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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Published: September 10, 2017 by Mirlandra Neuneker Last Updated: May 8, 2020 6 Comments

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is delightfully cheesy, creamy, and comforting.  Best of all it takes a few minutes to throw it together. We serve it with brats, ham, and roast beef – really just about anything!

A white bowl is full of saucy, instant pot mac and cheese. The bowl is on a white plate garnished with a sprig of parsley and has a fork sticking out of it.

Jump to Recipe

 

When I bought my Instant Pot I was a bit skeptical.  Now it is my treasured baby!  Who knew you actually could cook frozen chicken?  I mean seriously!

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

I enjoyed playing with the appliance because new kitchen toys are fun.  Then I discovered I could make amazing refried beans in minutes without even soaking the beans.  But when my friend Emilee gave me this recipe – well that is when I fell in love.  Frankly I was not somebody who made homemade mac and cheese that often.  I never had a recipe I loved so I didn’t bother.

Now this version is a family staple.  I usually make it when my mom’s group comes over.  Our kids literally shovel this into their mouths two fistfuls at a time!  (Granted we have toddlers) but still – it is completely hysterical!

I won’t tell you to go buy an Instant Pot but I will say that if you are interested there are usually good sales around Thanksgiving.  I’m keeping my eyes open to pick one up for a gift!

Have a great week guys.  Thanks for stopping by to cook with me!

Tools In This Post:  I have gotten quite attached to my Instant Pot.  It is amazing how easy it makes some things!  Most families will find a 6 quart will work great.  I have the 8 quart because sometimes I cook for large crowds.

Looking for more Instant Pot recipes?  Try these wonderful Instant Pot Refried Beans!

These Refried Beans get their amazing flavor from a smoked ham hock, several aromatic veggies and a bit of bacon drippings. I lick the spoon every time!

A white bowl is full of saucy, instant pot mac and cheese. The bowl is on a white plate garnished with a sprig of parsley and has a fork sticking out of it.
Print Pin
4.87 from 15 votes

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

This Instant Pot Mac & Cheese is delightfully cheesy, creamy, and comforting. Best of all it takes a few minutes to throw it together. We serve it with brats, ham, and roast beef - really just about anything!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
Servings 8
Mirlandra Neuneker
Author Mirlandra Neuneker
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 pound small elbow macaroni
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
  • 12 oz evaporated milk
  • 4 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

Instructions

  • Put water, macaroni, butter, salt and pepper into the IP.
  • Use the manual setting to set the pot for 3 minutes on high. Make sure the vent is set to sealing.
  • The pot will take about 15 minutes to reach temp and cook the food. When it is done do a quick release.
  • Add the evaporated milk and shredded cheese. Stir until melted and serve hot.

Your Rating Matters

When you leave a comment or star rating, it means more than you might think. It helps me understand what you’re enjoying, builds trust for other readers, and supports real, tested cooking content. If you have a moment, I’d truly appreciate you sharing your experience. - Mirlandra

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 719mg | Potassium: 176mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 609IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 485mg | Iron: 1mg

A Note on Nutrition

Nutritional info is an imperfect estimate. Please take it with a grain of salt.

PIN FOR LATER.

instant pot mac and cheese promo image

 

This recipe is from my friend Emilee Fortin.  I have made minor adaptations.

Filed Under: 30 Minute Dinners, 4th of July Recipes, Back to School Recipes, Collections, Cookout Side Dishes, Easter Recipes, Instant Pot, Main Dish, One Pot, Pasta, Pasta Recipes, Recipe Index, Side Dish, Sunday Supper, Thanksgiving Recipes, Thanksgiving Sides

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel says

    March 6, 2026 at 12:26 PM

    5 stars
    This is my go-to recipe for homemade mac and cheese. I love that I’m not slaving over the stove stirring but not burning the roux. This one is so simple and delicious.

    Reply
    • Mirlandra Neuneker says

      March 9, 2026 at 3:58 PM

      Thank you! My nephews know that if they are coming to Auntie’s house this will be for lunch – always a win!

      Reply
  2. Suey says

    March 9, 2026 at 5:01 PM

    my kids ask for this ALL the time! we love it and so easy to swap out different noodles

    Reply
    • Mirlandra Neuneker says

      March 10, 2026 at 10:37 AM

      Thank you! I’m so glad they love it so much. Classic kid food made with real food from scratch – can’t beat that!

      Reply
  3. Kimberly Scheid says

    April 7, 2026 at 8:28 PM

    5 stars
    This has become a weekly meal for us. It’s a perfect quick, kid pleasing dinner on busy evenings.

    Reply
    • Mirlandra Neuneker says

      April 8, 2026 at 6:20 AM

      Wow! I love that you guys love this so much!

      Reply
4.87 from 15 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I’m Mirlandra Neuneker

This is a space for real-life home cooking: dinners, baking, preserving, and sourdough.  Everything is taught in a practical, easy-to-understand way. You’ll find dependable recipes, clear explanations, and a welcoming place to learn, and find joy in cooking.

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