Can You Make Mac and Cheese in a Big Pot
Make this dreamy & creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese (Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese). Imagine a spoonful of tender macaroni immersed in a smooth, gooey, & rich cheddar cheese sauce.
If you've never tried a classic Macaroni and Cheese made from scratch, you're seriously missing out.
Save the blue box for emergencies and make this dreamyPressure Cooker Mac and Cheese.
Say YES to this kid-friendly classic comfort food!
You'll Enjoy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Because:
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Kid-friendly!
- Creamy, smooth mac and cheese packed with rich umami deliciousness
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is Great for:
- After-school snack, lunch, easy one pot meal…
- Side dish for holiday dinners, gatherings, entertaining guests…
- Big batch for birthday parties, potlucks…
- Comfort food = anytime, any day 😉
Let's start cooking!
Preparation
Grate the Cheese
I know this is a lot of cheese – just treat it as a mini workout.
The glorious cheese will be worth it. I promise 😉
1
Pressure Cook Elbow Macaroni
Add the elbow macaroni, water, kosher salt in the pressure cooker.
Pressure Cooking Method: High Pressure for 4 minutes, thenGradual Quick Release
*Note: Have a towel handy – there's a slight chance that a tiny amount of foam will come out with the steam.
2
Mix Wet Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the ground mustard, Sriracha, and evaporated milk. Mix well.
*Note: Take this step while the macaroni is pressure cooking.
3
Make Mac & Cheese
Keep heat on low or medium low (Tatung Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot: use Keep Warm function).
Give it a quick stir and see if there is excessive liquid in the pot. Drain if necessary.
Place unsalted butter in the pressure cooked macaroni.
Mix well with a Silicone Spatula and let the butter melt.
Pour in the wet ingredients and mix well.
Add grated cheese (1/3 portion at a time) and stir constantly until the cheese fully melt.
*Note: If the Mac and Cheese is too runny, turn the heat to medium to reduce it down.
- Tatung Pressure Cooker: Click cancel and click on meat.
- Instant Pot: Use Sauté Less function – Click cancel, Sauté and Adjust button twice
4
Taste & Season
You will likely need a couple pinches of kosher salt to brighten the dish.
5
Serve Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
For best tasting experience, eat immediately!
Or the smooth & creamy cheese will cool and harden as it sits in room temperature.
Cooking Tips for Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
1. How to Avoid Graininess in Macaroni and Cheese?
- Freshly Grated Cheese: Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese. Yes, it'll be more work – but it'll be worth it 🙂 Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose powder that doesn't break down nor allows smooth melting.
- Velveeta Cheese: Replace mild cheddar with Velveeta cheese. Velveeta cheese acts as an emulsifier to ensure a smooth finish.
- Low Heat: Use low heat to melt the cheese, as high temperature may cause lumps in the cheese sauce.
2. Is the Mac and Cheese Spicy?
Don't worry! 🙂 This Dreamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe has been loved by many kids and it's not spicy at all! The Sriracha serves to balance the overall flavor of the dish.
3. Which Hot Sauce to Use?
- Sriracha Sauce – thicker consistency, more sweet & spicy
- Frank's Hot Sauce – thinner consistency, tastes sour & not sweet at all
4. How to Reheat Leftover Mac and Cheese ?
- Place macaroni and cheese in a cold pan, pour in some milk and reheat over low heat.
- Stir constantly with a silicone spatula. Then, enjoy the yumminess all over again!
5. Is it Hot Enough to Cook the Eggs?
Egg pasteurization starts at 140°F and keeping them at that temperature for three and a half minutes will kill any bacteria. The full pot of Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese should be between 158°F – 170°F and the eggs will be fully cooked and pasteurized in it! 🙂
Watch: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Video
Can't see the cooking video? Watch it here.
Servings 4 - 6
Rate this Recipe
- 1 pound (454g) elbow macaroni
- 4 cups (1L) cold water
- 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
- 14 ounces (397g) sharp cheddar , freshly grated
- 6 ounces (170g) mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese , freshly grated
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
♥ Share this Recipe so We can create more yummy recipes for you. Thank you 🙂
-
Pressure Cook Elbow Macaroni: Add 1lb (454g) elbow macaroni, 4 cups (1L) cold water, and a pinch of kosher salt in Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure cook at High Pressure for 4 minutes, then Gradual Quick Release. Carefully open the lid.
*Pro Tip: There is a slight chance that a tiny amount of foam will come out with the steam. Have a towel handy.
-
Mix Wet Ingredients: While the macaroni is pressure cooking, mix the wet ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Beat 2 large eggs, then mix in 1 tsp ground mustard, 1 tsp Sriracha, and 12 ounces evaporated milk. Mix well.
-
Make Mac & Cheese: Keep heat on low or medium low (Instant Pot: use keep warm function). Give it a quick stir and see if there is excessive liquid in the pot. Drain if necessary.
Place 4 tbsp unsalted butter in the pressure cooked macaroni. Mix well with a silicone spatula and let the butter melt. Pour in the wet ingredients and mix well. Add grated cheese (⅓ portion at a time) and stir constantly until the cheese fully melt.
*Pro Tip: If the mac and cheese is too runny, turn the heat to medium (Instant Pot: use Sauté Less function) to reduce it down.
-
Taste & Season: Taste and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper (likely need a couple Pinches of kosher salt to brighten the dish).
-
Serve: Mac and Cheese needs to be served piping hot, so serve immediately. Enjoy~
1) How to Avoid Graininess in Macaroni and Cheese?
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese
- Use Velveeta Cheese to ensure a smooth finish.
- Use Low Heat to melt the cheese
See above Cooking Tips.
2) Is the Mac and Cheese Spicy? This Mac and Cheese Recipe has been loved by many kids and it's not spicy at all! The Sriracha serves to balance the overall flavor of the dish.
3) Is it Hot Enough to Cook the Eggs? Egg pasteurization starts at 140°F and keeping them at that temperature for three and a half minutes will kill any bacteria. The full pot of Mac and Cheese should be between 158°F – 170°F and the eggs will be fully cooked and pasteurized in it!
*Rate Recipe: If you've tried the recipe, don't forget to Rate the Recipe in the Comments Section. Thank you!
Calories: 621 kcal | Carbohydrates: 48 g | Protein: 29 g | Fat: 34 g | Saturated Fat: 21 g | Cholesterol: 143 mg | Sodium: 511 mg | Potassium: 340 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 1046 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 645 mg | Iron: 2 mg
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Can You Make Mac and Cheese in a Big Pot
Source: https://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/pressure-cooker-mac-and-cheese/