Instant Pot Boxed Kraft Macaroni And Cheese

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This recipe takes boxed Macaroni N Cheese and makes it beyond easy. I know, I know… you’re thinking, “How could Kraft Macaroni N Cheese get any easier?” With the Instant Pot, of course!

Instant Pot Kraft Mac N Cheese

For grown-up tastes, I have an excellent recipe of Instant Pot mac n cheese from scratch with real cheese.  But if you got picky kids who demands the boxed Kraft macaroni and cheese, you can cook it in the Instant Pot too :)  The advantage of using the Instant Pot over the stove top is that you don’t need to drain it and also you can walk away without the fear of burning down your kitchen!

In fact, Instant Pot is the only way I cook pasta from now on.  Check out my detailed tutorial on how to cook pasta in the Instant Pot – once you try it, you’ll never go back to the pot of boiling water!

How To Cook Boxed Mac and Cheese in Instant Pot

To make Kraft Macaroni N Cheese in your Instant Pot, you put macaroni and water in the Instant Pot, close it, and turn it on. Cook for 2 minutes on High pressure, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, than quick release the remaining pressure.  Add milk, butter and the contents of the cheese packet, stir and you are done.  That is it. I promised simplicity! No need for boiling and straining noodles. No need to pull out your pots and pans and strainer. Start to finish, this recipe takes only ten minutes and uses just your Instant Pot. Bonus, this take on classic Kraft Mac N Cheese virtually eliminates cleanup. That is something everyone can get excited about!

macaroni and cheese

Another great benefit to this method? You can cook several boxes of Kraft Macaroni N Cheese all at once! A great option when you are feeding a crowd! If you’re cooking more than one box, you’ll just need to add enough water to cover the macaroni. Then add ¼ cup of milk and four tablespoons of butter per box and all the cheese packets and you are in business.

Instant Pot boxed mac and cheese recipe

Kraft Macaroni N Cheese is a childhood staple meal and this method for cooking it makes it faster and easier than ever. Is there anything an Instant Pot can’t improve? Just when I thought there was no way to make cheesy, buttery macaroni and cheese from a box better, my Instant Pot made life simpler.

Maybe you are a parent and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a favorite for your family? Or, maybe you just love to enjoy it solo. Whatever your fancy, this easy method for preparing mac n cheese is as delicious as the traditional stovetop method, but faster, easier, and requires less cleanup. That means more time for all things that you have in your busy day. It takes the time out of dinner preparation and tastes great.

Kraft mac and cheese cooked in the Instant Pot

If you like this Instant Pot boxed mac and cheese, you will also like these easy Instant Pot recipes:

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Instant Pot Boxed Kraft Macaroni N Cheese

Instant Pot is the easiest way to cook boxed Kraft macaroni n cheese! You don't even need to drain it! Dump box contents into the Instant pot, add water, butter and milk and press the button!
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot, pasta
Cooking Method: Instant Pot
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 3
Calories: 250kcal

Recipe Video

Ingredients

  • 1 box (7.25 oz) Kraft macaroni & cheese
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 4 tbsp butter

Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)

Instructions

  • Put macaroni and water in the Instant Pot.  Close the lid and turn the vent to a Sealing position.  Press the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" button and set the time to 2 minutes on High pressure.
  • When it's done cooking, let the pressure release naturally (NR) for 5 minutes, then quick release (QR) the remaining steam. 
  • Open the Instant Pot and add milk, butter and the contents of the cheese packet. Mix the macaroni and cheese with a spoon so the cheese powder turns into sauce and the sauce is evenly distributed.

Notes

You can cook several boxes of mac n cheese at once.  If using multiple boxes, add just enough water to cover the macaroni.
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Nutrition

Serving: 2.5oz | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 570mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1.8mg
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4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I was looking for this very thing; had two boxes of Kraft macaroni and cheese mix and no energy to pull out the pot, etc. I had already made regular mac n’ cheese in my Crockpot Express, so I thought it was possible. Thanks for posting this recipe.

5 from 3 votes

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