Instant Pot Chili Mac Recipe

This Instant Pot Chili Mac Recipe takes about 20 minutes to make.

Made with homemade chili, macaroni, and cheddar cheese, this hearty meal is the perfect combination of cheesy pasta goodness with a mouthwatering chili.

What is chili mac?

Chili mac is a combination of two favorite comfort foods, chili with macaroni and cheese, all in one pot or bowl.

I like how quick and easy it is to make this recipe in a pressure cooker!

Have you tried my Air Fryer Garlic Bread recipe?

That air fried garlic bread is a quick and easy appetizer, snack, or side recipe for crispy bread loaded with bubbling butter with garlic. Both this instant pot chili mac and that air fried garlic bread would go nicely when served together for dinner.

To make this recipe you will need elbow pasta (macaroni). You can find elbow macaroni pasta here.

Why we love Instant Pot Chili Mac.

Instant pot chili mac and cheese is a perfect meal idea especially when you are in a pinch for time.This is a quick and easy meal idea that can be made in about 20 minutes.

Here is what else we like about this recipe.

• The ingredients used in making this recipe are basic pantry ingredients that you may already have on hand.
• This is a hearty meal idea that needs little more to make it into a meal.
• Clean up is a breeze since you are just using one pot to make this in.
• As a mix of two favorite comfort foods, this recipe is sure to please.
• Personalizing this recipe is as easy as adding a few drops of hot sauce or using a different kind of pasta.
• Leftovers can be enjoyed as is, in a wrap, or on top of a baked potato the next day.

Ingredients needed to make chili macaroni and cheese in an instant pot.

• Olive Oil. Used in sautéing the meat.
• Ground Beef. Lean or extra lean is preferred to keep this dish from getting too greasy.
• Garlic. Freshly minced garlic.
• Onion. Your onion should be chopped or diced.
• Tomatoes. Use canned diced tomatoes to make this even easier.
• Kidney Beans. Your beans should be rinsed and drained.
• Pasta Elbow (macaroni) pasta that is not cooked.
• Chicken Broth. The moisture needed to cook the ingredients (pasta..).
• Seasonings. Salt, chili powder, and ground cumin.
• Cheddar Cheese. Your cheddar cheese should be shredded.

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Tips for making the best chili mac.

Lean or extra lean ground beef should be used in this recipe. This is because the meat grease produced from sautéing the beef remains in the cooker can cause this recipe to possibly not cook properly.

More helpful tips for you.

1. Can you use something other than ground beef to make this recipe? Yes, ground poultry such as chicken or turkey can be used however, cooking times may vary as a result.
2. Is it okay to use precooked pasta in this recipe? I would not use precooked pasta as it will get terribly mushy from overcooking it with the other ingredients.
3. What else can be added to this recipe to make it into a meal? As long as it can fit into the pot so that the ingredients can cook properly, corn could work in this recipe.
4. What about using canned chili instead of the chili ingredients? While you could try doing this, cooking time can change so keep an eye on it.
5. Do you have to use cheddar cheese to make this recipe? You can use any shredded cheese or combination of cheeses. Cheddar cheese will offer a flavor that is probably closest to actual macaroni and cheese however.
6. Can you make this recipe vegetarian? Sure. Just omit the meat (and the sauteing step included) or use a vegan meat alternative (cooked according to packaging).

How to make this Instant Pot Chili Mac Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes.
Cooking Time: about 8 minutes .
Servings: 8.

1. Start by sauteing the meat. Place the olive oil and then the ground beef into your pressure cooker. You can use a wooden spoon if needed to break up the beef. Press the 'Sauté button' and then (press Adjust until you reach) the High Setting. Cook your ground beef until it is browned, about (about seven minutes ).
2. Next, add the minced garlic and the diced onion into the pot and continue sautéing until the onion is yellow and soft. Then press cancel.
3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the cheese. Add the chicken broth, salt, chili powder, cumin and uncooked pasta to the Instant Pot. Replace the lid and turn the vent to sealing position.
   Then press 'manual' and set the timer for four minutes. (It will take about seven minutes to reach pressure.)
4. Once the ingredients are done cooking, press cancel and turn the vent to venting position.
5. Allow the pressure to fully release, it will take about four minutes.
6. Remove the lid from the pressure cooker and then stir in the shredded cheddar until melted.
7. Let your chili mac cool for a few minutes before serving so that the cheese can soften up.
8. You can serve your chili mac with additional shredded cheese on top.

Expert Tip 👉 This recipe can also be made in a slow cooker. I would however do the sauteing steps on a stove and then add it to the slow cooker.

How to store chili mac and cheese.

Once your chili mac has fully cooled it can be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, chili mac and cheese should keep for up to four days refrigerated or up to a few months when frozen.

You may also be interested in these instant pot ideas.

• Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken (with video)
• Instant Pot Chicken Wings (video)
• Instant Pot Spicy Thai Peanut Noodles
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Garlic Butter Knots
• Instant Pot Bean Soup

Print the recipe for this Instant Pot Chili Mac Recipe

Instant Pot Chili Mac Recipe, an easy and delicious dinner recipe made with homemade chili, macaroni, and cheddar cheese. Pressure Cooker.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.