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Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe Easy Homemade Sharp White Cheddar

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A quick and easy creamy mac and cheese made in the Instant Pot with sharp white cheddar for a rich, velvety texture and bold flavor. Perfect comfort food ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni (about 225 grams)
  • 2 cups water (480 ml)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 43 grams), softened
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk (360 ml), room temperature
  • 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces or 225 grams)
  • 2 ounces cream cheese (57 grams), softened (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add the 8 ounces (225 grams) of elbow macaroni and 2 cups (480 ml) of water to the Instant Pot. Sprinkle a pinch of salt (about ¼ teaspoon) over the top to season the pasta slightly.
  2. Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 4 minutes. It will take a few minutes to come up to pressure before the timer starts.
  3. When the timer goes off, carefully perform a quick release of pressure. The pasta should be just cooked, tender but not mushy.
  4. If there’s any remaining water, drain it carefully, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pot to avoid dryness.
  5. Stir in 3 tablespoons (43 grams) softened unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon mustard powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper. Mix well until the butter melts and seasonings are evenly distributed.
  6. Pour in 1 ½ cups (360 ml) whole milk and add 2 ounces (57 grams) softened cream cheese. Stir gently until the cream cheese melts into the milk, creating a smooth base.
  7. Gradually fold in 2 cups (225 grams) shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until completely melted and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more milk until you reach a silky texture.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Serve immediately, spooning into bowls and enjoying hot.

Notes

Do not add cheese before pressure cooking to avoid clumping or burning. Stir cheese gently off heat to keep sauce smooth. Let sauce sit off heat to thicken if desired. Use fresh shredded cheese for best melting. For dairy-free, substitute milk and cheeses accordingly and skip cream cheese. Adjust cooking time for gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, mac and cheese, creamy, sharp white cheddar, easy, comfort food, homemade, pressure cooker

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/creamy-instant-pot-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-homemade-sharp-white-cheddar/