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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Modified: Apr 16, 2024 · Published: Oct 10, 2019 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese

Jump to Recipe

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
  1. Uncooked macaroni pasta or medium shells
  2. Chicken stock or water
  3. Butter
  4. Dry mustard powder
  5. Garlic powder
  6. Salt and Black Pepper
  7. Condensed milk
  8. Parmesan cheese
  9. 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 in a white bowl

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

YouTube video
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
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
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!
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.

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Comments

    4.96 from 21 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Adri Ruff says

    October 23, 2019 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to make this! One of my favorite comfort foods.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      November 02, 2019 at 2:47 pm

      Yes!! It is the best comfort food. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  2. Aline says

    October 21, 2019 at 12:25 am

    5 stars
    This recipe was great times infinity!! My family went nuts - Thank you!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 21, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      Yay!! I'm so glad it was a hit!

      Reply
  3. SHANIKA says

    October 20, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    5 stars
    I've never tried making Mac + Cheese in a pressure cooker, but I could only imagine how tender and creamy this recipe is!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 21, 2019 at 2:49 pm

      It is so creamy and tender!

      Reply
  4. Jazz says

    October 20, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    5 stars
    Mac & cheese in minutes?? This is everything!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 21, 2019 at 2:48 pm

      Yes!! It is so convenient!

      Reply
  5. Jacynthe says

    October 20, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    Can I cut this recipe in half and not change any of the Instant Pot settings? Or will Instant Pot settings change because there is half the food inside?

    Thanks in advance

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 21, 2019 at 2:46 pm

      Yes, you sure can. I've tried it with less shell pasta with no problem.

      Reply
  6. Kenya Rae says

    October 19, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    5 stars
    I am all the way here for this!! Comfort food season is indeed upon us.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 19, 2019 at 2:14 pm

      YES!!! Bring on all the comfort food recipes!!

      Reply
  7. Mila Claqrke Buckley says

    October 19, 2019 at 10:15 am

    5 stars
    This looks incredible! So creamy and cheesy!!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 19, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      Thank you! Yes and yes!

      Reply
  8. Katrina Adams says

    October 19, 2019 at 8:22 am

    5 stars
    The chicken broth definitely makes me want to try this recipe!! Thank you for sharing!!!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 19, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      It gives it so much more flavor than using water!

      Reply
  9. Tynia says

    October 18, 2019 at 9:14 pm

    5 stars
    This mac and cheese looks delicious and so easy. I need to stop playing and get a pressure cooker.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 19, 2019 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you! Yes, it is so worth it! Check out the Black Friday deals for it.

      Reply
  10. Tamara J. says

    October 16, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    5 stars
    This is definitely a great “go-to” side dish. I love pulling out the pressure cooker for tasty quick food!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 17, 2019 at 10:47 am

      I agree it has become my new favorite way to cook!

      Reply
  11. Marta says

    October 16, 2019 at 3:41 pm

    5 stars
    Ooooh! I love that we're doing this in a pressure cooker! Now I have a last minute go-to for those busiest of days.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 17, 2019 at 10:46 am

      Yes Marta! It is perfect for busy days

      Reply
  12. Allen paul says

    October 10, 2019 at 7:33 pm

    5 stars
    In love with this recipe. It’s fast and easy to make

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 13, 2019 at 9:31 am

      Thank you Paul!

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me →

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