Kid Friendly Mac and Cheese | Instant Pot Recipe
Kid-Friendly Mac and Cheese is cheesy, creamy, and easy! Perfect for kids and adults!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Macaroni
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (see notes)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups 2% milk
For the Cheese Sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ cup 2% milk
- 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup quesadilla cheese (like Supremo Queso Chihuahua cheese. Can substitute with Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Add the macaroni, butter, salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, 3 cups of water, and 2 cups of milk to the pressure cooker pot; stir.
- Secure the lid and turn pressure release knob to a sealed position. Cook at high pressure for 2 minutes.
- While the macaroni cooks, whisk together cornstarch and ½ cup milk. Set aside.
- When cooking is complete, let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure. If liquid sprays from valve, close valve, wait 30-60 seconds and try again.
- Whisk the cornstarch slurry again then stir into the macaroni, breaking up any clumps as you stir.
- Add cheddar and quesadilla cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Add another ½ cup of milk for a creamier sauce.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- The macaroni I use calls for a stovetop cook time of 6 minutes. This translates to 2 minutes in the Instant Pot. If your box says different, see the next note.
- You may use different types of pasta, but the cook time will vary. Cook at high pressure for half of the pasta package cooking time minus 2 minutes. (For example, if cook time is 16 minutes, cook for 6 minutes. If it says 12-13, cook for 4.)
- Have leftover mac and cheese? Throw it in the air fryer for a creamy, crunchy mac – AMAZING!
Find it online: https://instafreshmeals.com/instant-pot-mac-and-cheese/