Looking for a quick dinner the entire family will love? Look no further! Your kids will love this delicious Instant Pot mac and cheese recipe.
There are few foods less universally loved by kids than mac and cheese. This homemade version is mom-approved too as it’s a hands-off recipe that’s done in under 15 minutes thanks to the Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
If you’re trying to get your family eating healthier and enjoy more homemade meals, it doesn’t mean your kids have to give up their favorite mac and cheese.
This delicious Instant Pot recipe is both kid-tested and approved.
It’s based on my wildly popular Kid-Friendly Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese recipe thousands of moms and kids have given a two-thumbs up. Except this version is gluten-free and you can make it in your instant pot!
Seriously, homemade mac and cheese is quicker and easier than ever!
The beauty of cooking with an Instant Pot is that the appliance does the heavy lifting for you. For this recipe, you’ll use the sautee function to cook a crushed pretzel crust (trust me, it’s worth the extra step!)
Then, all you need to do is measure the ingredients, add them to the IP, and push a couple of buttons. A few short minutes later, you’ve got perfectly cooked Instant Pot mac and cheese!
If you love your IP as much as I do, make sure to check out these 19 Instant Pot uses that might surprise you.
Tips for Making This Gluten Free Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
These quick tips will help you get the best results possible.
- To make the pretzel topping, add 10-12 gluten free pretzels into a ziplock bag, along with a teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Squeeze any excess air out of the bag, then use a rolling pin to crush it. Alternatively, you could also add the pretzels and seasoning to a food processor and pulse until fine.
- You can use any gluten-free pasta for this recipe. I tend to keep it classic and go with elbow pasta, but other shapes work too. My kids prefer rice flour pasta, but I’ll also make this with chickpea pasta to amp up the protein.
- You’ll need to allow extra time for this dish. Although the Instant Pot mac and cheese will cook in the IP for 4 minutes, it will take about 10 minutes for the machine to get to the right pressure before counting down.
- Make sure to do a quick release. Right when the timer goes off at the four-minute mark, release the pressure. If you leave it in any longer, the pasta becomes overly cooked.
What cheese should I use in this recipe?
There are so many cheeses that work well in this recipe! I usually use a cheese blend with jack and mild cheddar. I’ve also used sharp cheddar, gouda, and parmesan in the past.
How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Let’s chat about how to make this deliciously creamy, cheesy recipe!
Ingredients Needed:
- Gluten-free pretzels
- Italian seasoning
- Butter
- Gluten-free macaroni
- Salt and pepper
- Milk
- Shredded cheese
Cooking Directions Summary
You can view and print the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll start by making the pretzel topping. This is well worth the extra step because your kids will LOVE it!
Crush large gluten-free pretzels
in a large zipped bag with a rolling pin. Then, stir in Italian seasoning and give the bag a shake.
Next, add butter in your Instant Pot and select “Saute.” Once the butter is melted, add the pretzel mixture and stir occasionally while you’re pulling out the remaining ingredients – about 3-5 minutes.
Remove the pretzels from the instant pot, cover, and set aside. Rinse out and dry off your instant pot.
Pour water, gluten-free elbow macaroni
, salt
, pepper
, and butter into the Instant Pot.
Secure the lid of your instant pot and select “manual”, and adjust the time to be 4 minutes.
When the Instant Pot beeps done, do quick-release.
Open the lid when the pressure is released. Then, immediately stir in cheese (you can use cheddar or any combination you/your kids prefer) along with milk.
It will melt quickly.
Spoon your gluten-free instant pot mac and cheese into bowls…
..and serve with the pretzel crumb topping sprinkled on top.
What should I serve mac and cheese with?
Of course, mac and cheese is a meal by itself! However, it can also serve as an excellent side. Pair your Instant Pot mac and cheese with a salad and roasted chicken for a well-rounded meal. Pork chops and roasted veggies also work well.
How to Store Mac and Cheese
Have leftovers? My favorite thing to do with them is pre-portion them into glass containers for my kids’ lunches the following day. Even if you don’t get to it that day, it will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
You can also freeze the gluten free mac and cheese in airtight containers or zip topped bags. It will stay good for about three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, just reheat!
More Kid-Approved Dinner Ideas:
- The Best Easy Taco Pizza
- Gluten-Free Beef and Broccoli
- Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
- Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Gluten-Free Homemade Instant Pot Mac and Cheese (Kid-Friendly)
- Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes + pressurizing
- Total Time: about 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 10–12 large gluten-free pretzels
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon butter
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups gluten-free elbow macaroni
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 12 ounces shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, your choice)
Instructions
To make the pretzel “breadcrumb” topping, crush the gluten-free pretzels in a large zipped bag with a rolling pin. Stir in the talian seasoning.
Put 1 Tablespoon butter in your Instant Pot and select “Saute.” Once the butter is melted, add the pretzel mixture and stir occasionally while you’re pulling out the remaining ingredients – about 3-5 minutes.
Remove the pretzels from the instant pot, cover, and set aside. Rinse out and dry off your instant pot.
Pour the water, macaroni noodles, salt, pepper, and butter in the instant pot. Secure the lid of your instant pot and select “manual” for 4 minutes. When the instant pot beeps done, do quick-release.
Open the lid when the pressure is released and immediately stir in the cheese and milk. It will melt quickly.
Serve your gluten-free instant pot mac and cheese with the pretzel crumb topping sprinkled on top.
Pin the image below to save this recipe for later!
Dennis says
What a creative and delicious-looking mac and cheese recipe! I am a sucker for mac and cheese, gluten free or not. I never thought to use pretzel crumbs as a topping. It’s brilliant.
Erika says
Thank you, Dennis!
Amanda says
I just got an instant pot last month and am obsessed with it! I’ve been looking for a good mac n cheese recipe for my gluten-free sons, and this was perfect!!
Mary says
My child’s always love pot mac and cheese. I was trying this a couple of time at home (Not gluten-free). I am not good enough in cook, so this is a bad luck. However, I want a last chance to make this better. So I was looking for a simple, best recipe on google. Now I think I found it.
Brittany says
I truly can’t believe there is only four comments on this recipe! I’m making this for the second time, my family RAVED about it!!!! The best, easiest Mac & Cheese recipe out there! I always felt so afraid of making Mac & cheese from scratch, it always seemed so daunting. I’m thankful for this recipe! Two thumbs up!!!! Xo
Erika says
Thank you, Brittany! I’m so glad to hear your family loves it. 🙂
Kelley says
Followed recipe exactly and it came out like soup any suggestions
Erika says
What kind of noodles did you use? I suspect that’s the culprit as I’ve made this many times myself without any issues. We use Barilla gluten-free noodles.
Alyscia says
Kids loved it! We used lactose free milk and cheese as well. We opted out of the pretzel topping.
Melody J Wiggins says
What brand of gf pasta did you use?
Caitlin says
Can I cut the recipe in half? And alterations needed?
Erika says
Yes, you can cut the recipe in half. You can make some alterations, such as changing the kind of cheese or toppings, but beyond that, the recipe may not turn out right. Hope your family enjoys this!