Why Is My Mac & Cheese Gummy?

Mac & cheese that is overcooked turns gummy because too much starch from the pasta is released. Make sure to only cook elbow macaroni for 4 minutes and release the pressure instantly when the cooking time is complete. The pasta can also seem gummy if not enough milk is added. To loosen the consistency and make it creamier, stir in more milk.

What Is The Ratio Of Water To Pasta In The Instant Pot?

For elbow macaroni, use 4 cups of water for every 1 pound of dried pasta.

Can I Double This Recipe?

Yes, you can double this recipe if you Instant Pot is large enough.

Can I Halve This recipe?

Yes, you can halve each of the ingredients to make a smaller batch.

Can I Use Gluten Free Pasta?

No. The texture is likely to be too soft and mushy or gummy.

Can I Use Pre-Shredded Cheese?

Using only pre-shredded cheese can result in mac n cheese that is stringy. This is because pre-shredded cheese also contains contains preservatives that keep it from clumping together in the bag. These preservatives can also prevent the cheese from melting as well into the pasta and milk. Try using half pre-shredded cheese and half cheese that you've grated yourself, which usually works okay. One example is using Cheddar with 1 cup of pre-shredded Italian cheese.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Name: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 14 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni; 4 cups water; 1 tablespoon salted butter; 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste; 2 ½ cups grated cheese (cheddar, gouda, gruyere, fontina, American - your choice!); 1/2 cup grated parmesan; ¾ cup to 1 ½ cups whole or 2% milk OR evaporated milk; 2 tablespoons sour cream

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe

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Indulge in creamy perfection with this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. This quick and easy recipe delivers the ultimate comfort food experience in minutes. Fresh, whole food ingredients and a homemade flavor that can't be beat!

Total Instant Pot cooking time: 10 minutes to reach pressure + 4 minutes cooking time + instant release = 14 minutes

Author: Jenny
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Pasta
Method: Instant Pot
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
4 cups water
1 tablespoon salted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
2 1/2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, gouda, gruyere, fontina, American - your choice!)
1/2 cup grated parmesan
3/4 cup to 1 1/2 cups whole or 2% milk OR evaporated milk
2 tablespoons sour cream

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Instructions

In the Instant Pot, combine macaroni, water, butter and salt.
Mix well to make sure the pasta isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Secure the lid and cook for 4 minutes at high pressure, instant release.
Mix in all of the cheese, 1 cup at a time.
Slowly add the milk, stirring as you drizzle it in. Add enough milk to give the macaroni and cheese a smooth, creamy texture that isn’t stringy. I usually add 1 cup of milk, sometimes 1 1/4 cups.
Add the sour cream.
Taste, and add more salt as needed. If the macaroni tastes a little bit bland, you probably need to add a pinch of salt.
Set the lid loosely on top and let the pasta sit for about 3 minutes before serving to make sure the cheese is completely melted.

Notes

Cheese: As long as you add a total of 3 cups of grated cheese, you can use almost any combination of cheeses that melt well. Types of cheese that melt well include Fontina, Gruyere, Monterey Jack , American or Gouda. I don't recommend using mozzarella, which has a stringy-strechy texture.

If the finished result seems dry, stringy or grainy, slowly add more milk and stir well until the texture is creamier. I usually add 1 to 1 1/2 cups milk.

This recipe adds just 1/2 teaspoon salt, but it's likely you'll need to add more after you taste the finished dish. If the finished mac n cheese tastes a little bit bland, you probably just need more salt (I usually add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon more.)

This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot.

Find it online: https://www.kitchenskip.com/instant-pot-mac-and-cheese/