Gluten Free Instant Pot Mac and Cheese has to be one of the easiest recipes that is both simple to cook and full of cheesy goodness. This recipe 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!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Celiac Friendly: This gluten free recipe ensures everyone can enjoy this comfort food classic.
- Instant Pot Efficiency: The Instant Pot saves time and effort, making mac and cheese a quick, easy meal solution.
- Creamy and Delicious: This mac and cheese recipe is packed with rich, cheesy goodness that's irresistible.
📋 Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni Pasta (Gluten-Free, if required): Serves as the base of the dish, providing a classic macaroni shape and texture while accommodating dietary restrictions for those who need to avoid gluten.
- Water: Essential for cooking the pasta in the Instant Pot, ensuring it becomes tender and perfectly cooked.
- Butter: Adds richness and a creamy flavor to the mac and cheese, creating a luscious and indulgent sauce.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the dish, bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients and adding a savory element.
- Ground Mustard: Introduces a subtle tang and depth of flavor to the mac and cheese, complementing the richness of the cheese sauce.
- Smoked Paprika: Imparts a smoky and slightly sweet flavor, elevating the taste profile of the mac and cheese with its unique and aromatic notes.
- Evaporated Milk: Creates a creamy and velvety texture for the cheese sauce, enhancing the overall richness and consistency of the dish.
- Smoked Gouda Cheese, Shredded: Adds a deliciously smoky and slightly nutty flavor to the mac and cheese, creating a depth of taste that complements the other ingredients.
- Monterey Jack Pre-Shredded Cheese: Contributes a mild and creamy flavor to the dish, melting beautifully into the cheese sauce and adding a smooth and creamy texture.
- White Cheddar Cheese (Optional): Provides an additional layer of sharpness and richness to the mac and cheese, intensifying its cheesy flavor if desired.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Cheese: 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.
- Chicken Broth: Switch the water for chicken broth to add an enhanced flavor to your homemade mac an cheese.
- Twist: For a twist add a little garlic powder or a spoonful of Dijon mustard to this family favorite recipe.
🔪How To Cook Instant Pot Mac And Cheese
Step One: 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.” Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
Step Two: pressure. Carefully removing the lid once the steam has completely released. Stir in the evaporated canned milk, Smoke gouda, and Monterey jack.
Step Three: If using, also add the white cheddar. Stir until the cheeses are melted. The creamy sauce will thicken as it rests.
Step Four: Your gluten free Mac and cheese is now ready to serve!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Cheese Sauce for Macaroni and Cheese: To make the best Instant Pot Mac n Cheese, you’ll want to add the cheese and milk directly into the pot whilst the macaroni is still really hot.
- No Flour: This one pot dish will make the cheesy, gooey macaroni while keeping the cheese sauce gluten free as there is no need to add flour or thickeners.
- Heavy Cream: 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.
- Don't Overfill: 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.
💭 FAQs
Gouda is a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk. Smoked Gouda has an 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.
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 the pot until bubbly.
While it's possible to use gluten-free pasta, results may vary. Some users have reported that gluten-free noodles tend to become mushy when pressure-cooked. If you choose to use gluten-free pasta, monitor the cooking time closely and consider reducing it slightly to prevent overcooking.
For a rich and creamy texture, opt for cheeses that melt well, such as sharp cheddar, gouda, gruyère, or Monterey Jack. Combining different cheeses can enhance flavor complexity. Avoid pre-shredded cheeses, as they often contain anti-caking agents that can affect the sauce's smoothness.
To achieve the desired consistency, use the recommended amount of liquid and pasta. If the sauce turns out too thin, let it sit for a few minutes; the pasta will absorb some liquid, and the sauce will thicken. If it's too thick, gradually stir in additional milk until you reach the preferred creaminess.
Certainly! You can mix in cooked vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or tomatoes, or add proteins such as cooked chicken, bacon, or sausage. It's best to add these ingredients after cooking and stirring them in during the final mixing stage to ensure even distribution.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some great side dishes to serve with Instant Pot Mac And Cheese:
- Garlic Bread: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread alongside mac and cheese for a comforting and satisfying meal. The garlic-infused bread complements the creamy cheese sauce and adds a delicious crunch to each bite.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roast a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper until tender and caramelized. The roasted veggies add a burst of flavor and nutrients to the meal, balancing out the richness of the mac and cheese.
- Green Salad: Toss together a simple green salad with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and your favorite dressing. The crisp and refreshing salad provides a light and healthy contrast to the creamy mac and cheese, making it a perfect side dish.
- BBQ Pulled Pork: Serve BBQ pulled pork alongside mac and cheese for a hearty and satisfying meal. The smoky, tangy flavors of the pulled pork complement the creamy cheese sauce and add a delicious protein boost to the dish.
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The Best Instant Pot Macaroni And Cheese Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 16 Ounce Macaroni Pasta Gluten Free Option If Required
- 4 cups Water
- 4 tablespoons 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 Shredded Monterey Jack
- 8 ounces White Cheddar shredded, optional
Instructions
- place the macaroni, water, butter, salt, ground mustard, and smoked paprika into the Instant Pot. Stir to distribute the seasonings.
- Cover the electric pressure cooker and set the valve to “sealing.”
- Program the pressure cooker using the “manual” or “pressure cook” function for 4 minutes. When the cooking cycle is completed, perform a quick release of the pressure. Carefully remove the lid.
- Stir in the evaporated milk, smoked gouda, and Monterey jack. If using, also add the white cheddar. Stir until the cheeses are melted. The sauce will thicken as it rests.
Notes
Nutrition
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I love pressure cooker recipes! This mac and cheese looks so good - thanks for sharing!
Thank you. I am glad you liked this recipe.
John M
oooh this looks ooey gooey! Love that it's in the instant pot super quick and easy!
Thank you. Glad you like it.
John M
We don't have an instant pot, but I'm sure I can use this recipe in general as I've been saying I want to make mac and cheese for ages x
Thank you. Glad you like it.
John M
Definitely giving this a go! The kids love macaroni cheese and I love my Instant Pot so its a win win!
Yep agreed, the kids will definately like it.
John M
Oh my gosh this looks so yummy. I always find food like this to be so comforting and my kind of thing x
Thank you. Glad you like it.
John M
I've never had Mac N Cheese American style, I think this must be a sin! lol The addiiton of the smoked gouda sounds delicious and I can imagine how flavoursome it makes it. Mich x
LOL, I think we are allowed a few food sins now and again. I agree about the Gouda, it does make it delicious.
John M
Oh wow, this looks delicious. I've only recently become a fan of mac & cheese, but can't get enough of it at the moment. 🙂
Awesome thank you. I am so glad you liked this recipe.
John M
Now this is something I could eat right now!!! Looks so good!
Awesome, Thank you.
John
I have to get an instant pot, there are so many easy and great recipes I have missed out on. That mac and cheese looks so yummy and cheeesy.
This is a recipe that my kids would love. I will have to make this for them.
Holy delicious, cheesey goodness, Batman! Thish sounds amazing! I have never thought of using gouda in mac and cheese before.
Printing to make this for my family over the weekend. They are going to love it!
We love mac and cheese here. I'll have to make this version. I bet it'll be a hit!
I haven't seen mac and cheese made in an instant pot yet! Looks awesome!
Looks great! I'll definitely try this, just not on an instant pot coz I don't have one, hehe
It looks so yummy omg I wish i had eaten a bigger breakfast. I do love macaroni cheese.
I love using my instant pot so much, thanks for sharing your recipe.
This looks amazing. My family loves mac and cheese. I'll be giving this one a try soon. I bet my family is going to love it.
Macaroni and cheese sounds perfect for dinner tonight. Your recipe looks so inviting!
Thanks Catalina 🙂
i'd love to give this a try. i'm all for easy dinners!
yes it's super fast and the kids love this!
My kids are obsessed with mac and cheese, and this sounds like an awesome recipe. I'll have to try out your recipe. Nice to have some instant pot ideas for easy meals!
This looks so good and delicious! thanks for sharing the recipe!
This macaroni recipe turned out great and the kids loved it. I will try it again for sure.