Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, and so easy! Let your pressure cooker do all the work. Perfect for a family dinner or a side for Thanksgiving when you’re short on oven space. Evaporated milk makes this pasta extra rich and creamy.

You can't beat the classic rich and creamy Mac and cheese. For a variation that has some spice, try this Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese recipe.

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• Ingredients You'll Need:
• Tips and Frequently Asked Questions:
• Recipe
• Reviews

Ingredients You'll Need:

• Medium Shell Pasta
• Butter - I prefer unsalted so I can control the salt, but you can use salted butter as well.
• Evaporated Milk
• Sharp White Cheddar Cheese - you can substitute a different cheese as well - such as in this Gouda Mac and Cheese! I buy the blocks and grate it myself because it melts better than buying the pre-shedded bags.
• Paprika, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder - adding these simple spices adds just the right amount of flavor and elevates this Mac!
• Salt and Pepper

Tips and Frequently Asked Questions:

What type of pasta should I use?

I prefer to use regular, white pasta. I used medium shells but you could also use a different short noodle such as elbow macaroni, mini penne, or farfalle.

What is evaporated milk? What does it do in this recipe?

Evaporated milk is an easy thing to keep in your pantry. Evaporated milk is essentially milk that has been heated so some of the water evaporates. The result is a dense, creamy, concentrated milk. Using it in this recipe results in a rich and creamy Mac & Cheese.

I've never used my Instant Pot, how do I start?

Using a pressure cooker for the first time can be SUPER intimidating. I recommend first doing a ‘water test’ to learn how it works and what to expect during the pressure cooking process. Here is a great step by step. The ‘test’ does not make your Instant Pot work better, but it will allow you to get comfortable before actual food and ingredients are involved.

Can this be made in a slow cooker?

Yes! I actually have a separate Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese post with instructions but it uses similar ingredients.

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