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    Home » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Jalapeno Bacon Mac & Cheese

    Instant Pot Jalapeno Bacon Mac & Cheese

    Published: Dec 7, 2020 · Modified: Jul 27, 2021 by Steph · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · About 6 minutes to read this article.

    jalapeno bacon mac and cheese (2)
    Instant Pot Jalapeno Bacon Mac & Cheese
    instant pot mac and cheese collage pin
    ingredients for instant pot jalapeno bacon mac and cheese
    jalapeno bacon mac and cheese
    Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese Pinterest Pin image
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    Mac and cheese pin for Pinterest

    Instant Pot Jalapeno Mac & cheese is your favorite comfort food pasta recipe made mostly hands off using your Instant Pot. 

    This creamy, rich, homemade mac and cheese is ready in less than 15 minutes!

    two bowls mac and cheese flatlay

    Mac and Cheese in your Instant Pot is a right of passage when becoming and Instant Pot guru! 

    This version is made a bit more bougie, and I have no shame. 

    Brace yourself for rich, comforting Mac & Cheese - in under 15 minutes!

    Looking for more Instant Pot Pasta Recipes? 

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna 

    Easy Instant Pot Taco Pasta

    Easy (No Burn) Instant Pot Spaghetti & Meat Balls

    Instant Pot Chili Mac

    Instant Pot Chicken Parm Penne

    Ingredients (and swaps!) for the best ever Instant Pot Mac & Cheese

    ingredients for instant pot jalapeno bacon mac and cheese

    • Cavatappi pasta is a fun corkscrew pasta that I love for mac and cheese, but you can easily swap this out for an elbow macaroni if you wish!
    • Cream or Milk  - I prefer to use a heavy cream, but whole or 2% milk would be a good option too. I don't suggest using evaporated milk. 
    • Jalapenos - this is going to be your call, ultimately. Jalapenos can vary dramatically in their intensity. If I have peppers that are not all that spicy, I will use 2, and if they have bit, I use only 1. 
    • Bacon - to make this a vegetarian dish, you can easily omit the bacon. OR, for the ultra carnivore option, you can load it up. This is one of those ingredients that you can play with and add or subtract as much as you prefer.
    • Bouillon / broth  - I love to use roasted garlic (Better than bouillon brand), but you could just as easily use chicken broth or even just plain water. 
    • Butter - you can omit it but it will affect the overall texture of your mac & cheese.
    • 3 cheeses - I use old/sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan reggiano. I grate them all. It is worth it. If you want that gooey feel, don't use pre shredded  bags of cheese (they have cellulose added and don't melt as well).

    Only a few easy steps to this Instant Pot Mac & Cheese

    process for how to make jalapeno bacon mac and cheese

    (1 )Use the saute feature to cook your bacon and jalapenos. Remove them from the instant pot when done. Be sure to get all of the bits off the bottom or you will get a burn message. 

      • You can skip this step and saute the bacon and jalapenos on the stove while the pasta cooks - as an alternative. This will make the overall process quicker (but dirty an additional pan)

    ( 2 )Add the pasta, bouillon/water OR broth, and butter to the pot. The water just be just barely covering the pasta.

      • Place the lid on, set to seal, and set to 4 minutes (or half the time on the box if you choose a different pasta). 

    ( 3) Once the pressure cycle is complete, carefully release the pressure. Add in all of your cream, and add the cheese one handful at a time, stirring (gently) until all melted. Do not discard any remaining pasta liquid! This starchy liquid helps tighten it all up!

      • Fold in the cooked jalapenos and bacon.

    (4) Serve! 

    jalapeno mac and cheese in a bowl with fork

    Why is it foaming when I do pressure release?

    This can happen because the pasta is a starch. If you get foamy spewing as you release the pressure, so an intermittent pressure release. This means release the pressure for 2-3 seconds and close it for 3 seconds, and repeat. 

    Not a fan of stingy, gooey Mac & Cheese?

    mac and cheese in a ladle close up with bacon

    That is a shame! But, I get it. If you don't want the stringy gooey texture, omit the mozzarella and use just the cheddar and parm. 

    Want a thicker, creamier version? 

    jalapeno bacon mac and cheese in a bowl being held

    That is ok, too. You will want to add about 4 ounces of cream cheese. This will mac this mac and cheese much more rich.

     

    Print
    4 from 7 votes

    Instant Pot Jalapeno Bacon Mac & Cheese

    Instant Pot Jalapeno Mac & cheese is your favorite comfort food pasta recipe made mostly hands off using your Instant Pot. 
    This creamy, rich, homemade mac and cheese is ready in less than 15 minutes!
    Course Instant Pot
    Cuisine American
    Keyword Instant Pot Mac & Cheese, Mac & Cheese
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 4 minutes
    Servings 10 one cup servings
    Calories 491kcal
    Author Steph

    Ingredients

    • 1 large jalapeno, seeds removed and diced
    • 1 cup raw bacon pieces this is about 5-6 pieces
    • 1 pound cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni 450-500g pasta
    • 4 cups water or broth (I use Better than Bouillon roasted garlic for this recipe, but chicken is good too)
    • ½ cup butter
    • 2 cups shredded sharp/ old cheese
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    • ½ cup parmesan reggiano cheese
    • 1 tsp dijon mustard
    • ¾ cup heavy cream OR whole milk OR 2%milk
    • to taste salt and pepper

    Instructions

    Bacon & Jalapenos

    • Press saute feature and once hot, add the bacon.
    • Once the bacon is ½ cooked, add in the diced jalapeno.
    • Stir often and cook until jalapenos have softened and the bacon is fully cooked.
      jalapeno bacon mixture
    • Press cancel, and removed cooked bacon and jalapenos from the Instant Pot.
    • Ensure all brown bits are removed from the bottom of the pot.
    • You may skip this step and saute the bacon and jalapenos in a pan, separately, while the pasta is cooking.

    Mac & Cheese

    • Place the pasta, water (or broth), and butter in the Instant Pot. Ensure the pasta is just barely covered.
      water barely covering noodles
    • Secure the lid, set to sealing, and set on high pressure 4 minutes.
    • When the pressure cycle is complete, carefully release the pressure.
    • If there is liquid left in the pot, have no fear. This starch water is perfect to help tighten everything up - which will happen as it all cools.
    • Add the cream and Dijon mustard to the pot and stir to combine.
    • Add the cheese in handfuls and mix after each handful until all cheese is melted.
    • Fold in your cooked Jalapenos and Bacon.
      fold in jalapeno and bacon
    • At this point you can play with it a bit to get to your desired texture. If you want creamier and smoother, add more cream or milk. If you want it cheesier, add more cheese. If you want a really rich and thick mac and cheese, add 4 oz cream cheese.
    • Add salt and pepper to taste.

    Notes

    Don't even look at the nutrition info. Just enjoy it with a salad or raw veggies!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 28g
    « Veggie Loaded Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    Easy Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kellie says

      July 06, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      delish!

      Reply
    2. Kaley Mackenzie says

      July 08, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Steph, Awesome recipe. Thank you. For freezing what's the best way to thaw?

      Reply
      • Steph says

        July 13, 2021 at 8:33 am

        overnight in the fridge is best, but I do microwave with a tsp of water in the microwave, too.

        Reply

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