This is the best Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe with hidden veggies– it’s a fan favorite kid friendly meal around here. Easy homemade mac n cheese recipe ready in 5 minutes! Woot woot!
The Best Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe!
You guys I love my Instant Pot. You know this, right? And I must declare there is no better/easier/simpler way to make macaroni and cheese than to make this creamy cheesy recipe in your instant pot.
OH M GEE.
It literally will change your life, especially your meal prepping life… or weeknight dinner game.
How to make easy mac and cheese in the instant pot?
Making mac and cheese in the instant pot is so easy and only takes 5 minutes! I don’t know if I’ll ever stovetop mac again. Because I legit hate boiling water, adding noodles and then starchy noodle film overflowing on my stove. HAPPENS. EVERY. TIME.
Is this just me or you too?
But ugh, what a mess.
I made this IP mac and cheese with hidden veggies at a cooking demo this week and everyone loved it (even the kids)!
This is no surprise to me because my kids love this recipe too and they don’t know that I add veggies to it. Hey, I’ll take any wins I can get.
Ingredients for easy homemade mac and cheese recipe:
- Instant Pot
- Broth or Water
- Elbow Mac (Regular- don’t use gluten free in this recipe!)
- Butter
- Favorite shredded cheese
- Milk
- Pureed veggies (carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin, cauliflower, etc.) Shredded zucchini could also work nicely in this recipe, if you don’t mind a little green color.
The first time I made mac and cheese in the instant pot, I was amazed at how all you have to do is add broth, butter and macaroni noodles to the IP and cook them for 5 minutes on high pressure. WHAT????!
And the cool part is you don’t need to drain anything… this recipe absorbs almost all of the liquid while cooking and leaves you with a little starchy pasta water that’s perfect for blending in the cheese and veggies.
Stir in a little extra milk and BAM!
Oh and about that gluten free noodles part, don’t do it! I’ve tried GF noodles in this recipe and only cooked them for 1 minute and it was mush.
The gluten free noodles I’ve tested in this recipe didn’t work well under pressure. FYI. You’ve been forewarned. And if you do find a remedy for the GF pasta option in the IP, LMK… pretty please?
Super easy homemade mac and cheese.
I’m so in love.
This is one of those recipes I’ll make on a weeknight when the kids are in that hairy hour right before bath time. I have been doing a little routine of getting on my Peloton bike right after nap time and letting them veg out to the TV for a bit while I ride and then quickly prep dinner before bath time.
It’s like a golden hour but can also be super fussy for them too. SOOO I need fast recipes which is why I just adore my instant pot.
Instant pot mac and cheese FTW.
More Kid Friendly Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Instant Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice
Easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken and Broccoli
And if you love cauliflower, check out my recipes on MyFitnessPal.
Print
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 16 oz macaroni noodles
- 4 cups bone broth (or regular)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup puréed pumpkin, butternut squash or cauliflower
- 3 cups shredded cheddar or favorite cheese
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Place noodles, broth, butter and pepper in instant pot. Cover and cook on manual, high pressure for 5 minutes; quick release.
- Stir noodles and stir in puréed veggie. Stir in cheese until fully melted and stir in milk.
Notes
Nutrition calculated based with bone broth, canned pumpkin, and 2% milk.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 400 calories
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 265mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 49mg
Keywords: Instant Pot, Mac and Cheese, Veggies, Easy, Healthy, Pumpkin, Cauliflower
Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, registered dietitian and millennial mom of two active and hungry boys. Here on Love & Zest, you’ll find (mostly) healthy recipes to fuel the whole family and real life stories of modern motherhood. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!
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What a great family favorite recipe! So cheesy and delicious; the perfect comfort food!
★★★★★
This looks so easy. I’m going to give it a try tonight. Thanks for posting it!
★★★★★
I’ll never make the boxed stuff again after trying this Instant Pot version!
★★★★★
Delish and so easy! Who needs that boxed stuff?
★★★★★