Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – The Right Way!


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I called Instant Pot customer service for advice on How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – the Right Way! I learned SO much valuable information, and I …

48 replies
  1. Mary's Nest
    Mary's Nest says:

    Hi Sweet Friends, Today I am sharing How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – The Right Way! For more Instant Pot Recipes, including How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot – the Right Way – be sure to check out my playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U21zBjMF6BwDEquDFKVjVsF

    I called Instant Pot customer service for advice on How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – the Right Way! I learned SO much valuable information, and I share it all with you in this video. So get ready to make the creamiest Instant Pot Mac and Cheese ever!

    I was hesitant to make an Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese recipe because I had read on many food blogs that the Instant Pot recipes were nothing like the stove top versions. Instead, they came out stringy and "gloopy". Basically, just a big mess, and that sounded very unappealing to me!! But it made sense. How could you make macaroni and cheese without a béchamel sauce?

    But I decided with the popularity of these new pressure cookers that there had to be a better way to make Mac and Cheese in the Instant Pot. And I was right! I called the manufacturer's customer service line and learned that there are specific techniques for creating a tasty, creamy Mac and Cheese. And in just one pot! And no béchamel sauce required! Genius!! Love, Mary

    Reply
  2. Suzanne Dumont
    Suzanne Dumont says:

    Thanks for sharing. Really appreciate the information on Natural Release. Have watched other videos on Mac and Cheese and all seem to watery using the Quick Release, they then use the saute button or corn starch to decrease the wateriness.

    Reply
  3. Ashley Anderson
    Ashley Anderson says:

    This will be my next recipe for my instant pot I just use my for the first time today and I made chicken noodle soup but I quick release and the noodles weren’t all the was done now I know how to cook noodles thank you 😊

    Reply
  4. Randy Stanley
    Randy Stanley says:

    Nope. Too "betty crocker" ish for me. This lady turns simple things into "scientific experiments". Tries to make more difficult than it has to be. Much simpler and shorter videos to a much better Mac and cheese than hers. Full of herself!

    Reply
  5. lisa harrison
    lisa harrison says:

    I may be asking a question that has been asked before. I have 7 kids and one box would not be enough for dinner. If I want to double or triple the recipe, how does that affect the timings when using an instant pot?

    Reply
  6. D Lee
    D Lee says:

    💕 Hi, Mary. I enjoyed your video. I do have a question, and a concern please ? On the butter, most recipes call for mixing it in after the macaroni cooks. I'm wondering what the benefit is in adding it before cooking ?
    And on the Natural release, I'm not agreeable to this with pastas. With NR it will continue to cook, & your chances of the end result ending up with "too soft" or "soggy" noodles is likely.
    I also would like to add at this time that I purchased a steam diverter, so I could experiment to see if it's a good & safe item. I read that "Instant Pot" company has recommended not using it, as it could inhibit or even clog the release valve. I'm here to say it works very well, and does NOT inhibit the steam in any way, and it's is wide enough to allow for free flowing steam. I would only give a caution to always set it on BEFORE starting the cooking time, and not touch it until you are ready to release pressure ! I will never go back to cooking without it !! I find it very convenient to divert steam away from my cabinets ! I have no other room & cannot use the IP otherwise.
    Thanks, Mary ! (Sorry so long )

    Reply
  7. Kelly Conrad
    Kelly Conrad says:

    Mary, I loved the extensive explanations you gave on using the Instant Pot & how to calculate the correct time for any pasta. Not only that, but the reason not to stir everything after adding the pasta to the water. Also, the natural release explanation helped me tremendously, since I just got my Instant Pot for Christmas & seriously don't know anything. The explanation on grating your own cheese is very important as well. You just had so much knowledge to share & I am so grateful to have found your channel on YouTube. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  8. Mark Farnsworth
    Mark Farnsworth says:

    A great recipe, Mary! My gang loved it! I’ve always used a béchamel for Mac and cheese, but this turned out twice as good as any I’ve ever made. I’m excited to experiment with some add-ons, maybe a touch of southwest heat. Thanks for the awesome video!

    Reply
  9. Alexis Ortiz
    Alexis Ortiz says:

    Thank you so much Mary! I left home at 16 and never learned how to do anything in the kitchen from my mother.. I’m 43 now and have been surviving on the minimal information that I have acquired over the years.. I just would like to thank you for teaching so we’ll. You’ve been the main reason for me to be able to grow and learn so much this last year.

    Reply
  10. Faery Fox
    Faery Fox says:

    I made this for us for dinner last night, only half the recipe though. It shocks me that we can do pasta of all things, in an IP! It came out great. I was sure to use my 6qt this time due to 1/2 recipe. I highly recommend this for the 'Hurry-up-and-get-dinner-on-the-table' evenings along with a quick salad.

    Reply
  11. geoffmobile
    geoffmobile says:

    Great video, thank you Mary!! Glad to have discovered your channel 🙂 I love our Instant Pot and I'm addicted to trying new recipes 🙂 Best regards, Geoff from Vancouver Canada

    Reply
  12. Jennifer Pritt
    Jennifer Pritt says:

    I have had my instant pot for a year and afraid to use! You just made this single mama very happy on this journey to better eating! I can’t wait to try! I am not afraid anymore

    Reply
  13. Lori Mast
    Lori Mast says:

    I find this interesting. I have to laugh, because I watched a video not too long ago where someone said "do not ever make pasta in your Instant Pot ". I love that you actually call IP to ask how to do these things. Thank you….my 11 year old daughter will love you!

    Reply
  14. Chuck Longton
    Chuck Longton says:

    Hi Mary. We love mac and cheese here and make it on the stove top all the time. I am going to do this in my 6-quart Instant Pot for sure.
    Have you ever considered adding spaghetti sauce to your finished mac & cheese? We do that as well. Cheese and tomatoes are a perfect combination in a sandwich, even more so with macaroni. Give it a try and tell me what you think. -Chuck

    Reply
  15. mdeporres19
    mdeporres19 says:

    Hello Mary. I am a fan of the stovetop mac & cheese just like your "sweet Husband" so I will definitely be trying this recipe. Thanks for this recipe and all the tips and tricks. Merry Christmas. ~kendra

    Reply
  16. Karl Delavigne
    Karl Delavigne says:

    The ultimate comfort food 😋. I don't have an Instant Pot but can see why it appeals if you don't have to babysit it and are limited for space also. Everyone must have a favourite method: I have spent years perfecting a garlicky slow-cooked and crusty macaroni cheese baked in my Aga. So I will check out Denise's video. When you get it right, there is no better cure for depression or a bad day in the office!

    Reply
  17. Jean Woodall
    Jean Woodall says:

    Looks delicious. I'll though continue with stove top or oven baked ones since an Instant Pot is not on my list. Gina from Lumnah Acres did some spaghetti in the Instant Pot. Instead of cooking the pasta in the water like usual she broke the noodles up and cooked them in the spaghetti sauce. Gina and their daughter Olivia thought it tasted better that way but Al couldn't tell a difference. Daniel's Christmas break is starting on Monday. Technically starts today but they don't count the weekends. He doesn't go back until January 2nd. Hoping to go to Dad's (Lee's) on Sunday and Monday and then Mom's (mine) on Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm not sure if we'll go to Dad's. Our home phone isn't working right now. Also he usually won't pick us up if Lee is unable to go. Usually he has Lee help him with projects around his house like cutting tree limbs and wiring the storage shed turned into a workshop. Dad had surgery awhile back and there's still a hole in his belly where he connects a bag to hold his urine. He can only life things 10 lbs or lighter. I know for sure we'll go to Mom's and she's closer and doesn't mind if it's just me and Daniel. All of Daniel's presents are at her house. He got a bag of them from school. I didn't look in the bag though. I told her to just bring them to her house so he would have more to unwrap. The rest of our older local relatives we normally see this time of year are deceased so the kids don't get as many presents as we did when they were alive. That reminds me. I should make up some play dough to give to my niece and nephew. All of the kids love it.

    Reply
  18. Essayons Family Garden
    Essayons Family Garden says:

    Love your expression at the end, Mary! Always wonderful when the taste of our recipes exceeds even our expectations. 💖😁💖 I grew up with stove top mac and cheese but would not say no to Denise's baked mac and cheese either. LOL Both versions are welcome at our table.
    God bless and have a Merry, Mary, Christmas!
    Rob

    Reply

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