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.
May contain affiliate links. See disclosure for more information.
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
Pin Image to Save the Recipe
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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!
Gregory instant pot says
Very good! Although I used about 3/4 cup of half and half in place of heavy cream, it turned out really well.
Dee says
So glad you liked the mac and cheese! Thanks!
lynne trover says
fixed this for dinner tonight and it was so good!!!
yummy!!!
Dee says
Thanks, Lynne. So happy you liked it!
Sarah says
How do I amend for a 3Qt?
Dee says
I’m not sure if it would all fit in the 3 quart, but if it does, just follow the recipe as is. I’m not familiar with the 3 quart, so I can’t say for sure.
Tina says
My family LOVED this yummy, quick and easy meal…even my husband who’s not a huge fan of pasta. He insisted I take my Instapot on vacation with us just to make this meal. I’ve only tried a handful of recipes in my new Instapot and I highly recommend this recipe for newbies like myself.
Dee says
That’s awesome! Thrilled that you liked it, Tina! 🙂
Amy says
What does gradual quick release mean?
Dee says
You release the pressure little by little instead of all at once or letting it release naturally.
Heather Wik says
I really want to try this! Can you tell me how many cups of macaroni noodles is 16 oz? Thank you!
Dee says
I’ll have to check for sure next time I make it, but it’s roughly about 4 cups.
Lori says
I’ve made this a few time for my family and they really LOVE it! It has a great flavor. I am wondering if I were to make this without the sausage would I need to adjust the cooking time/settings?
Thanks
Dee says
So glad to hear this, Lori! The cook time and settings would stay the same without the sausage added. 🙂
Mialee says
Yikes! Mine was soupy! I have an 8 qt, used 4 cups water as directed. But I’m new to the IP. Ideas of what I did wrong?! I made sure it was sealed. Thanks!
Dee says
So sorry to hear that! It definitely should not have been soupy — It should look like it does in the video. Did you use an entire box of macaroni and only one cup of cream? It might seem like there’s extra liquid at first, but it quickly gets absorbed and thickens up as the pasta cools down.
Art says
Trying this recipe again the first time was great this time I put broccoli florets and cauliflower in it we’ll only know soon!
James says
WE have made this twice already! The kids just gobble it up!
Dee says
That’s wonderful, James! Thanks for letting me know!
Miz Helen says
A great combo for the Instant Pot! Hope you are having a good week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
I’ll add this to my list for a fab fall dish! I love adding tasty sausage to different dishes. Looks great!
Lauren says
I bet the smokiness of the sausage gives it a nice touch
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This couldn’t look any more perfect! This looks fabulous!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Erin! 🙂
Catalina says
My kid will go crazy over this version of Mac and Cheese!
Mahy Elamin says
That sounds so flavorful! One of my favs. I can’t WAIT to try this! Thank you for this great recipe! So YUMMY!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Mahy! This mac and cheese is definitely a favorite. 🙂
Laurie says
I used bow ties and the pasta wasn’t cooked. Still very hard. Just started it for more time.
Dee says
Hmmm. Not sure what the problem was, but it always comes out fine for us. We do stick to the macaroni, though.
Amanda says
Look at the cook time on the pasta box that you are using and use half the cook time recommended! (May have to add just a wee bit more liquid but not much)
James says
Made this last night! Yummy and super easy. Always have the ingredients on hand.
Dee says
I’m glad you liked it, James! Thanks! 🙂
Kimberly says
The addition of the sausage is a delicious touch!
Dee says
It really is! Thanks so much, Kimberly!
Sara says
I know my family is going to love this! Super easy to make and delicious!
Dee says
It was a huge hit with my family! 🙂
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet says
I’m thinking I need to invest in an Instant Pot! This looks great!
Dee says
Oh, definitely! I love my Instant Pot! 🙂
Misty Elliott says
You have to get one!!!