Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Make this Loaded Instant Pot Mac and Cheese right now! Piping hot elbow macaroni swimming in creamy cheddar cheese sauce. Sprinkled with buttery toasted golden breadcrumbs, smoky crispy bacon bits, and crunchy scallions. Indulge in this ultimate kid-friendly comfort food.

📝 Ingredients

• 16 ounces (454g) elbow macaroni
• 4 cups (1L) cold running water
• 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
• 14 ounces (397g) sharp cheddar (, freshly grated)
• 6 ounces (170g) mild cheddar or Velveeta cheese (, freshly grated)
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs (beaten)
• 12 ounces (355ml) evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) Sriracha sauce or Frank’s hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon (2g) ground mustard
• 4 - 8 strips bacon
• 2 stalks scallion (, finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup (31g) panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter
• Kosher salt to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Crisp Bacon Bits: Place bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place it on the middle rack of a preheated 400°F oven. Bake bacon until crispy and golden-brown. Set a timer for roughly 18 - 20 minutes. Place them on a paper towel to absorb the excess fat. Cut into bacon bits.
2. 2Pressure Cook Elbow Macaroni: Add 16 oz (454g) elbow macaroni, 4 cups (1L) cold water, and a pinch of kosher salt in Instant Pot. Close the lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 4 minutes + Gradual Quick Release. Open lid carefully.*Pro Tip: There is a slight chance that a tiny amount of foam will come out with the steam. Have a towel handy just in case.
3. 3Prepare Crispy Breadcrumbs: While the macaroni is pressure cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter, 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, and ½ cup (31g) panko breadcrumbs to the skillet. Toast the breadcrumbs until golden brown. Taste and add kosher salt for seasoning.
4. 4Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, beat 2 large eggs and mix in 1 tsp (2g) ground mustard, 1 tsp (5ml) Sriracha, and 12 oz (355ml) evaporated milk. Mix well.
5. 5Make Mac & Cheese: Keep the heat on low or medium-low (Instant Pot: use the keep warm function). Give it a quick stir. If there is excess liquid in the pot, drain if necessary. Place 4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter into the pressure cooked macaroni. Mix well with a silicone spatula and let the butter melt. Pour in the wet ingredients and mix well. Add in the grated cheese 1/3 portion at a time and stir constantly until the cheese fully melt. If the mac and cheese are too runny, turn the heat to medium (Instant Pot: Use Sauté Less function - Click cancel, Sauté and Adjust button twice) to reduce it down.
6. 6Taste & Season: Taste and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper (will probably need quite a few pinches of kosher salt to brighten the dish).
7. 7Serve: Generously sprinkle crispy breadcrumb, bacon bits, then scallion over a bowl of macaroni & cheese. Serve immediately & enjoy~