele h peterson

    April 24, 2020 at 6:49 am

    5 stars
    The creamiest mac and cheese ever- plus it’s a great way to use evaporated milk in the pantry!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      April 24, 2020 at 8:49 am

      Totally agree 100%!

  20. Shiro

    July 18, 2020 at 8:59 am

    How do I scale up this recipe? Do I double the water as well ?

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      July 19, 2020 at 10:41 pm

      Hi Shiro. If you jump down to the recipe card, go to the servings and click on the number of people you want to serve, a slider bar will appear and you can up the number of people you are going to serve. This will then adjust the recipe ingredients automatically depending on the serving size. Let us know if you have any other questions!

  21. Jessica Formicola

    October 13, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    5 stars
    I’m always looking for new ways to use my Instant Pot, and this mac and cheese looks like the next thing I need to try!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      October 13, 2020 at 5:06 pm

      Yes you do! Enjoy!

  22. Sandhya's Kitchen

    October 13, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for a delicious recipe for Mac & Cheese. My daughter will go gaga on this mac cheese. Making them soon.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      October 13, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      It’s a family favorite for sure!

  23. Katie

    October 13, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    5 stars
    Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try this one.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      October 13, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      Enjoy!

  24. Tara

    October 13, 2020 at 4:06 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum! I love how easily the Mac and cheese comes together in the instant pot. Such fun variation ideas too!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      October 13, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      The Instant Pot makes everything easier!

  25. Liz

    January 16, 2021 at 5:01 pm

    4 stars
    I cut the recipe in 1/2 and weighed all the ingredients. I also used small shells. There was a lot of liquid after cooking and the pasta was super al dente. I put the pot on saute and boiled it. It turned out great! Just a tad salty for my taste but that could because I used extra sharp cheese. It was a good recipe and a keeper!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      January 18, 2021 at 11:15 am

      Hi Liz, we are glad those adjustments worked well for you! Thanks for letting us know.

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Beth, Jill, and Jess of Easy Budget Recipes

We’re Beth, Jill, and Jess, and we’re the team of sisters-in-law behind Easy Budget Recipes!

Combined, we have over 50 years of cooking, meal planning, and budgeting experience. Each of our recipes serves at least six people, and we have broken down the cost of every recipe for you so that it’s easier to budget your shopping list every week!

We’re so glad that you’re here. Find out more ABOUT US!

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