If you think making boxed mac and cheese is easy, try making this Best Healthy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe!
The first time I made this, I made a double batch so that I would have leftovers for a second meal… Let’s just say we barely had enough, my kids CONSUMED it!
If you love or just need quick recipes to add to your menus, this easy instant pot mac and cheese will not disappoint. And let’s be real here, this is one of the ultimate comfort food meals in most American homes, so why not enjoy a whole foods version?
That being said, let’s jump into talking about the ingredients!
What Kind Of Cheese Can I Substitute Besides Cheddar Cheese?
This recipe calls for sharp cheddar cheese, which is of course our favorite… However, you can use a combination of cheeses, mozzarella cheese, monterey jack, pepper jack, and colby jack cheese, you can even use a spicier cheese if that is your thing.
We found the most budget-friendly way, is to use a block of cheese and shred it ourselves. If though, you are purely looking for a quick recipe pre-shredded cheese for the creamy cheese sauce is perfect. It won’t affect the taste either way.
Best Healthy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. elbow macaroni whole wheat pasta works too!
- 4 cups chicken broth or any broth
- 2 Tbs. stick butter
- 3/4 Tbs. Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3 Tablespoons whole milk
- 2 Tbs. Worstishire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 8 oz package of cream cheese softened.
- parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top adds extra flavor but, is totally optional
Instructions
- Place macaroni noodles, broth, butter, dijon mustard, and salt into the Instant Pot and mix well.
- Set your Instant Pot by making sure the pressure valve is turned to seal. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- When the time on the instant pot runs out, quick release the pressure by turning the pressure valve to vent. Be careful, the steam is hot!
- Remove the Instant Pot lid and give the noodles a quick stir. Add the cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and whole milk. Stir constantly until all the cheese has melted. It might take some time until the cottage cheese melts.
- Serve and top with ground black pepper and or parmesan cheese. We love this dish with steamed broccoli that is buttered and salted.
What Kind Of Pasta Works Best For This Best Healthy Instant Pot Mac And Cheese?
You can use any that you have on hand. We have never tried spaghetti noodles, any other pasta shapes in our opinion can work.
You can find whole wheat pasta, white pasta, chickpea pasta, and bean pasta. As long as it’s a dry pasta it seems to do the trick to make the perfect mac and cheese.
*For Gluten-free pasta you may have to give it an extra couple of minutes to cook. It shouldn’t change the taste of this creamy macaroni, so don’t let being gluten-free stop you from making this for your whole family.
Protein Packed
Protein is SUPER important to have at every meal… This homemade macaroni really helps out with that! Between the bone broth, the cheddar cheese, and the cottage cheese… This delicious mac and cheese is protein-packed!
What Kind Of Broth To Use?
I try to always use bone broth for many reasons, nutrition being the number one reason. That being said, you can use vegetable broth, chicken broth, beef broth, or anything that suits your needs. You can even use water, if you choose to do that though, I would add an extra teaspoon of salt.
What are good sides to serve with this?
Our favorite side dish with this instant pot macaroni and cheese is steamed broccoli that has been buttered and salted. All, my. kids. LOVE this! In fact, I feel as if I can never make quite enough broccoli to go with this meal. For us broccoli that is cooked the right way, paired with this mac and cheese is the best flavor combination…
So, steamed veggies in butter and salt or a salad works great!
Cook Time
This only takes about 5 minutes once the instant pot is heated and the time starts. So, for our instant pot with the amount we make… I make double the recipe, it takes about 20 minutes from start to finish to have your main dish on the table and ready to go!
It is SO good to have recipes on hand that you know every single ingredient and it can be done as quickly as it takes to make a boxed meal, which usually has ingredients you can’t say or trust!
Best Healthy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. elbow macaroni whole wheat pasta works too!
- 4 cups chicken broth or any broth
- 2 Tbs. stick butter
- 3/4 Tbs. Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3 Tablespoons whole milk
- 2 Tbs. Worstishire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 8oz package of cream cheese softened.
- parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top (adds extra flavor but, is totally optional)
Instructions
- Place macaroni noodles, broth, butter, dijon mustard, and salt into the Instant Pot and mix well.
- Set your Instant Pot by making sure the pressure valve is turned to seal. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- When the time on the instant pot runs out, quick release the pressure by turning the pressure valve to vent. Be careful, the steam is hot!
- Remove the Instant Pot lid and give the noodles a quick stir. Add the cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and whole milk. Stir constantly until all the cheese has melted. It might take some time until the cottage cheese melts.
- Serve and top with ground black pepper and or parmesan cheese. We love this dish with steamed broccoli that is buttered and salted.
How to store this Best Healthy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe.
Store it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator, we try to use it up within a week.
To reheat, add a little heavy cream or milk to loosen it up. Serve and enjoy!
I hope your entire family can enjoy this best instant pot mac and cheese as much as we do. Happy Whole Foods Cooking!
If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also enjoy checking out the ones below.
THE BEST CROCKPOT WHITE CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE ONLY 4-INGREDIENTS
BEST CREAMIEST LENTILS AND RICE RECIPE
BEST HEALTHY HOMEMADE CHICKEN POT PIE
WHOLE GRAIN MAPLE PECAN MUFFINS
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