Gluten Free Instant Pot Mac And Cheese Recipe

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Your whole family will love this creamy and cheesy gluten-free macaroni and cheese recipe that is quick and easy to prepare on busy nights.

Instant Pot Mac n Cheese has to be one of the easiest recipes that is both simple to cook and full of cheesy goodness. In fact since making macaroni and cheese in the Instant Pot, we no longer cook this tasty pasta dish any other way! There’s no need.

This Macaroni and cheese dish can be made with regular pasta or Gluten Free pasta and the recipe comes out perfect every time! With just a few ingredients you’ll be loving this Smoked Gouda mac n cheese recipe too!

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WHAT IS SMOKED GOUDA?

Gouda is a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk. Smoked Gouda has a aromatic, sweet, creamy and nutty flavor. The deep flavor of Gouda makes it perfect for cooking and adding to dishes such as macaroni and cheese along with other cheesy recipes such as Broccoli and Cheese Soup or this French Onion Soup.

Smoked Gouda makes this meal flavoursome, however if you have another favourite type of cheese, simply switch the smoked gouda cheese for your preference and this best macaroni dish will still come out delicious!

What Is The Best Gluten Free Pasta To Use?

Wondering which is the best gluten free pasta for Macaroni Cheese?

For this recipe I used gluten free elbow pasta, however you can substitute the pasta for a different type if desired. It is best to choose a gluten free pasta that can cook well in boiling water to achieve the best results.

When choosing gluten free pasta to make the best macaroni and cheese I recommend one of the following brands:

• Rummo Italian Pasta Gluten Free Elbows
• Barilla Gluten Free Elbows.

Any of these gluten free varieties will work well. Whether you use a different brand or stick to the one I recommend, this tasty macaroni and cheese recipe will come out perfectly every time!

Easy Mac n Cheese For The Whole Family

When your’e looking for a simple and easy recipe that the whole family will enjoy then mac n cheese is a great option. Most kids will love this easy mac n cheese recipe. It’s kid friendly and of course, Gluten free when using your gluten free pasta. you can even mix this up by adding some frozen veg to the dish.

Fussy eaters will love this recipe and it’s a doozy for the whole family

RELATED POST: GLUTEN FREE INSTANT POT NUTELLA BITES

Ingredients For The Best Instant Pot Macaroni And Cheese

• 1 (16 ounce) elbow macaroni pasta – boxed or in a packet. (Gluten Free – If required)
• 4 cups water
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground mustard
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 16 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded
• 2 cups monterey jack pre-shredded cheese
• 8 ounces white cheddar, shredded, optional

Busy Now? Why Not Pin This Delicious Mac and Cheese Recipe For Later!

HOW TO cook macaroni AND CHEESE in the instant pot

Place the macaroni, water, butter, ground dry mustard, and smoked paprika into your Instant pot. Stir well and season with salt.

Cover the Instant pot and set the valve to “sealing.”

Program the Instant Pot using the “manual function” or “pressure cook” function for 4 minutes.

When the cooking cycle is completed, perform a quick release of the pressure. Carefully removing the lid once the steam has completely released.

What Is Quick Release?

Quick release means to simply release the pressure and allow the steam to vent immediately. There is no waiting. Once the steam is released the instant pot will beep and the locking mechanism will unlock so the lid can be removed.

Macaroni Cheese Cooking Tip

Do not overfill the pot with pasta. I recommend only using 16 Oz of macaroni for this recipe, if you use more than this it will likely result in a mushy pasta as it will be overcrowded and the extra liquid will cause the pasta to release too much starch.

Cheese sauce For Macaroni And Cheese

To make the best Instant pot Mac n Cheese, you’ll want to add the cheese and milk whilst the macaroni is still really hot. You don’t need to make a separate cheese sauce, in fact by adding the ingredients to the instant pot whilst the macaroni is still hot, you can make the cheesy, gooey macaroni the family loves. This also keeps the cheese sauce gluten free as there is no need to add flour or thickeners which are no good for anyone with celiac requirements.

Adding The Cheese and Milk To Cooked Macaroni

Stir in the evaporated canned milk, smoke gouda, and monterey jack. If using, also add the white cheddar. Stir until the cheeses are melted. The sauce will thicken as it rests.

Adding Milk And Cheese Whilst The Macaroni Is Hot

It’s important to add the evaporated milk whilst the macaroni is still hot. If you add cold milk, it will make the cheese become hard and lumpy when cooking under pressure. It will also result in a less flavorful dish that everyone will enjoy!

FAQ Section

How Can I Spice Up The Mac and Cheese?

You can spice it up by using hot sauce or different cheeses. Just be careful to not go too crazy with the hot sauce.

What Is The Best Salt To Use?

Sea salt or kosher salt are two great ways to season your homemade mac and cheese. They tend to have large, crunchy flakes that add a burst of flavor when added during the cooking process. If you don’t want to use either one of these salts, you can also try using garlic powder, onion powder or black pepper for an extra boost of flavor.

What Are Some Tips For Making The Best Mac and Cheese?

Mac and cheese should always be creamy and thick, so make sure to let the pasta sit in the sauce for a few minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken as it cools off. You can also stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream before serving if the mac and cheese is not creamy enough.

Do I Need Any Special Equipment For This Recipe?

An Instant Pot is the only special equipment you need to make this recipe.

Are There Any Variations Of This Recipe?

You can modify this recipe by using any pasta or cheese that you prefer. You can also combine different types of cheeses to make your own unique blend.

How Do I Store Leftover Macaroni And Cheese?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also freeze this dish for up to two months. To reheat leftover mac and cheese, you can either microwave it or cook it in a pan until bubbly.

Did you enjoy this Instant Pot Macaroni Cheese Recipe? You may also love the following posts:

• Easy Instant Pot Meatballs
• Instant Pot Boneless Ham
• Instant Pot Low Carb Recipes
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

About Angela Milnes

Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!