This Instant Pot Velveeta mac and cheese recipe is a dream come true! Let your pressure cooker create perfectly cooked, 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.
Since I’m mildly obsessed with my Instant Pot, I knew I had to create a perfect creamy mac and cheese recipe made inside its magical walls. Here are a few of the many reasons I love this dish:
- Great homemade mac option when you’re in a hurry! So much better than box mac and cheese.
- This is the best Instant Pot mac n cheese you’ll find!
- I cannot even tell you how perfectly cooked the pasta turns out and how delicious the creamy texture is.
- In standard Instant Pot fashion, this recipe turns out perfectly every single time with total consistency. No burned or clumpy pasta and no pre-cooking is necessary.
- Pressure cooking this delicious dish means it is done in 20 minutes from start to finish.
- This easy Instant Pot recipe is the perfect family dinner, a great side dish and perfect party food.
Recipe Ingredients
Elbow macaroni – Replace with a similar-sized small pasta if desired, such as small shells, penne or bowtie pasta. Use your favorite variety of gluten-free pasta for a GF dish.
Butter – Salted or unsalted.
Garlic powder and salt – Simple yet powerful seasoning duo. Use sea salt or kosher salt.
Broth – Use water or broth (or a combination of the two), but for optimal flavor I recommend using fully salted broth.
Cheeses – Feel free to use different cheeses, not exceeding 4 cups total. Here are a few cheese options that have good flavor and also melt well: Mozzarella, sharp cheddar cheese, Velveeta, 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. Replace with heavy cream to create the creamiest mac you can ever imagine.
How To Make Instant Pot Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Step 1
Add the elbow macaroni, chicken broth and/or water, butter, garlic powder and salt to the pressure cooker. Mix well using a wooden spoon.
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 the Velveeta cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese and milk. Stir until creamy.
Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes
- For a touch of spice (if that’s your thing!), add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- 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 macaroni 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 potlucks.
- Add cooked ham or bacon pieces to add flavor and when serving as a main dish.
- Sprinkle with black pepper and salt just before serving.
- A teaspoon of ground mustard makes a delicious addition to the dish. Add with the garlic powder and salt.
- If the mixture is too dry after mixing, add a splash of milk and stir until creamy.
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
- Fresh fruit
- Pork chops
- 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!
Can Mac and Cheese Be Frozen
You can definitely freeze this dish! Place in a freezer resealable bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 4 months. When thawing, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, before heating and serving.
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 these baked mac and cheese bites for a fun and perfect finger food to serve to kids and adults.
- This Crockpot 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:
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Instant Pot Velveeta Mac and Cheese Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 32 oz chicken broth or water
- 1/4 cup salted butter cut into chunks
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 oz velveeta cut into chunks
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Add the elbow macaroni, broth and/or water, butter, garlic powder and salt to the pot; mix well.
- Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 5 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting). It will take the IP around 12 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
- When cooking is done, do an immediate quick release.
- Remove cover and stir. Add the Velveeta, cheddar, mozzarella and milk and stir until creamy. Add more milk, if needed, and serve!
Notes
- For a touch of spice (if that’s your thing!), add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- 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 macaroni 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 potlucks.
- Add cooked ham or bacon pieces to add flavor and when serving as a main dish.
- Sprinkle with black pepper and salt just before serving.
- A teaspoon of ground mustard makes a delicious addition to the dish. Add with the garlic powder and salt.
- If the mixture is too dry after mixing, add a splash of milk and stir until creamy.
Added ghost pepper cheese and the flavor exploded.
Did not make as much as I was expecting!! Would double for bringing to a potluck. Also the cheese ratios are off. I bought non-shredded cheese to the portions specified and shredded myself, way too much.
This is so yummy! I didn’t have velveeta so I used half a block of cream cheese, pepper jack cheese and cheddar for my combo. I lowered it to 2 minutes on high pressure because I use an 8 quart IP. I’ve seen that when people cook in a 6 qt and recommend a time, I need to go down a minute or 3. The mac and cheese was so creamy and delicious! 16 oz of noodles was not enough for my hungry littles so I’ll definitely cook more at once next time.
Can I double this recipe?
Hi Jen, This is a GREAT recipe but it’s not one I would double. Thanks for asking!
Oh my! Is all I can say. Quick, easy and DELICIOUS!
Yes, yes and yes! So glad you liked it!