Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Green Chiles is ooey gooey homemade comfort food with 4 minutes cooking time! This is the best mac and cheese I’ve ever made (or eaten). Regular or gluten-free options.
Homemade Mac and Cheese is a comfort food favorite.
The difference between it and the boxed version is night and day.
The only thing better than a creamy homemade macaroni and cheese is making it in the Instant Pot.
It’s easy, creamy, cheesy and fast!
Jump to:
- Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Green Chilies in Mac and Cheese? YES!
- Ingredients in Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
- How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – Step by Step
- Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Is it OK to make Mac and Cheese in the Instant Pot?
- More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love
- Recipe
Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese
Making mac and cheese from scratch isn’t difficult but does take some time.
Making it on the stove top (vs. pressure cooking) requires watching it, paying attention to making a good roux, carefully adding the milk and cheeses.
When making it in the Instant Pot, the macaroni is cooked then the other ingredients added directly to the Instant Pot.
The result is a creamy, rich mac and cheese that’s hard to beat!
A Special Ingredient
This recipe uses Evaporated Milk which gives the Instant Pot Mac and Cheese a distinct richness.
The milk solids are condensed in evaporated milk for a creamier consistency pasta.
Green Chilies in Mac and Cheese? YES!
This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is perfect by itself.
However adding a Mexican twist with some green chiles is delicious!
Choose mild or hot diced green chiles (canned) to add some tangy southwestern flavor to this delicious side dish.
And if green chiles AREN’T for you, leave them out! They are the last step so it’s easy.
And if you DO like those flavors….
Creamy Roasted Green Chile Chicken Macaroni and Cheese is a long time family favorite and a satisfying one pot meal.
Creamy Mini Mexican Macaroni-and-Cheese is another spicy version that is served in individual containers (everyone loves that).
Ingredients in Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
The ingredients in this easy Instant Pot recipe are available at any grocery store!
- Elbow Macaroni Pasta (regular or gluten-free)
- Water
- Kosher Salt
- Evaporated Milk
- Dry Mustard Powder
- Unsalted Butter
- grated Mild or Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- canned Diced Green Chiles (Mild or Hot)
- 6 quart Instant Pot
Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
Before developing this recipe, I’d read lots about how gluten-free pasta won’t work in the Instant Pot. Not so.
Here’s a secret! The homemade Mac and Cheese in the photos IS made with gluten-free pasta and it is perfect.
The gluten-free brand I used for this easy mac and cheese recipe is Tinkyada elbow macaroni.
It is a brown rice pasta with great flavor and reliable wheat-like texture.
How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – Step by Step
For detailed instructions or a printable version of the recipe, use the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
STEP 1. Combine ingredients
Combine the elbow pasta, water and salt in the insert of the 6 qt Instant Pot (photos 1-2). Stir and secure the lid; set the pressure vent to SEALING.
STEP 2. Cook
Select MANUAL, HIGH PRESSURE and using the “+/-” buttons select 4 minutes (photo 3).
STEP 3. Prepare mix in ingredients
While the cooking the pasta, whisk together the evaporated milk and mustard. Prepare the cheese and green chilies (photo 4).
STEP 4. Release
When cooking is completed do a QUICK RELEASE and leave the Instant Pot on the “KEEP WARM” setting.
STEP 5. Finish
Add the butter, evaporated milk with the mustard and stir to melt the butter (photo 5).
Add the cheese in batches, stirring between each addition until all the cheese has melted (photo 6-7).
Add the green chiles and stir to combine (photo 8).
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Water in the Instant Pot after cooking the Macaroni:
- If only a small amount of water, stir it into the pasta.
- Larger amounts of water (can vary by type of pasta) can be drained.
- When removing the Instant Pot lid after cooking the pasta there may be foam. Allow a minute or two for the foaming to subside.
- Add the grated cheese in batches, allowing each batch to melt before adding the next.
- Store-bought grated cheese can be used but may take longer to melt. It is usually coated with an ingredient to keep it from sticking which makes it slower to melt.
Is it OK to make Mac and Cheese in the Instant Pot?
When I originally developed this recipe in 2017, I found an interesting notation.
On the Instant Pot website, I found a video for making mac and cheese with comments saying how great it is.
In the comment section were viewer questions about making macaroni in the Instant Pot.
The comment said doing so is in contradiction of ‘rule #8’ of the User’s Manual.
I checked the Instant Pot users manual and indeed rule #8 lists foods which can foam or froth.
Macaroni is one of them. The foam can clog the steam valve apparently.
I consulted with Instant Pot recipe development experts recipes who claim to have made macaroni often with no issue.
PRO TIP: Clean the lid and steam valve (per the manual’s instructions) after making macaroni. This will ensure no starchy particulate builds up in the steam valve.
More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love
- Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs
- Instant Pot Baby Carrots with Mint
- Jambalaya Recipe: Quick & Easy Comfort Food
- Instant Pot Coconut Lime Jasmine Rice
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
- Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
5 MIND-BLOWING INSTANT POT TIPS YOU NEED!
I’ve uncovered some unexpected, useful tips you’ll want to know.
Sign-Up below and I’ll tell you all my Instant Pot secrets!
Try Pumpkin Baked Mac and Cheese too!
Recipe
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Green Chilies
Ingredients
- 1 pound (16 ounces) Gluten-Free Elbow Pasta (I used Tinkyada Brown Rice Elbow Pasta)
- 4 cups Water
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 12-ounce can can Evaporated Milk
- 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard Powder
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 20 ounces grated Mild Cheddar Cheese
- 2 4-ounce cans Diced Green Chiles (Mild or Hot), drained
- 6 quart Instant Pot
Instructions
- Combine the elbow pasta, water and salt in the insert of the 6 qt Instant Pot. Stir and secure the lid; set the pressure vent to SEALING.
- Select MANUAL, HIGH PRESSURE and using the “+/-” buttons select 4 minutes.
- While the Instant Pot comes to pressure, whisk together the evaporated milk and mustard. Prepare the cheese and green chilies.
- When the 4 minutes has completed do a QUICK RELEASE and leave the Instant Pot on the “KEEP WARM” setting (it will automatically change to that after the quick release). Note: when the lid is opened, the pasta water may have foamed up but it will quickly subside.
- Add the butter, evaporated milk with the mustard and stir to melt the butter.
- Add the cheese in 3 batches, stirring between each addition until all the cheese has melted and has become creamy (note: if using purchased grated cheese it may take a few additional minutes to melt).
- Add the green chiles and stir to combine.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published: March 16, 2017
Claudia Krusch says
It looks sooooo good! I can’t wait to try it! Thank you for sharing it!
Patty says
My pressure cooker arrived today so I’ll be experimenting with recipes. I love mac and cheese – but I don’t have to worry about gluten. I think I’m going to have fun.
Toni Dash says
Yipee! As mentioned in the recipe notes I would try the recipe with gluten pasta Patty. If you do let me know how it works out!
Rachel Ferrucci says
I love mac and cheese so I”m all about this! Totally making this, I know the family will love it
Colleen Cayes says
I would like to try this BUT I know for a fact I would eat the ENTIRE pot at one sitting. Since I don’t want to be growing at the same rate as your son, I shall have to make a few dozen new friends and only make this just before I know they are going to arrive to help me eat it! Thank you for tantalizing us all …
Ann Bacciaglia says
I can not wait to try this recipe. I love my Instant Pot. It makes cooking healthy meals so easy.
Marcie W. says
Macaroni and cheese is one of my biggest weaknesses and this version looks fantastic. I’m sure the green chilies add a fantastic extra layer of flavor.
Kelly Hutchinson says
Goodness! I need to get myself an Instant Pot pronto! This mac and cheese looks fantastic!
makeba says
This mac and cheese looks so yummy! I’m really going to have to check out this Insta pot for myself!
Maureen says
I love the idea of making this, I keep seeing so many amazing instant pot recipes. I am thinking this mac and cheese being a gluten free option and adding in the green chilies is making my mouth water! I must try this!
Pam Wattenbarger says
I love finding unique macaroni and cheese recipes like this. Macaroni is a family favorite but it can get kind of boring.