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This creamy and delicious Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon is made in the Instant Pot!
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Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Bacon

A creamy and delicious Macaroni and Cheese made in the Instant Pot and topped with Panko crumbs and Bacon.
Course Pasta, Potatoes, Rice & Grains
Cuisine American
Keyword instant pot, Mac and Cheese, Macaroni and cheese
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 -8 Servings
Calories 829kcal
Author Barb

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup panko crumbs regular or gluten free
  • 4 slices bacon chopped, regular or gluten free
  • ½ small onion grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 cups water
  • 16 ounces pasta shells, elbow or small penne regular or gluten free
  • 1 ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk or whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg optional
  • 8 ounce Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 8 ounce Gruyere cheese shredded
  • 16 ounce Ricotta cheese
  • 2 ounce Parmesan cheese shredded
  • ¼ cup Sherry or White Wine

Instructions

  • Set sauté on the Instant pot to medium and melt the tablespoon of butter in the pot. Add the panko crumbs and stir to combine; continue stirring until brown. Watch carefully; they will only take a couple of minutes once they start browning. Leave the pressure cooker on sauté but remove the inner pot and scoop the crumbs into a bowl and set aside.
  • Put the inner pot back into the pressure cooker and add the chopped bacon to the pot and sauté, stirring, until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Add the bacon to the panko crumbs, stir, and set aside.
  • Remove all but 2 Tbsps of bacon fat from the pot and add the onion; saute for 5 minutes, add the garlic and continue cooking for one additional minute.
  • To the onion and garlic mixture, add the water, pasta, and salt; making sure the pasta is completely covered by the water. Close and lock the lid and make sure the steam release is in the sealing position. Cook on high for one minute (will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure).
  • When the timer goes off, let the steam release naturally for 4 minutes. Then release the rest of the steam by moving the pressure release valve back and forth a couple of times until all of the steam is released. Use caution, the steam can burn; use a hot pad to protect your fingers.
  • Check the pasta; it should be al dente; if it needs more time to cook, reset the lid and let it rest for a couple of minutes. It will also continue to cook as the cheese is melted.
  • Stir the evaporated milk, mustard powder, pepper, and nutmeg into the cooked pasta. Mix until evenly distributed.
  • Combine the cheeses in a medium bowl and combine; making sure especially to break up the ricotta and have it blended with all of the other cheeses. Add the cheeses, about a cup a time to the Instant Pot and stir to get each addition creamy before adding more.
  • Add the sherry or white wine to the pasta and combine thoroughly. Serve hot with the toasted panko and bacon combination scattered on top.

Notes

This is a very, creamy, cheese dish of mac and cheese when first completed. If leftovers are refrigerated, heat slowly and add a bit of milk or water to the mix to get it creamy again.
For Jane and Sarah's original recipe, make the following adjustments to the directions above:
  1. Eliminate the garlic in the pasta and panko crumbs from the topping.
  2. Use 24 oz of shredded extra sharp Cheddar Cheese instead of the Gruyere and Ricotta.
  3. After all of the cheese is melted, add a bit of hot sauce if desired.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 829kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 873mg | Potassium: 463mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1150IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1028mg | Iron: 2mg