Instant Pot Kielbasa Mac and Cheese recipe is a quick and easy dinner made with pasta and smoked sausage slices. Just add the ingredients and cook!
This mac and cheese is one of the easiest, simplest Instant Pot recipes you can make because there is hardly any prep work involved. And because you’re using smoked sausage, there’s no need to pre-cook the meat, which is a huge timesaver!
I grew up on kielbasa recipes. I truly love the stuff!
Some of our favorite smoked sausage recipes include sheet pan dinners, noodles and cabbage, Instant Pot Cabbage and Noodle and Polish Sausage Sandwiches! It’s very versatile!
How to Make Instant Pot Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese
When I make plain Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, I like to use several kinds of cheese for more flavor, but for this one, I kept everything simple. You get plenty of extra flavor from the smoked sausage.
Just cut the smoked sausage into pieces roughly ½ in thick and place them in the pressure cooker.
I sometimes use 2 ropes of kielbasa for a meatier mac and cheese. You can use 1 or 2 without changing anything else.
Next, add the pasta, spices and water. Don't stir just yet.
Add a few pats of butter. Then, you cook the mac and sausage for 4 minutes.
After cooking, you can add more butter for a super creamy mac and cheese. Or, you just add shredded cheese, cream and a little Dijon mustard.
Now, you can stir everything together until it's all mixed well. The mustard adds an extra pop of flavor that goes well with the smokiness of the sausage.
It’s not overpowering. But if you’re not a mustard fan, you can leave it out.
And that’s it! You’ve got an easy, kid friendly dinner in about 30 minutes -- quicker than takeout and healthier, too!
This post was originally published as sponsored by Eckrich Smoked Sausage in 2018 but has been updated with new pictures and recipe information in 2020.
Instant Pot Kielbasa Mac and Cheese Recipe
Instant Pot Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 rope Kielbasa or Smoked Sausage sliced Can use 2 ropes for more meat
- 1 16-ounce box macaroni pasta
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 4 cups water
- 3 tablespoons butter sliced into smaller pieces
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups shredded Colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Place the smoked sausage slices in the Instant Pot
- Add the macaroni over the sausage
- Add the sea salt, garlic powder and pepper over the pasta
- Pour water around the sides and over the pasta, and add butter
- Cover with lid, turn vent to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes
- Pot will take time to pressurize, then begin counting down at 4 minutes
- After cook time, do a gradual quick release
- After pin drops, open lid, add cream, mustard, and gradually add cheese, stirring well until completely blended
Video
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
Elizabeth says
Love this!ale it all the time! I add a little paprika and creole seasoning for a little kick and normally use a mixture of cheddar and pepper jack cheese. I also use the skinless cheddar smoked sausage ropes. Super tasty and easy for nights I get out of work late
Dee says
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! Glad you like the mac and cheese!
Paul says
Really good recipe!! I added serano peppers to give mine a lil kick!!
Dee says
Oooh, I'll have to try that next time. Thanks for sharing!
Linda says
The whole family loved it and it was super easy to make. The blend of flavors was top notch and the kids already asked if I can make it again soon.
Dee says
That's wonderful! Thanks so much, Linda -- glad your family liked it!
Nancy E Laclair-Pointer says
What can I substitute for heavy cream, I don't have any and can't go get it
Dee says
You can use enough milk to get it to your preferred consistency. Or, you can add some milk and cream cheese if you have it.
Chris says
Love this! So creamy. Fast and easy.
Dee says
Thank you so much, Chris. Glad you liked it!
akow says
Great one 🙂 to change it up a bit been changing the meat around to pepperoni or Hamburger meat. We used Bacon the other night
Dee says
Bacon would be so amazing in this recipe!