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Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe Perfect for Easy Dinners

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A quick and easy creamy mac and cheese made in the Instant Pot using sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses for a rich, velvety texture. Perfect for cozy dinners and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or any small pasta shape
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 2% for a lighter version)
  • 1 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Shred the sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses finely and set aside.
  2. Pour the elbow macaroni into the Instant Pot. Add whole milk and water or broth. Stir gently to combine, making sure the pasta is mostly submerged. Add butter on top.
  3. Sprinkle dry mustard powder, garlic powder (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper over the mixture. Stir gently.
  4. Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to manual pressure on high for 4 minutes.
  5. When the cooking cycle ends, perform a quick pressure release carefully.
  6. Open the lid and stir the pasta gently. Gradually add the shredded sharp cheddar and Gruyère, stirring slowly to melt them into the hot pasta mixture.
  7. If the sauce is thicker than desired, stir in about 2 tablespoons of milk to loosen it. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve warm immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; 4 minutes at high pressure is ideal for al dente. Shred cheese fresh to avoid clumps and grainy sauce. Add cheese gradually off the heat. Use dry mustard powder to enhance cheese flavor subtly. For a crunchy topping, broil with breadcrumbs for 2-3 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, mac and cheese, creamy, cheddar, Gruyère, easy dinner, pressure cooker, comfort food

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/creamy-instant-pot-mac-and-cheese-recipe-perfect-for-easy-dinners/