Instant Pot Velveeta Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

This Instant Pot velveeta mac and cheese recipe is a dream come true! Let your pressure cooker create perfectly cooked and creamy pasta that both kids and adults will love. Done in 20 minutes, this side OR main dish cooks absolutely perfectly every single time!

Original post: March 2019 | Updated: July 2021

Why This Recipe Works

We love a good ol’ batch of boxed mac and cheese in our house, but I’ve been on a quest for years to create a version that far exceeds that easy meal. A few years ago I perfected a slow cooker mac and cheese recipe and I make this version OFTEN, especially on holidays.

Recently I’ve become mildly obsessed with my Instant Pot and knew I had to create a perfect creamy mac and cheese recipe made in its magical walls. I cannot even tell you how perfectly cooked the pasta turns out and how cheesy and delicious this recipe is.

In standard Instant Pot fashion, this mac and cheese recipe turns out perfectly every single time with total consistency. NO burned or clumpy pasta, no pre-cooking necessary and this pot of perfection is done in 20 minutes from start to finish.

Instant Pot mac and cheese made with velveeta is a cheesy, comforting miracle!

50+ Make-Ahead Recipes For Your Holiday Table

Do you feel overwhelmed just thinking about planning a holiday menu? Then you anticipate the exhaustion that comes after the meal has been eaten?

Within each recipe in this ebook are tips for making the recipe ahead of time to open up space for the people you’re excited to spend the holiday with.Sample menus included, along with mouth-watering photos and tried-and-tested recipes!

Recipe Ingredients

Elbow macaroni –Replace with a similar-sized small pasta if desired.

Broth – Use water or broth (or a combination of the two), but for optimal flavor I recommend using fully salted broth. YUM!

Cheeses –Feel free to mix up the cheeses, not exceeding 4 cups and 3 different varieties total. Here are a few cheese options that have good flavor and also melt well: Mozzarella, cheddar, Velveeta (the loaf! the cheese loaf!), American, provolone, Gouda, Fontina, monterey jack, Gruyere and cream cheese.

Milk –Add milk 1/4 cup at a time if the mixture is too dry.

How To Make Instant Pot Velveeta Mac and Cheese

Step 1

Add 16 ounces of elbow macaroni, 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth and/or water, 1/4 cup of butter, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pressure cooker. Mix well.

Step 2

Place the lid on the pot and set the timer to 5 minutes on high pressure (use the pressure cook setting). It will take the Instant Pot approximately 12 minutes total time to build up pressure before it begins cooking.

Step 3

When cook time is up, do an immediate quick release. Once the silver float valve has dropped, you’ll know the pressure has been released. Remove the cover and stir. Add 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella and milk and stir until creamy.

The milk and cheeses work together to create the most creamy, cheesy version of mac and cheese you’ll find! Serve immediately!

Recipe Notes

• For a touch of spice (if that’s your thing!), add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
• For an extra splash of flavor, add 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt!
• Just before serving, feel free to sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top for even MORE cheesiness!
• For a touch of sweetness, replace the Mozzarella cheese AND regular milk with a 12-ounce can of evaporated milk.
• This makes a large batch of mac and cheese! It will easily feed 8 hungry people as a main dish or 12 people as a side dish or party food. This is a great dish for pot lucks!
• Add cooked ham or bacon pieces to add flavor and when serving as a main dish.
• Sprinkle with no more than 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and salt just before serving!
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder would add amazing taste to the cheese sauce!

How Long Does Velveeta Cheese Last Unopened

If you have a package sitting in your pantry and you’re unsure about its freshness, read on for info about how long Velveeta lasts!

What To Serve With Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a comfort food favorite! But what goes with it?! This roundup provides 16 delicious ideas about sides to serve with mac and cheese to create a complete, satisfying meal!

• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Classic Chopped Salad
• Slow Cooker Chili

Mac and Cheese Recipes for Thanksgiving – 13 Delicious Ideas!

Mac and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple! Read on for some scrumptious mac and cheese Thanksgiving recipes that you can make this year! You’ll find a ton of options to choose from in this roundup.

What To Do With Mac and Cheese Leftovers

Delivering you a massive list of 41 ideas and recipes for leftover cheesy mac! Whether you have an abundance of leftovers or just want new things to do with this classic comfort food, we’ve got your back.

How Long Does Instant Pot Mac n Cheese Last

If you have leftovers and you are wondering whether to toss or eat, read this article for information about how long macaroni and cheese stays fresh.

How To Reheat Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese leftovers are inevitable since most recipes make huge batches. Learn how to reheat macaroni and cheese, while retaining moisture and flavor!

Substitute For Milk in Mac and Cheese

Whether you are looking for a different flavor in your next creamy pasta dish or you just don’t have milk on hand, learn what to substitute for milk in cheesy macaroni!

FAQ About Mac and Cheese

Best Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

• Cauliflower Mac and Cheese– Healthify Mac and Cheese by adding cauliflower! Kids won’t suspect a thing and you’ll secretly be adding nutrition to a favorite comfort food.
• Looking for a new way to enjoy comforting mac and cheese? Make thesebaked mac and cheese bitesfor a fun and perfect finger food to serve to kids and adults.
• ThisCrockpot Mac and Cheese recipe is creamy and cheesy and just plain DELICIOUS. Let your crock pot do the heavy lifting!
• Baked mac and cheese cooks perfectly every time with the perfect amount of creamy cheese. Great as a holiday side or weekday main dish. Kids and adults alike will devour it!
• Add pumpkin to your next batch of mac and cheese so it’s more delicious and more creamy. This pumpkin mac and cheese recipe is 100% kid-friendly and done in 30 minutes!
• This chili mac recipe is the perfect marriage of two of the most comforting comfort foods of all time. Delicious way to use up leftover chili!

Best Instant Pot Recipes

Don’t limit yourself to mac and cheese. The list of recipes you can make in an Instant Pot is endless! It can act as a slow cooker, saute pan, steamer, rice maker, yogurt maker and pressure cooker. It can cook soup, chili, pasta, meat, potatoes, veggies, cake, beans and so much more. Here are just a few of my favorites:

• Goulash
• Pressure Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Chili

Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love

• The Best Meatloaf – You need to make this classic meal. It is my mother’s delicious recipe with an added touch of delicious sauce. This dinner recipe will quickly become a favorite family meal!
• Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole – Creamy vegetables and chicken baked into a buttery crispy crust that is comfort food perfection especially during the fall and winter months.
• Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole – This dinner boasts flavor and creaminess over a bed of steaming egg noodles. This casserole is just like your mom’s recipe but so much more! This is a perfect hearty weeknight meal to put on the table.
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – This is a delicious combination of the tastiest flavors you will ever eat in a single bite. Bacon, chicken, creamy alfredo sauce and pasta all make dinner a hit in less than 30 minutes!

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