This Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese is the food of my people. My people specifically being my children and husband because without mac and cheese, I am not sure they would eat anything other than cold cereal. I digress.
I give in to their mac and cheese needs because it sustains them and it’s easy to cook. What makes it even easier is using my electric pressure cooker!
This pressure cooker mac and cheese uses 3 cheeses, but please don’t tell my family that. According to them I only use cheddar. If I told them I also used gruyere they would lock me up and demand Kraft. Don’t tell your family either!
How to Make Pasta in the Instant Pot
Making pasta in the Instant Pot is really easy. For this recipe I used 1 pound of pasta shells and 4 cups of water. To determine the number of minutes to set your Instant Pot to, you divide the cook time on the pasta box in half. I have found that most short pastas do well by setting the time on the Instant pot by pressing the manual button, then setting it for 4 minutes. When it is finished cooking, release the pressure using the quick release valve on top.
I also added 3 tablespoons of butter and a teaspoon of salt to the pot before I set it to cook.
When the pressure is released, I opened the pot and gave the noodles a good stir and added the half and half and the cheese.
My son is always asking for really creamy mac and cheese. I got you boo.
A quick and easy batch of 3 cheese mac and cheese using the Instant Pot pressure cooker. This one uses mild and sharp cheddar and gruyere!
- 1 lb Dried pasta shells
- 4 cups Water
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 3 cups Shredded Cheese (I used Mild and sharp cheddar, and 6 oz of Gruyere)
- 1 cup Half and Half
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In an Instant Pot pressure cooker, add the pasta, water, butter, and salt. Lock the lid and set the pressure valve to sealing. Using the manual function, set the cook time for 4 minutes. When the timer goes off, turn the knob to release the pressure. Remove the lid and give a big stir.
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Add the half and half and cheese and stir until all of the cheese is melted. Add more salt if necessary and serve.
Cheeses that would do well in mac and cheese are cheddar, gruyere, gouda, fontina and monterey jack. You could even add some goat cheese!
Avoid mozzarella or provolone. They are too stringy.
