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–+ servings
jalapeno mac and cheese in a bowl with fork

Instant Pot Jalapeno Bacon Mac & Cheese

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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 491
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)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 cups shredded sharp/ old cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup parmesan reggiano cheese
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 3/4 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 1/2 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