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    Home » Instant Pot Pasta Recipes » Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese

    Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese

    Published: Feb 20, 2022 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese is a tasty cross between mac & cheese and spaghetti. It's cheesy, creamy, saucy goodness that takes less than 30 minutes total to make!

    Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese on a stoneware plate.

    If you've ever had trouble deciding whether to eat mac and cheese or spaghetti, then this pasta is for you! Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese is a delicious cross between mac and cheese and spaghetti.

    This recipe doesn't take much prep to make and is made entirely in the Instant Pot inner pot. It's cheesy, creamy, saucy goodness that takes less than 30 minutes total!

    How to make Instant Pot Italian mac and cheese

    Cooked Italian sausage in an instant pot inner pot.

    Cook Italian sausage until browned. Drain grease and return to inner pot.

    Add onion and red pepper. Cook until softened. Stir in garlic.

    Pasta in water in an instant pot inner pot.

    Add chicken broth, noodles, and marinara. Don't stir.

    Cook and then quickly release pressure.

    Cooked Italian mac and cheese in an instant pot inner pot.

    Remove the lid and stir in cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper

    to taste.

    Italian mac and cheese next to a black fork.

    Tips

    • Italian Sausage: You can use mild or hot depending on how hot you like your pasta to be.
    • Cellentani Noodles: Cellentani noodles are also called cavatappi. They are a corkscrew-type noodle.
    • Marinara: Pick a pasta sauce that you like. I like to use a roasted garlic pasta sauce in this recipe.
    • Cheese: I use a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan. You could also use another blend like an Italian cheese blend.
    A plate of Italian mac and cheese topped with parmesan cheese.

    Storage

    Any leftover pasta should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored.

    More Instant Pot pasta recipes!

    • Instant Pot Cavatini
    • Instant Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
    • Instant Pot Beef and Shells
    • Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff

    If you’ve tried this Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese on a stoneware plate.

    Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese

    Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese recipe! This flavorful pasta dish is made entirely in the pressure cooker.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Time to Pressure: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 27 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 567kcal
    Author: Kate at Eating in an Instant

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot/Electric Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
    • 1 cup diced white or yellow onion
    • 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 16 ounces cellentani noodles
    • 24 ounce jar marinara
    • 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth
    • ¼ cup half-and-half or heavy cream
    • 2-3 cups shredded mozzarella depending on desired cheesiness
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • Salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • Press SAUTE.
    • When the Instant Pot is hot, cook the ground Italian sausage until browned.
    • Drain grease, if necessary, and return ground sausage to the inner pot.
    • Stir in onion and red bell pepper and cook, stirring regularly, until onion has softened, about 2-3 minutes.
    • Add garlic and stir to combine.
    • Add noodles, marinara, and chicken broth. Do not stir.
    • Press CANCEL.
    • Close and lock lid.
    • Turn pressure release valve to SEALING.
    • Press MANUAL and adjust pressure to HIGH and time to 4 minutes.
    • When finished cooking, carefully turn the pressure release valve to VENTING to quickly release the pressure.
    • Unlock and remove the lid.
    • Stir in cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Notes

    • Italian Sausage: You can use mild or hot depending on how spicy you like your pasta to be.
    • Cellentani Noodles: Cellentani noodles are also called cavatapi. They are a corkscrew-type noodle.
    • Marinara: Pick a pasta sauce that you like. I like to use a roasted garlic pasta sauce in this recipe.
    • Cheese: I use a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan. You could also use another blend like an Italian cheese blend.
    • Nutrition values are estimates.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 567kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1126mg | Potassium: 749mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1078IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave me a comment below to let me know!
    « Instant Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
    Instant Pot Chipotle Chili »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Candice

      March 09, 2022 at 5:08 pm

      5 stars
      A new family favorite! My kids loved this recipe.

      Reply
      • Kate

        March 09, 2022 at 5:09 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply

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