Stir it all together to make sure you aren’t left with clumps of seasonings. Toss is all in. Add the elbow macaroni, water (or stock), butter, slat and mustard powder to the instant pot.How to make the best instant pot mac and cheese: regular milk or half and half: I know a lot of people also like to use evaporated milk and though it does work well in a pinch, I find the flavor of the Mac and cheese is much better with half and half!.The variations on are endless on this recipe! Here are my suggestions: Sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack, fontina, provolone, parmesan cheese, havarti, gouda, and gruyere.If you’re making this for kids, one kind of cheese will do!
The complexity of the Mac and cheese is much more pleasing that way! I like to do a blend of nutty and stretchy cheeses. Shredded cheese: the kind of cheese you use is entirely up to you! I do suggest using a blend of different cheeses for the best flavor if you are making this for adults.Ground mustard: this adds a bit more complexity to the mac and cheese.Uncooked elbow macaroni: You could also use shells or other small shapes of pasta if that’s what you have on hand.Consider adding cooked chicken or sausage, crumbled bacon, diced ham, chopped scallions, sauteed mushrooms, diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or sauteed onions and mushrooms.Ingredients for instant pot Mac and cheese: Variations: There are so many great ways to dress up your mac and cheese. Jamie’s Spice Mix is delicious as is Everything Seasoning. You can leave it with just salt and pepper or add a favorite spice blend. Salt and black pepper – Season according to your tastes. They all taste delicious in Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. Feel free to experiment with different styles of cheese, such as pepper jack, Havarti, or dill Havarti. Sharp cheddar cheese – Sharp cheeses have more flavor which means you can use less and reduce the cost of the dish. It’s got a higher fat content which makes it less sour tasting. Wanting to reduce the fat content and increase the protein, I started playing with Greek yogurt as a substitute. I found that we liked this just as well, particularly when I use 5% Fage Greek yogurt. Plain Greek yogurt (fuller fat is best) – I adapted this recipe from my casserole-style recipe that calls for sour cream. Water – I use water for my Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, but if you want more flavor, you can use low sodium chicken broth. Whatever you use, be sure to read the noodle packaging to adjust the cook time accordingly. Here’s what you’ll need to make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese:Įlbow macaroni – I prefer using the large elbow macaroni, but you can also use another tube pasta or your favorite whole wheat pasta. It makes for a great Lunchtime Meal Prep that’s ready in a flash. When I crunched the numbers, I found out that the entire meal costs just a few dollars to feed my whole family. Often I’ll serve this on its own with a quick side salad. I’ve been slow to adopt the electric pressure cooker, but I’ve enjoyed adapting our favorite recipes to be budget-friendly pressure cooker recipes. I feel like I’m not doing anything! Seriously, making Instant Pot Mac and Cheese was a revelation to me. This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is the perfect meatless meal or side dish for meat and makes dinner prep so incredibly easy – just one pot to wash. This one wins the prize for easiest, most hands-free mac and cheese recipe ever! Imagine no heavy pot of water to drain, no gunky colander to wash! Everything cooks in the same pot for easy prep and simple clean up, making for an ideal side dish or meatless main. All are delicious and easy on the budget, but this one? I’ve got my pet recipes, of course - Baked Mac and Cheese, this easy, creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese, and my mac with an Italian twist, Alfredo Mac and Cheese. While I do have a nostalgic affection for boxed macaroni cheese dinner, I well know that homemade mac is so much better than anything that comes in a box. Mac and Cheese is pretty easy to make, right? Open the blue box, dump the noodles in boiling water, and mix the dry powder with milk and butter….