Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe

Name: Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 24 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces elbow macaroni; 4 cups chicken broth (or water); 1 teaspoon salt; 12 ounces canned evaporated milk; 4 Tablespoon butter (unsalted); 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (*(I used sharp))

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For a delicious and easy Instant Pot recipe, give our Instant Pot easy mac and cheese recipe a try! It is filled with all the creamy cheese and noodles you could want.

Close up of Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese in a serving bowl

This Instant Pot easy mac and cheese recipe will easily become a staple in your house! My kids will never turn down delicious mac and cheese and with this simple mac and cheese recipe you will like it too (maybe even more than your kids).

Sometimes I even make this recipe with some crispy chicken and serve it all together! It truly is the best Instant Pot mac and cheese recipe, I’ve had and I love that it is so simple, yet tastes amazing.

I also volunteer to bring this to the get togethers because it is so simple but I always get compliments on it too! It is perfect to make for any holiday and even for a game day food as well.

Spoonful of Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese over a bowl of Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese

Ingredient Notes

Elbow macaroni pasta
Chicken broth
Salt
Canned evaporated milk
Unsalted butter
Shredded cheese

How To Make Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese

Once you are ready to get started making the best mac and cheese you’ll ever have, start by putting the macaroni noodles, chicken broth (or water if you don’t have broth), and salt to the inner pot of the Instant pot.
Then place the lid on the Instant Pot, making sure that the valve on top is turned to the SEALING position.
Now, press the PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL button and set the cooking timer to 4 minutes.
After the time is up, do a quick release of the pressure by turning the valve to the VENTING position and let all the pressure come out of the pot.
When the pin drops down, carefully remove the lid from the Instant Pot and add in the iunsalted butter, evaporated milk, and stir it together.
If the mixture seems to be a little too thick, add about ¼ cup of water in and stir it together.

Noodles and Shredded cheese together in Instant Pot

Then, simply add in the shredded cheese, mixing it all together until the cheese is completely melted and smooth.
Next, just season the mac and cheese with any salt and pepper to your liking, and then serve it warm!

Pouring Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese from Instant Pot into serving bowl

Storing and FAQ’s

Store any leftover Mac and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.

What Are the Best Cheeses to Use In Mac and Cheese?

I tend to keep it pretty simple for this recipe and use sharp cheddar cheese, but that is not the only kind you can use.
Delish has a great list of the best cheese for mac and cheese to get even more ideas on how to change this recipe up easily!
I will say, I find it best when I shred the cheese myself because then the cheese melts together better.

How Do You Keep Mac and Cheese Creamy?

One thing that is great about this recipe is that since it is not simply made with cheese, broth, and butter it will keep its creaminess. The evaporated milk does a great job of adding that little extra touch without overpowering the dish.
Also, if you feel like it has started to dry out, add a little bit more of the evaporated milk into the mac and cheese before you reheat it.

What Other Noodles Can You Use?

I’ll be honest, I have definitely made mac and cheese without the elbow noodles. If I don’t have any I’ll generally use what I have on hand. Or sometimes I even mix some of the pasta up.
I have found that my kids like this with penne and bowtie pasta noodles as well! I find it fun to mix it up sometimes too.

A serving of Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese in a bowl with salt and pepper on the side

Serving Suggestions