This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is the last mac and cheese recipe you will need, with only 5 ingredients it is the quickest way to creamy homemade mac and cheese.
Also, in this creamy macaroni and cheese, we swap out evaporated milk for heavy cream.
I promise you will make it this way next time and every time. As a matter of fact, you will wonder how you lived without this instant pot recipe for so long!
My easy instant pot mac and cheese recipe can easily be converted for stovetop cooking. But I never use the stovetop anymore, my pressure cooker version is way easier and better than the boxed stuff.
Do I have to use heavy Cream in this 5 Ingredient Instant Pot Mac and Cheese?
No, you can swap out the heavy cream for regular milk like whole milk as well as 2% milk. I just find that this Instant Pot Macaroni comes out way creamier when I use the heavy cream.
This recipe, as is has so much flavor, but if you want to add a little more, you can use chicken broth instead of water. You can also use any kind of cheese you like, Just make sure that you are using shredded cheese and that it is real cheese. A few kinds of cheese I like to use to change up this easy mac and cheese recipe is.
- medium cheddar cheese
- sharp cheddar cheese
- mozzarella
- parmesan cheese
- Monterey jack
- Colby
- Colby jack
- Pepper jack
- honestly, I can use any cheese or any combination of cheeses even cream cheese. You can just use your favorite cheese.
Mac n cheese has always been a homemade comfort food and can honestly hold its own as a main course. And the best part is this delicious recipe is so quick and easy, that with a few couples of ingredients you have made the perfect recipe that the whole family loves!
The pasta cooks perfectly every time. My rule of thumb is to use elbow macaroni for best results, but if you do choose different pasta just set your instant pot for half of the time on the box.
How does Kraft macaroni and cheese compare to homemade?
Before the electric pressure cooker, kraft is the go-to old-fashioned family favorite perfect mac and cheese.
But not anymore, this instant pot mac and cheese with sour cream will blow you away, and you can make it your own by adding your favorites like salt and pepper, hot sauce, parsley, and even broccoli.
What can I do to make macaroni and cheese taste better?
5 Ingredient Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is amazing without adding more ingredients... With that said I do occasionally add some things to spice it up a bit, or to add more flavor to it.
- some crumbled blue cheese
- garlic powder
- garlic salt
- hot sauce
- whatever your hearts desire
For More Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Ideas Made In The Instant Pot, Check These Out!
- Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe with Ranch Parmesan and Mozzarella
- Keto Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
- Instant Pot Cheesy Salsa Taco Pasta
- Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe
Easy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with sour cream in just 4 minutes, with 5 basic ingredients! Yes, dreams do come true, and this recipe here instantly justifies purchasing a pressure cooker! You have homemade macaroni and cheese made straight in your Instant Pot faster than a stovetop version.
Ingredients
- 16 oz dry macaroni noodles
- 16 ounces Colby and monetary jack blend cheese
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbs butter
Instructions
- Add macaroni, butter, and 4 cups of water into your Instant Pot Inner Pot.
The macaroni should be just covered with water. - Lock the lid.
- Set the pressure cook cycle on manual high for 4 minutes. Make sure the pressure valve is closed.
- At the end of the 4 minutes use the quick pressure release method.
There shouldn't be much water left if it drains the water, if you let it sit a couple of minutes the rest will get soaked up. - Either pour the cooked macaroni into a bowl or remove the inner pot and add the remaining ingredients.
- Stir till all the cheese is melted.
- You can salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.
Notes
If you want a baked macaroni and cheese, after the last step above. Put everything into a baking dish and cover with more cheese. Bake at 400 till cheese is melted.
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Nutrition Information
Amount Per Serving Calories 341Saturated Fat 11gCholesterol 54mgSodium 246mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 14g
Angie
Looks amazing!!
Carole
The video looks like there's a tab of butter in the water & past am but instructions don't mention any butter.
Jamela Porter
Ok man, there is a tbs I will get that fixed, thanks for letting me know.
Terra Moreno
Hi will this work as a double recipe? Same cook times? Please let me know! Thanks!
Jamela Porter
Honestly I don’t think there is room for double in a 6 quart. It comes out to be a ton.
Lynne
Am I right in seeing that you do not have to drain the macaroni before adding the rest of the ingredients?
Jamela Porter
Yes! The noodles soak up all the water.
Daniel Thompson
I had a lot of water left over when I opened the lid after the quick release. I drained the water, added sour cream, cream and cheese. It was nice and gooey, but the cheese did not stick to the macaroni. Should I have kept the excess water instead of draining it?
Jamela Porter
I always have a little, and it soaks up. I never drain water.
mary
Should this be a lb/box of noodles? Thats a lot of cheese ect for 2cups of noodles ???
Jamela Porter
Yes
Stephanie
My elbows came out really soggy with some water in it still.. I think next time I can just lessen the water and time,and I think that'll help.
Husband liked it 🙂
Judy
After 4 minutes my macaroni wasn't cooked and there was a lot of water left, going to try to cook an additional 2 mins and see what happens
Jamela Porter
Did it come to pressure?
Anne
We loved this! I added about 1/4 cup of the creams to make it extra creamy. My m&c expert daughter said this recipe is a keeper. Thank you for posting!
Jamela Porter
Awesome! Thank you and make sure you give it 5 stars! 😉
Erica
Can you cut this recipe in half?
Jamela Porter
You sure can, just make sure your noodles are covered and you drain extra water.
Lesa
I also had a lot of water left. I mixed in the other ingredients and it was very runny. It started to thicken up over time, but I would definitely drain some off before adding the other ingredients next time. I see now that there was supposed to be butter in there too; didn't add that because I was using the recipe and it apparently hasn't been corrected yet. Flavor was good though and pasta was cooked just right.
Jamela Porter
Did you use a full box of noodles? The water should just cover your noodles, there shouldn't be much left if any at all.
June
BTW, 8 oz. elbow macaroni equals two cups if making half a recipe.
I like to use chicken broth instead of water. When macaroni is done pressure cooking. Stir for a minute or two; pasta will swell and absorb the liquid. If not enough is absorbed, then drain the pasta, then back in the Instant Pot, add and stir in the ingredients.
Stephanie
Amazing! First recipe I cooked in my Instant Pot! How much is your serving size for the nutrition information?
Barb Merten
Can I use half and half instead of heavy cream?
Jamela Porter
Yes
Brenda Sue
I'm going to make this tonight with diced smoked sausage stirred in after the noodles are cooked.