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    Recipes » Recipes

    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 4, 2018 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham is an extra creamy pasta recipe made in the pressure cooker with leftover ham and 3 kinds of cheese. This quick and easy one dish dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes, and it's definitely kid approved!

    Jump to Recipe -

    instant pot mac and cheese with ham in white ramekins

    This pressure cooker mac and cheese recipe is perfect for using up leftover ham. If you have cooked ham in your fridge, this easy, cheesy dinner is for you!

    My family is crazy about mac and cheese. Seriously, my son and the Hubs could practically live on the stuff, and my other kids love it too. Personally, I never was a huge fan of macaroni and cheese until I started making pasta in the Instant Pot.

    You guys, Instant Pot mac and cheese is a total game changer. It's so easy, and it turns out perfect every single time. Since I make mac and cheese in the pressure cooker so often, I felt the need to change up the recipe a little bit, and the result was this amazing creamy Instant Pot mac and cheese with ham.

    mac and cheese with butter and water in instant pot

    I just took my basic pressure cooker mac and cheese recipe and added a little leftover ham from Easter. I don't know about you, but we have a lot of ham in the fridge right now. If you don't have leftover ham, any thick deli ham would work, as well.

    So basically, you make your macaroni in the Instant Pot, and when it's done, you throw in some ham.

    instant pot mac and cheese with ham on spoon

    You can warm the ham up first if you want, but the cooked pasta is hot enough to do the trick. Just stir the ham into the macaroni, and then add the cream and the cheese.

    I don't use mustard in my usual mac and cheese recipe, but I felt like mustard would be perfect with the ham. It's almost like a hot ham and cheese sandwich with a little mustard for extra flavor!

    instant pot mac and cheese with ham in white dishes

    If  you're totally opposed to mustard, you can leave it out. But, it really does go well with the ham, and it's only a teaspoon, so try it first -- k?

    My little man loves mustard, but the Hubs does not. Still, even he thought it was fine here.

    instant pot mac and cheese with ham in fork

    Recipe for Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham

    instant pot mac and cheese with ham in white ramekins

    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham

    Published by Dee
    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham is made in the pressure cooker with macaroni pasta, leftover ham and 3 kinds of cheese. It's a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love, and it's ready in less than 30 minutes!
    5 from 9 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 14 mins
    Total Time 24 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 390 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 16-ounce box elbow macaroni
    • 4 cups water
    • 4 tablespoons butter cut into even pieces
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
    • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
    • 2 cups cooked diced ham
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

    Instructions
     

    • Add the macaroni, water, butter, sea salt, garlic powder and pepper to the Instant Pot
    • Turn valve to sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes
    • Allow pot to come to pressure, and after 4 minutes cook time, do a gradual quick release, hit CANCEL, and carefully open lid when pin drops
    • Gently stir the macaroni, then stir in the ham, and stir in the cream
    • Gradually, stir in the cheeses, about 1 cup at a time, and mix well so that it all blends together
    • Stir in the Dijon mustard, and serve immediately

    Notes

    Recipe was made in an 8-quart Instant Pot pressure cooker using Barilla brand pasta and shredded block cheese (not packaged)

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 390kcal
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Can you use any cheese in this recipe?

    You can use your favorite cheese here, but I think a combination works better.

    Can this recipe be cut in half?

    Yes! Just halve the ingredients, but the cook time for the pasta remains the same.

    Tips for Making Perfect Mac and Cheese in the Instant Pot

    1. Grate your own cheese for the best texture. It melts easier, too.
    2. Use heavy cream or evaporated milk instead of milk for creamier texture
    3. Cut butter into pieces
    4. Do a gradual quick release so liquid doesn't spray everywhere
    5. Stir cheese in gradually and allow to melt before adding more
    6. Add ham after the pasta cooks

    My family is crazy about this easy Instant Pot mac and cheese with ham. My kids and the Hubs all had seconds! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

    Happy Cooking,

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Annah says

      January 04, 2023 at 3:59 pm

      Not sure what happened but we had macaroni soup. Way too much water! Boiled/sauteed it after which just resulted in complete mess on the bottom of the instant pot.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 05, 2023 at 1:13 pm

        You need 4 cups of water for 1 pound of pasta in the Instant Pot. I have been making this recipe for years with great results. Maybe the measurements were off?

    2. Sandy says

      December 28, 2022 at 5:05 pm

      This recipe turned out so good, and it was so easy and fast! Love a one pot meal. We made this with our leftover Christmas ham, and it was just different enough that people were not cringing at the thought of having ham for the third time. Thank you so much for sharing!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 29, 2022 at 6:54 pm

        So happy you liked the recipe, Sandy. My family is the same way about leftovers. 🙂

    3. Fran says

      December 24, 2020 at 1:38 pm

      I am making this for Christmas Eve dinner. When I found this recipe several years ago it became my go to mac and cheese. It’s easy and delicious every time. Never a disappointment. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 26, 2020 at 5:36 pm

        Thank you so much, Fran! I'm glad you like it!

    4. Tom says

      April 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm

      Finally, a Mac & Cheese recipe the kids like more than Annie's! Worked well for me: though I discovered it benefits from double the garlic & pepper, and adding mustard powder with the garlic. Nice job!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 17, 2020 at 12:01 pm

        Thanks so much, Tom! I"m glad you liked it!

    5. Chris says

      December 26, 2019 at 4:31 pm

      So quick and easy. I followed recipe as is, including mustard, may have been the best Mac and cheese I’ve ever eaten. Could not believe how easy it was too!! Will definitely make it again, my family loved it.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 27, 2019 at 2:43 pm

        I'm so glad you liked the mac and cheese, Chris. Thanks!

    6. Donna Marie Mayne says

      January 09, 2019 at 6:32 pm

      Can I make this same recipe in my 6 qt instant pot without cutting the recipe in half?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 09, 2019 at 7:35 pm

        Yes! It fits fine in the 6 quart. 🙂

      • Mandy says

        December 27, 2020 at 3:25 pm

        Can you double this?

      • Dee says

        December 27, 2020 at 8:37 pm

        Yes, you can double the ingredients, but keep the cook time the same.

    7. Miz Helen says

      April 10, 2018 at 6:14 am

      I pinned this one, it looks so good! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    8. Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says

      April 09, 2018 at 7:44 am

      This looks like a new favorite for my kids!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 10, 2018 at 8:06 am

        My kids practically inhaled this one! 🙂

    9. Krista says

      April 06, 2018 at 7:46 am

      Mac and cheese with ham! I have to make this for my little man!

      Reply
    10. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      April 05, 2018 at 9:47 pm

      Wow! I'm gonna make this soon! My family definitely will love this!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 05, 2018 at 10:26 pm

        Thanks, Erin. My family sure loves it!

    11. Catalina says

      April 05, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      What a delicious recipe! So glad I can make it in the Instant Pot!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 05, 2018 at 10:27 pm

        Thanks, Catalina! Love the Instant Pot!

    12. Jen says

      April 05, 2018 at 5:34 am

      No one in my house can resist mac and cheese! This is quickly going to become a family favorite, I know!!5 stars

      Reply
    13. Sabrina says

      April 05, 2018 at 5:32 am

      This is a great way to use up the rest of my Easter ham! Looks so creamy!

      Reply
    14. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 05, 2018 at 12:06 am

      Oooh yum, pass me a big bowl of that, please!

      Reply
    15. Anna says

      April 04, 2018 at 7:57 pm

      IP mac and cheese is in our weekly rotation. It's so good! I need to add ham next time.5 stars

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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