How to Make Storebought Boxed Mac and Cheese in an Instant Pot
Making Boxed Mac and Cheese in an Instant Pot means no standing over the stove and no messy draining—now it’s even easier to get this quick meal on the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love mac and cheese, you’ll appreciate that this method makes dinner snappy and mess-free. Plus, this is the easiest way for kids to safely make mac and cheese without boiling water or using the stove.
We really love this Instant Pot method! Just open the box, add the liquids and pasta, then pressure cook. Afterwards, just stir in the cheese packet until smooth.
This is a great shortcut Instant Pot pasta recipe. However, if you’re looking for homemade, we have some amazing mac and cheese recipes you can have on the table in under 30 minutes:
- Homemade Macaroni and Cheese in an Instant Pot is our classic creamy, cheesy from-scratch recipe.
- Instant Pot Rosemary-Bacon Mac and Cheese is an elevated “adult” mac and cheese with fresh rosemary and crispy bacon.
- Tex-Mex Chili Mac is loaded with ground beef and just the right amount of spice. (Note: this version is not the same as the midwest chili mac with tomato sauce.)
Why make Macaroni and Cheese in an Instant Pot?
We originally included a Shortcut Mac & Cheese recipe in our cookbook in 2017. Back then, we were surprised to see it become one of the most commented-on recipes in the cookbook: “Since boxed mac and cheese cooks on the stove in about the same amount of time, why make it in the Instant Pot?”
Well, we have a number of reasons!
We initially developed this recipe with kids in mind. My kids love this method because they can make it completely on their own—no need for me to come help them carry the heavy pot of water from the stove to the sink to drain it. I love this method because I don’t have to worry about the pasta boiling over and making the mess when the kids wander out of the kitchen while cooking.
Since publishing the cookbook, we’ve heard from seniors, people recovering from surgery, and others with limited mobility who love using their Instant Pot to make a quick box of mac and cheese! So we wanted to update the original cookbook method to make it even easier to make!
We can’t wait to hear what you think!
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED
You don’t need much to make this simple pressure cooker boxed mac and cheese! Ignore the directions on the box: you need different ratios for making it in the pressure cooker!
- Butter. We use unsalted butter because the cheese seasoning packet is already pretty salty.
- Milk. You can use any kind of milk you like, though we use regular whole milk.
- Boxed macaroni and cheese. We love Kraft, but a store brand will work too.
- Red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. This is optional to give the dish a tiny bit more flavor.
How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese in an Instant Pot
✅ This easy recipe will work in any brand of electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.
Start by combining the butter, water, milk, and pasta in the Instant Pot pot. Cook on high pressure for three minutes. Then use a quick pressure release and remove the lid. Stir the pasta well, then stir in your cheese seasoning packet.
It’s ready to serve. Or, if you like a thicker sauce, turn on Sauté and continue to cook the mac and cheese until it’s just shy of your desired thickness.
At this point, be sure to remove the cooking pot from the pressure cooker housing. The macaroni and cheese will continue to thicken as it cools. If needed, add a splash of milk to return the pasta to your desired consistency.
Important Tips for Making Mac and Cheese
One thing to note is that when you first remove the lid after cooking the pasta, the dish will be a little separated. Just give it a good stir and it will all come back together before you stir in the cheese packet.
And don’t forget that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. It’s important to stop simmering before the pasta looks totally done. And remove the pot from the heat (the Instant Pot housing) as soon as it’s ready.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mac and Cheese
My family is a Kraft family, but you can use this recipe to make any brand of boxed macaroni and cheese.
If you end up with leftover mac and cheese, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
We like to serve this creamy pasta dinner with a fresh green salad, grilled or roasted veggies, or garlic bread.
Sure! It’s easy to dress up this dish with your favorite toppings. For protein, you can add grilled or shredded chicken, sautéed ground beef, sausage, or bacon. For veggies, try steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets, carrots, or sautéed mushrooms. You can also add spice with jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or taco seasoning.
MORE Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
We love making pasta in the Instant Pot! Try one of these favorites next:
- Rigatoni alla Vodka: This shortcut one-pot recipe is rich in flavor and totally satisfying, thanks to plenty of ground pork, plus it stores well for leftovers.
- Creamy Lemon Pasta: This is an easy meatless meal with a subtle citrus flavor that you can have on the table in under 20 minutes.
- Five-Cheese Ziti: This Olive Garden copycat recipe starts with jarred marinara and alfredo sauce for an easy weeknight meal.
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Boxed Macaroni and Cheese | Instant Pot method
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup milk plus more as needed
- 1 package 7.25 oz Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, or your favorite brand
- Additional seasonings optional, to taste (we sometimes add a dash of cayenne pepper or a little bit of ranch dressing powder)
Instructions
- Add the butter, water, milk, and macaroni to the pressure cooking pot. Lock the lid in place. Select High Pressure and 3 minutes cook time.
- When the cook time ends, turn off the pressure cooker. Use a quick pressure release. When the valve drops, carefully remove the lid. Use a long spoon to break up the macaroni. Stir in the cheese packet. If needed, select Sauté and gently stir the macaroni until the sauce is just shy of your desired thickness.
- Remove the pot from pressure cooker housing and serve immediately. The macaroni will continue to thicken as it cools; if needed, stir in a splash of milk to return the pasta to your desired consistency.
Nutrition
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Going for a triple batch – triple the ingredients, same timing?
I already make mine in my IP Mini. Have also done it in 6qt. I usually double and freeze in containers.
The one I have says to just put the water, butter, mac, and cook for 4 min. QR, and mix in milk and mix. I love it because I don’t have to watch a pot on the the stove, that invariably boils over. This way would be even easier, but doesn’t the milk turn foamy in the IP?
That little amount of milk won’t foam much. Enjoy!
Can you substitute ranch for milk when making boxed Mac and cheese in the instapot? I think it has a lot more flavor when I use ranch so I don’t even use milk anymore.
Hi Stacy – you can substitute ranch, but I would stir it in after pressure cooking with the cheese packet.
How do I make 2 boxes of Mac , Cheese in the IP? Double the ingredients?.
Hi Marlene – yes, double the ingredients but use the same cook time. Add the cheese packet after pressure cooking. Enjoy!