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You’ll love how easy and comforting this creamy Instant Pot macaroni and cheese is. It comes together in one pot with simple ingredients and just the right mix of flavor and texture. The Instant Pot takes all the guesswork out of timing, and the result is perfectly cooked noodles in a velvety cheese sauce. Whether you’re cooking for family or just need a cozy meal, this recipe is fast, fuss-free, and full of cheesy goodness.
This Instant Pot macaroni and cheese is rich, creamy and simple to prepare. It’s the perfect go-to for easy weeknight dinners or casual comfort food cravings.
If you love trying new easy recipes, how about 20-minute chicken flatbread pizza, one-pot pasta and meatballs, beef taquitos, or a beef and potato bake?
Why You’ll Love It
Quick and simple: Minimal prep and everything cooks in one pot.
Creamy and cheesy: A smooth sauce with a bold cheddar kick.
Perfect for families: A reliable favorite that even picky eaters enjoy.
No draining required: The pasta cooks in just the right amount of water.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Elbow noodles: The ideal shape to hold the creamy cheese sauce.
Seasonings: Onion powder and garlic powder add savory flavors without any chopping.
Cream cheese: Makes the sauce smooth and extra rich.
Butter: Adds richness and blends perfectly with the cheeses.
Hot sauce: Enhances the flavor with a hint of spice.
Half & Half: Helps create a creamy, balanced sauce.
Sharp cheddar: Melts well and gives a bold cheesy flavor.
Fresh parsley: Brightens the final dish and adds color. You could also use freeze-dried chopped parsley. Sprinkle it on food and it thaws instantly!
How to Make Mac and Cheese in the Instant Pot
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Add pasta and seasonings: Combine elbow noodles, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and water in the Instant Pot.
Pressure cook: Set to high pressure and cook. Quick release when done.
Add dairy: Stir in cream cheese, butter and hot sauce until melted.
Finish the sauce: Stir in Half & Half, then cheddar cheese.
Garnish and serve: Top with parsley and enjoy hot.
Substitutions and Variations
Change the cheese: Try Monterey Jack, Colby or pepper jack for variety.
Make it spicy: Add cayenne or a diced jalapeño.
Use different pasta: Shells or rotini also work well.
Add extras: Stir in bacon, chicken or steamed broccoli for a twist.
Serving Suggestions
As a side dish: Pair this delicious Instant Pot macaroni and cheese with Italian steak, pistachio crusted salmon or honey garlic pork chops.
As a main dish: Enjoy it as it is, or make a charred zucchini salad to go with it. Garlic bread would also be tasty alongside.
How to Store Instant Pot Mac ‘n Cheese
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days.
Freeze: Make sure you freeze leftovers in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, since air getting in can cause freezer burn, changing the texture and flavor of the dish and making it watery. Mac and cheese can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Microwave for a couple of minutes, heat on the stovetop after adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to thin, or else reheat it for 15 to 20 minutes in the oven at 350°F.
Top Tips
Stir well after cooking: This ensures the cheese melts smoothly.
Add cheese in batches: It melts better and keeps the sauce creamy.
Use freshly shredded cheese: It melts more evenly than pre-shredded.
Don’t skip the hot sauce: It doesn’t make it spicy but boosts flavor.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese FAQs
This dish dates back to 1769 and gained popularity in the United States thanks to Thomas Jefferson, who brought pasta recipes home from France. Kraft introduced boxed mac and cheese in 1937 during the Great Depression, selling 8 million boxes in a year. And it’s still a student favorite today!
Absolutely. This is such a versatile and tweak-friendly dish, you can use whatever kind of pasta shapes you prefer. You could even use a gluten free pasta if you wanted.
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Pound elbow noodles
- 1 Teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
- 3 ¾ Cups water
- 2 Ounces cream cheese
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 ¼ Cups Half & Half
- 8 Ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1 Teaspoon fresh parsley, minced, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the elbow noodles, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and water to the Instant Pot. Give it a quick stir.
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to “Sealing”. Cook on “Manual, High Pressure” for 4 minutes. Once it’s finished, carefully release the valve.
- Stir the noodles. Don’t worry if there’s a little bit of water in the pot, the noodles will absorb it (don’t drain the noodles).
- Add the cream cheese, butter, and hot sauce and stir until incorporated.
- Stir in the Half & Half and then the cheese. It will form a creamy, cheesy sauce.
- Serve hot, with the parsley sprinkled on top.
Notes
Add cheese in batches: It melts better and keeps the sauce creamy.
Use freshly shredded cheese: It melts more evenly than pre-shredded.
Don’t skip the hot sauce: It doesn’t make it spicy but boosts flavor.
Nutrition
This Instant Pot macaroni and cheese is a creamy, satisfying meal that’s easy enough for any night of the week. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just craving something cozy and cheesy, this one pot recipe gets the job done with minimal effort. The blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar and just a touch of spice gives it the most amazing flavor. Once you try it for yourself, this will be your go-to mac and cheese recipe.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I rate this dish five stars because it is not only delicious, but so easy to make.
This recipe is the bomb! So flavorful and easy to prepare! Absolutely my new fave. 👌
This is so timely! I have been craving for mac and cheese for days and would love to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing. I am going to have one tomorrow.
Oooo I never thought about making macaroni and cheese in the crockpot. I am definitely going to be making this for dinner one of these days.
yes to macaroni and cheese, i love it!!! I didn’t a few weeks ago but it wasn’t the best tbh!!! I can’t wait to try your recipe.
It’s been so long since I’ve treated the kids to mac and cheese. This post is a calling haha.
Oh my goodness, this mac and cheese recipe is so delicious, and seeing this makes me hungry.
yum! I love mac and cheese. I have never made it in the instant pot yet