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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese for the 3 qt! In the continuing “Mini Series” for the 3 quart Mini electric pressure cooker, I’m sharing this creamy and delicious Instant Pot Mini – Mac and Cheese.
Instant Pot Mini Mac and Cheese
It’s a side dish. It’s a main dish. It’s a midnight snack or an after school snack. It’s comfort food. It’s Instant Pot 3 qt Mac and Cheese! A simple recipe that makes a modest 3 1/2 cups of creamy-cheesy goodness.
Since I’m not a fan of reheated mac and cheese, this recipe for 3 qt Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is perfect! Paul and I can each have a nice sized portion, and there really aren’t any leftovers to worry about. That works well for us!
This recipe works well doubled in the larger 6 qt and 8 qt electric pressure cookers, in case you need more servings. Same cook time. Enjoy!
Cooking pasta in the pressure cooker is easy, has a quick cook time, and there is no water to drain when it is finished cooking!
How do I know how long to cook pasta for in the Instant Pot?
When you cook pasta in the Instant Pot®, the time to cook it is usually half the time the package instructions say. So if it says 10 minutes, you will pressure cook it for 5 minutes with a Quick Release of the pressure.
How do I know how much water to use when cooking pasta in the Instant Pot?
I like to use 8 oz of water per 4 oz of pasta. I think it’s important to weigh your pasta, that way you will get the best results as pasta shapes vary widely.
Pin This 3 Quart Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
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Instant Pot Mini Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups Water or Chicken Broth
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- ¼ tsp Salt
- Pinch of Pepper
- ¼ tsp Seasoned Salt
- 8 oz Small Elbow Macaroni (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- ⅔ cup Heavy Cream (or milk or evaporated milk, though sauce will be a little thinner)
Optional (for added flavor)
- 2-3 dashes Hot Sauce (add to pot before cooking)
- ½ tsp Ground Mustard (add to pot before cooking)
Instructions
- Turn on the Sauté function and pour the water/broth into the inner liner of the Mini.
- Add the butter, salt, pepper, and seasoned salt (and any optional ingredients). Stir and bring to a simmer
- Stir in macaroni and close the lid. Set the steam release knob to Sealing.
- Cancel the Sauté function.
- Press the Pressure Cook button and then the + or - to choose 4 minutes (check the package directions of the type of pasta you are using and use half the time it calls for).
- When cook cycle ends, do a controlled Quick Release of the pressure. Go a little slow at first, in small bursts, to make sure only steam comes out. Make sure no sauce is going to spew out with the steam, then open it all the way.
- When the pin in the lid drops, open it up and stir the pasta.Some pastas don't absorb as much liquid as others, so if it looks like there is too much liquid, take some out and reserve it.
- Add the cheese and stir well, letting it melt.
- Stir in the heavy cream/milk. Taste and adjust salt, if needed.
- Let it sit and cool for a few minutes, and it will thicken up. If it looks too thick, stir back in some of the reserved cooking liquid, or a little more cream/milk.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Resources to make This Recipe and More
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I am super excited to try this recipe, but my instant pot has mutiple warning stating that I should not cook noodles using the pressure setting. Should I be concerned about it?
Hi Paige, the company has to warn you for liability and such. As long as you follow the recipe directions, it will be fine. Some foods produce a lot of foam under pressure: Beans, Pasta, Apples, etc. If you add some fat (butter or oil) while cooking, it helps knock it down. When you do the quick release of the steam, feather it open and closed until you are sure no sauce will come out with the steam. That is the biggest mess when that happens!
Sandy, can you please tell me where I can get assessories for the mini pot? Everywhere I look, sends me to the bigger pot assessories.
Thanks
Amazon, Michael’s, thrift store.
Made this as directed but bottom burned . Mini pit alerted me.. suggestions for next time?
Hi Irma, I’m sorry you got that darn burn message. If you made the recipe as I wrote it, I don’t really know what to tell you. Maybe try low pressure next time and it won’t get as hot. I have heard that some pots are getting hotter than others. Also, make sure the cheese goes in after the pressure cooking. If it happens again, you may want to contact IP company. Thank you for letting me know.
I just made this as well and it burned. I followed the directions exactly
Sorry that happened. Perhaps the pot did not seal properly and steam escaped, reducing the moisture level in the pot. Or, something may have been measured improperly. This is a foolproof recipe. Perhaps you can try again.
Would love more mini recipes!
Needed: 5 ingredient low carb or Keto receipes for 3 quart
For 3 quart instant pot, please!
Thanks
Hi Carolyn, I hear you and will be posting more soon. Sign up for updates so you can get notified when I post a new recipe!
We are a 2-person household – retired – so I opted for the mini. The recipes for 2 are just what I need. Made red beans and rice the other night, and I confess, I probably did overload the thing. Thankfully it did not explode or anything, but I will not be doing that again.
That’s great, Betsy! I’m glad you like the smaller recipes. I am working on more of them!
Just got my mini yesterday and this is the first recipe I’ve made! It turned out great!! Hoping this is the beginning of a long beautiful relationship with my instant pot!
Need more recipes for the mini
Hi Brad! Agreed. I’m working on some more. Stay tuned! You can subscribe to my email list to get updates, if you’d like. Just scroll to the sign up form. If you are on a desktop, it’s on the right side of the page.
This mac & cheese is absolutely delicious!
Glad you liked it! Thank you for the review!
I got my mini today. It’s my first instant pot because I’m mostly cooking for myself (until I can convince my picky husband to try something). I was delighted to find your recipes for the mini and am anxious to try them, but I’m wondering about other recipes. Can I simply halve them for the mini, or do I have to make additional accommodations? (Also in Washington.)
Hi Kaye! Or should I say, neighbor! I think most of the recipes can be safely halved. Cooking times may vary, mostly only if the thickness or density changes due to a thinner cut of meat, or less cheesecake filling in a pan, etc. Some soups I leave more than half of the water in, I just go by the individual recipe. Have fun with your Mini!
My mini is due to be delivered today and I can’t wait! I, too, just got a mini because hubby eats a totally different diet so I just cook for myself.
Did just got my Instant Pot Mini Plus and this was my first recipe to try! Very tasty! I’ll for sure make it again. I left it on “ Keep Warm” for about an hour, without stirring it very much, which did cause the cheesy sauce to stick to the bottom of the inner pot. When do you advise using the keep warm setting?
Hi Sue, I don’t advise using the keep warm for pasta in the IP. Possibly using the ceramic coated insert and adding a bit more milk would help if you have to use it.