Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese is a simple recipe that is made in minutes. This side dish is thick, creamy, and loaded with goodness. The ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

pressure cooker mac and cheese in bowl with napkin and fork

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food in my opinion. It is creamy, cheesy, and delicious. I love it when the cheese sauce is thick because it blankets the cooked pasta really well.

If you have been following me for awhile then you already know this is my favorite side dish as I have shared a few different macaroni and cheese recipes.

My favorite easy macaroni and cheese recipe on the blog is Southern Mac and Cheese especially when it is paired with a good Ribeye Steak and Garlic Green Beans for the ultimate meal. However, the recipe that I am sharing today may take over as my favorite.

This recipe is quick to make and made in my new favorite kitchen gadget, the pressure cooker. It comes out perfect each time that I have made it and is so simple that I don't need to consult my pressure cooker manual. It is truly a dump and go recipe.

What ingredients are needed for Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese?

ingredients for pressure cooker macaroni and cheese

Uncooked macaroni pasta or medium shells
Chicken stock or water
Butter
Dry mustard powder
Garlic powder
Salt and Black Pepper
Condensed milk
Parmesan cheese
Cheddar cheese

How to make this Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe:

Begin this recipe using a pressure cooker or instant pot. Add in the pasta, chicken stock, butter, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cover with the lid, making sure the pressure cooker knob is set to sealing and not venting. Cook on manual for four minutes.

pasta with seasoning and butter in a pressure cooker/instant pot

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Once the cooking time is up, use quick release, and remove the lid. The pasta will be cooked perfectly al dente with enough liquid in the bottom to create the perfect mac and cheese sauce. Stir the liquid to fully coat the pasta.

cooked shells pasta in pressure cooker instant pot

Pour in the evaporated milk and stir to evenly distribute. Add in all the cheese and stir until melted and smooth.

finished recipe for pressure cooker mac and cheese in an instant pot with wooden spoon

This mac and cheese is thick and creamy. It reminds me of the Panera mac and cheese recipe, if you use shells pasta, but it is made in minutes without leaving your home.

Tips to make the best pressure cooker mac n cheese:

Use uncooked macaroni pasta or medium shells
May substitute the chicken stock for chicken broth or water. If using water, increase the salt amount to 1 teaspoon.
Use salted or unsalted butter.
The grated parmesan cheese thickens the cheese sauce in this recipe and provides great flavor. Do not substitute this part. However you may use freshly grated or pre-grated, either is fine.
You can substitute the evaporated milk for whole milk, however, the evaporated milk creates a thicker sauce.
If you prefer to use all sharp cheddar or all mild cheddar, either is fine. Try using other combinations as well with the cheddar such as mozzarella, gouda, or gruyere.

Want more cheesy mac and cheese recipes? Try these:

Southern Mac and Cheese
One Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Easy Weeknight Mac and Cheese
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

close view of mac and cheese in a bowl by a striped napkin

📖 Recipe

Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese

LaKita Anderson

Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese is a simple recipe that is made in minutes. This side dish is thick, creamy, and loaded with goodness. The ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

4.96 from 21 votes

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Video

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 526 kcal

Equipment

Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

16 ounces macaroni pasta, or shells
4 cups chicken stock, or water
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup evaporated milk
½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Using a pressure cooker, add pasta, chicken stock or water, butter, dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover with lid making sure the knob is set to sealing and not venting.
Cook on manual for 4 minutes. Carefully use the quick release function. Remove the lid and allow the steam to escape.
Stir to distribute the liquid. Add the evaporated milk. Stir to combine.
Add the parmesan cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and mild cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
Continue stirring until the cheese has completely melted and the pasta is coated in the cheese sauce. Serve warm and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Tips to make the best pressure cooker mac n cheese:

Use uncooked macaroni pasta or medium shells
May substitute the chicken stock for chicken broth or water. If using water, increase the salt amount to 1 teaspoon.
Use salted or unsalted butter.
The grated parmesan cheese thickens the cheese sauce in this recipe and provides great flavor. Do not substitute this part. However you may use freshly grated or pre-grated, either is fine.
You can substitute the evaporated milk for whole milk, however the evaporated milk creates a thicker sauce.
If you prefer to use all sharp cheddar or all mild cheddar, either is fine. Try using other combinations as well with the cheddar such as mozzarella, gouda, or gruyere.

Calories: 526kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 746mgPotassium: 355mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 692IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 434mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword instant pot mac and cheese, pressure cooker mac and cheese

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close-up side view instant pot mac and cheese in bowl next to a napkin

Have any questions or comments about this Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese? Please share them in the comments below or send an email to lakita@simplylakita.com.

Comments

4.96 from 21 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese

What ingredients are needed for Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese?