Make this Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe right now! Piping hot elbow macaroni swimming in creamy cheddar cheese sauce. Sprinkled with buttery toasted golden breadcrumbs, smoky crispy bacon bits, and crunchy scallions. Indulge in this ultimate kid-friendly comfort food.
For a Classic Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe: Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of the most popular cheese recipes in the United States.
My childhood was loaded with “Mac and Cheese”. Our pantry was always stocked up on the little blue boxes.
As it was one of the easiest dish for me to make as an after-school snack.
But, I didn’t take my first bite of a real rich & creamy Mac and Cheese until my teen years.
Mac and Cheese from scratch was the first dish I’ve learnt to make at my first summer job.
So simple yet so satisfying to eat.
Right after I got off work the first day, I couldn’t resist going to the grocery store and bought all the Mac and Cheese ingredients home.
Where have you been all my life, Mac and Cheese?
You must think I’m crazy. But, it was pure deliciousness, comfort and pleasure.
You gotta try this at least once in your lifetime!! 🙂
Enjoy life’s simple indulgence with this Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.
You’ll Enjoy This Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Because:
- Packed with rich flavors, creamy cheesy deliciousness, and complex mouthfeel
- Simple & Easy to make
- Accessible ingredients
- Kid-friendly
- Ultimate pure comfort food – very satisfying to eat!!
This Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is Great for:
- Comforting lunch or dinner
- Holiday dinner’s side dish
- Gatherings, Events, & Parties (including Birthday Parties!)
Tips for Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
1. How to Avoid Graininess in Macaroni and Cheese?
- Freshly Grated Cheese: Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose powder that doesn’t break down nor make for smooth melting.
- Velveeta Cheese: Replace mild cheddar with Velveeta cheese. Velveeta cheese will act as an emulsifier to ensure a smooth finish.
- Low Heat: Use low heat to melt the cheese, as high temperature may cause lumps in the cheese sauce.
2. Got leftovers? How to Reheat Macaroni and Cheese?
- Place macaroni and cheese in a cold pan. Pour in some milk and reheat over low heat. Stir constantly with a silicone spatula.
3. Is the Mac and Cheese Spicy?
Don’t worry! 🙂 This Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe has been loved by many kids and it’s not spicy at all! The Sriracha serves to balance the overall flavor of the dish.
4. Which Hot Sauce to Use?
- Sriracha Sauce – thicker consistency, more sweet & spicy
- Frank's Hot Sauce – more liquidy consistency, tastes sour and not sweet at all
5. Serve Immediately!
For the best tasting experience, eat immediately! As the smooth and creamy cheese will cool and harden the longer it sits in room temperature.
Watch: How To Make This Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe Video
Can’t see the cooking video? Watch it here.
Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (454g) elbow macaroni
- 4 cups (1L) cold running water
- 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
- 14 ounces (397g) sharp cheddar , freshly grated
- 6 ounces (170g) mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese , freshly grated
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 12 ounces (355ml) evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) Sriracha sauce or Frank’s hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon (2g) ground mustard
Bacon Bits & Scallion
- 4 - 8 strips bacon
- 2 stalks scallion , finely chopped
Buttery Crispy Breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (31g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter
- Kosher salt to taste
Equipment
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Instructions
- Crisp Bacon Bits: Place bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place it on the middle rack of a preheated 400°F oven. Bake bacon until crispy and golden-brown. Set a timer for roughly 18 - 20 minutes. Place them on a paper towel to absorb the excess fat. Cut into bacon bits.
- Pressure Cook Elbow Macaroni: Add 16 oz (454g) elbow macaroni, 4 cups (1L) cold water, and a pinch of kosher salt in Instant Pot. Close the lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 4 minutes + Gradual Quick Release. Open lid carefully.*Pro Tip: There is a slight chance that a tiny amount of foam will come out with the steam. Have a towel handy just in case.
- Prepare Crispy Breadcrumbs: While the macaroni is pressure cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter, 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, and ½ cup (31g) panko breadcrumbs to the skillet. Toast the breadcrumbs until golden brown. Taste and add kosher salt for seasoning.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, beat 2 large eggs and mix in 1 tsp (2g) ground mustard, 1 tsp (5ml) Sriracha, and 12 oz (355ml) evaporated milk. Mix well.
- Make Mac & Cheese: Keep the heat on low or medium-low (Instant Pot: use the keep warm function). Give it a quick stir. If there is excess liquid in the pot, drain if necessary. Place 4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter into the pressure cooked macaroni. Mix well with a silicone spatula and let the butter melt.
Pour in the wet ingredients and mix well. Add in the grated cheese 1/3 portion at a time and stir constantly until the cheese fully melt.
If the mac and cheese are too runny, turn the heat to medium (Instant Pot: Use Sauté Less function - Click cancel, Sauté and Adjust button twice) to reduce it down. - Taste & Season: Taste and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper (will probably need quite a few pinches of kosher salt to brighten the dish).
- Serve: Generously sprinkle crispy breadcrumb, bacon bits, then scallion over a bowl of macaroni & cheese. Serve immediately & enjoy~
Video
Notes
1. Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese.
2. Replace mild cheddar with Velveeta cheese.
3. Use low heat to melt the cheese instead of high heat.
*see above tips in the post for further details Got leftovers?
Reheat Instructions: Place macaroni and cheese in a cold pan. Pour in some milk and reheat over low heat. Stir constantly with a silicone spatula. *Rate Recipe: If you've tried the recipe, don't forget to Rate the Recipe in the Comments Section. Thank you!
Nutrition
This recipe was inspired by the Macaroni and Cheese recipe in the cook book – The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. KENJI LÓPEZ-ALT. His work and dedication to food truly inspires us.
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