Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa
This recipe for Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa Sausage is an easy Instant Pot pasta recipe made with three types of creamy and delicious cheese.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Instant Pot macaroni and cheese is an absolute family favorite that my guys request all time. Since the pasta cooks in just 5 minutes under pressure and you don’t even have to drain the cooked shells, I make this recipe more than I care to admit.
In the minds of my guys, this is a complete meal since the mac and cheese has meat added. You can even add vegetables to this dish.
I guarantee you will get rave reviews with this easy Instant Pot pasta recipe.
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If you follow my blog, you already know how much I love using my Instant Pot for getting dinner on the table in a hurry. We have really enjoyed making Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs since they come out so tender – and in just minutes!
Ingredients
- Kielbasa sausage: May substitute any cooked sausage, such as Polish sausage, smoked sausage, etc. Kielbasa is found in the refrigerated case near the lunch meat and bacon area. These types of sausages are fully cooked and that makes them quick and easy to use.
- Pasta: I like small shell pasta for mac and cheese since the shells are like little cups that each hold some of the sauce inside. For pasta that’s a bit thicker and denser in texture, use penne or mini penne pasta when making mac and cheese.
- Broth: Cooking pasta in broth makes it more flavorful than cooking just in water. You can use any broth you prefer – chicken, vegetable or even beef broth.
- Cheddar cheese: We really like the edge of sharp cheddar with mac and cheese, but mild cheddar also works well. Other cheeses that are good in this mac and cheese because they melt well, would include Gruyere, Fontina, Pepper Jack, Colby or Colby Jack, Gouda or Smoked Gouda.
- Cream cheese: This makes the cheese sauce extra creamy. Full-fat cream cheese works best, but if you’ve only got low-fat cream cheese, it will work in a pinch.
- Parmesan cheese: We like the nutty flavor that grated Parmesan adds to mac and cheese!
- Milk: May substitute evaporated milk if desired, or a combination of milk and evaporated milk. I think adding evaporated milk makes the sauce extra rich.
- Spicy brown mustard: May substitute any type of mustard that you prefer.
- Paprika: I like to use smoked paprika but sweet paprika works fine, too.
- Onion powder: This is an optional seasoning, but suggested.
Cooking Tips
- If your family prefers pasta that’s more al dente in bite, only cook the pasta for 4 minutes under pressure. And if you happen to have an Instant Pot that is slow at releasing it’s pressure like mine is, cooking it a minute less is a good idea so the pasta isn’t mushy in texture.
- Because this recipe makes such a large batch and if your family loves meat like mine does, double the amount of kielbasa sausage.
- Don’t be tempted to skip the first step of the recipe where you brown the Kielbasa sausage coins. Even though comes as a fully cooked product, browning it makes all the difference in the flavor of the meat and this step only takes a minute or two.
How to Make Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese with Kielbasa Sausage
Using the sauté setting on the Instant Pot, add a small swish of oil to the pot. When the oil is nicely hot, add the sausage coins to the pot, browning them on each side; remove to a plate and reserve.
Place the pasta into the pot, then pour in the broth, making sure it covers the pasta by about one-inch, adding more broth if needed.
Lock the Instant Pot lid into place; choose the high pressure setting for 5 minutes of cooking time, bringing the Instant Pot to full pressure.
When the timer sounds at the end of the cooking time, perform a quick release to remove all the pressure from the Instant Pot at once.
Carefully unlock and remove the Instant Pot lid; gently stir the pasta, allowing it to rest a bit, absorbing any remaining liquid that remains in the Instant Pot.
Stir in the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and Parmesan, along with the milk, evaporated milk, mustard, paprika, and granulated onion.
Season to taste with salt and pepper, then fold in the reserved kielbasa coins. The mac and cheese will thicken as it cools a bit. Serve at once.
Why brown the Kielbasa in oil
Quickly browning the sausage coins in a bit of oil adds tons of extra flavor to this dish. It only takes a few minutes and is totally worth it.
Using evaporated milk in mac and cheese
Evaporated milk adds extra creaminess to the mac and cheese. Anytime you’re making a sauce or a gravy, adding evaporated milk really makes the texture creamy and luscious.
Adding vegetables to the mac and cheese
You could easily stir in cooked broccoli or cooked green beans to this mac and cheese. Once the mac and cheese is fully cooked and ready to be served, stir in the vegetables at this point.
Because the mac and cheese is very hot at this point, the vegetables will heat through within just a few seconds.
Does it matter which shape of pasta I use to make this mac and cheese?
Use any pasta shape you prefer in this recipe. I really like using shell-shaped pasta for mac and cheese since it really holds the sauce. Rotini pasta is also good for mac and cheese because the spirals hold more sauce, too.
No Instant Pot? No Problem!
Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa is only a few minutes away when made on the stovetop, as well. I love to brown the kielbasa bites in the pot first to get some more flavor onto the bottom of the pot.
Then add your pasta and chicken broth, simmering as you normally would until tender; drain well. Gently stir in all the rest of the magic ingredients at the end and serve at once.
More Favorite Pasta Recipes for Your Family to Enjoy –
- This easy 5-Minute Instant Pot Little Smokie Mac and Cheese thrills my family to no end and I’m a happy camper because it only takes MINUTES to cook in my Instant Pot.
- Cast Iron Skillet Mac and Cheese is the ultimate recipe, made with heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese. It’s creamy, rich, and decadent, with a buttery, crispy topping.
- Cheeseburger Stuffed Pasta Shells is a rock-solid ground beef recipe the entire family will love.
- It really doesn’t get any easier than this Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes and Kielbasa! This is an easy dinner recipe that is the ultimate comfort food.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pasta such as elbow macaroni, small shell pasta, or penne pasta
- 1 pound fully-cooked kielbasa sausage sliced into coins, may substitute any type of fully cooked sausage, such as smoked sausage, polish sausage, etc.
- 5 cups broth or water
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened and cubed
- 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 1/2 cups milk, may substitute evaporated milk if desired, or a combination of milk and evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Using the sauté setting on the Instant Pot, add a small swish of oil to the pot. When the oil is nicely hot, add the sausage coins to the pot, browning them on each side; remove to a plate and reserve.
- Place the pasta into the pot, then pour in the broth, making sure it covers the pasta by about one-inch, adding more broth if needed.
- Lock the Instant Pot lid into place; choose the high pressure setting for 5 minutes of cooking time, bringing the Instant Pot to full pressure.
- When the timer sounds at the end of the cooking time, perform a quick release to remove all the pressure from the Instant Pot at once.
- Carefully unlock and remove the Instant Pot lid; gently stir the pasta, allowing it to rest a bit, absorbing any remaining liquid that remains in the Instant Pot.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and Parmesan, along with the milk, evaporated milk, mustard, paprika, and granulated onion.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, then fold in the reserved kielbasa coins. The mac and cheese will thicken as it cools a bit. Serve at once.
Nutrition
Originally shared on December 28, 2015. Updated October 30, 2024.