by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Macaroni & cheese isn’t hard to make on the stovetop, but it’s TWICE as easy to make in a pressure cooker. And it cooks in less than half the time too! 

Instant Pot boxed macaroni & cheese cooks in only 4 minutes with 1 minute natural release.

How Is Boxed Mac & Cheese Better With A Pressure Cooker?

Adults & kids alike love cheesy creamy mac & cheese! Benefits of making boxed macaroni & cheese in a pressure cooker are:

• • • Faster cook time – just 4 minutes!

    • No risk of messy pasta boil over. (I swear, EVERY TIME for me!)

    • Not  wasting any of my homemade broth!

    • One-Pot convenience – no strainer needed

How Many Servings In A Box Of Mac & Cheese?

Each box makes 3 approximately one-cup servings. I always make two boxes at a time so there’s 6 cups of mac & cheese in this recipe! 

If you’re only making one box, just cut the ingredients in half, the cook time is the same. But I say… Go ahead & make TWO!

How Many Cups Of Water For Instant Pot Mac & Cheese?

Since I always make two boxes of mac & cheese at a time, I use 2¼ cups of water or broth. The liquid is divided, some under the pasta, some on top.

NOTE: If you’re only making one box you’ll need 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of water/broth.

Ingredients To Make Mac & Cheese In An Instant Pot

The ingredients to cook TWO boxes of Mac & Cheese in a pressure cooker are below. (If you’re only wanting a single box just cut the ingredients in half)

• • • 2 boxes mac & cheese

    • 2¼ cups broth or water, divided

    • 3 tablespoons butter

    • 1 cup milk blended with contents of the dry cheese packets

How To Make TWO Boxes Of Mac & Cheese In An Instant Pot

Making Instant Pot Mac & Cheese is easy!

• • • Pour 1¼ cup of broth or water in the bottom of the Instant Pot liner.

    • Remove the dry cheese powder packets & set aside. Spread elbow macaroni evenly over the bottom. DON’T STIR.

    • Add 3 tablespoons of butter and the other cup of water on top. DON’T STIR.

    • Lock pressure cooker lid in place and place lever to ‘sealing’.

    • Cook on high pressure 4 minutes. (then allow 1 minute natural release)

    • Do quick release and stir to separate pasta.

    • Stir together 1 cup of milk and the 2 dry cheese packets and pour over pasta. Stir to combine.

    • Serve hot. 

NOTE: The pasta will continue to soak up moisture as it cools. So if it’s not as thick as you like, give it a few minutes to soak up more liquid.

Flavor Additions: How To Jazz Up Plain Mac & Cheese

If you’re wanting to jazz up the flavor of plain mac & cheese or make it more hearty so you can serve it as an entrée instead of just a side, there are lots of easy & fun add-in’s:

• • • ¼ cup chopped seeded roasted hatch chile for a spicy twist. (our favorite)

    • Add drained cans of tuna & peas/carrots.

    • Stir in a can of chili for chili mac flavor.

    • Add frozen or steamed broccoli and cooked cubed chicken.

    • Stir in chopped kielbasa sausage.

    • Add sliced cooked hotdogs – a favorite for the kids!

    • Stir in browned Taco-Seasoned ground beef (or taco-Tuesday meat leftovers!)

    • Mozzarella cheese & sliced pepperoni make a fun pizza flavor.

    • Chunks of smoked ham & steamed broccoli are delicious.

    • Stir in hot sauce or salsa (the hotter the better for me!)

So go ahead & cook up a couple of boxes of mac & cheese in your pressure cooker. It’s EASY!

Did you make this Instant Pot Boxed Macaroni & Cheese? Please rate the recipe in your comment below!

~TxH~

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