Meatloaf and Melodrama

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Instant Pot Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

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Instant Pot Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese recipe is a quick and easy homemade dinner that’s perfect for busy days. Just add the ingredients and cook!

instant pot mac and cheese made with eckrich smoked sausage kielbasa

This post is sponsored by Eckrich Smoked Sausage. I have been compensated for the post, but opinions are completely my own.

Now that the kids are back in school, life is even busier than ever. Since I’m exhausted by the end of the day, I’m all about quick and easy dinner recipes, like this easy Instant Pot Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese!

This 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!

instant pot smoked sausage mac and cheese in a bowl with eckrich kielbasa

I grew up on Eckrich Smoked Sausage. And, even today, I love using it in so many different dishes, like sheet pan dinners, along with noodles and cabbage and in a bun! It’s very versatile!

Eckrich Smoked Sausage is naturally hardwood smoked for a delicious flavor that goes with just about anything, including this creamy macaroni and cheese recipe. Mix them together, and you’ve got a quick, delicious dinner the whole family will love!

You can find Eckrich Smoked Sausage in the deli section of your local grocer.

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.

smoked sausage kielbasa in instant pot

Next, add the pasta, spices and water, and cook the mac and cheese for 4 minutes.   

macaroni in instant pot

Stir in some butter, shredded cheese, cream and a little Dijon mustard, and mix 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.

instant pot smoked sausage mac and cheese with kielbasa in bowl

And that’s it! You’ve got an easy, kid friendly dinner in about 30 minutes — quicker than takeout and healthier, too!

Recipe for Instant Pot Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

instant pot smoked sausage mac and cheese in a bowl with eckrich kielbasa

Instant Pot Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese recipe is a quick and easy homemade dinner that’s perfect for busy days. Just add the ingredients and cook!
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot mac and cheese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
time to pressurize: 10 minutes
Total Time: 9 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 270kcal
Author: Dee

Ingredients

  • 1 Rope Eckrich Smoked Sausage sliced
  • 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
  • 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 butter, cream, mustard, and gradually add cheese, stirring well until completely blended

Video

Notes

Recipe was made in a 6-quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker, but an 8 quart can be used without changing time or ingredient amounts.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 548mg | Potassium: 63mg | Vitamin A: 795IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 264mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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I hope you enjoy this creamy, cheesy Instant Pot homemade mac and cheese with smoked sausage as much as we do!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. akow says

    5 stars
    Great one 🙂 to change it up a bit been changing the meat around to pepperoni or Hamburger meat. We used Bacon the other night

    Reply

  3. Gregory instant pot says

    5 stars
    Very good! Although I used about 3/4 cup of half and half in place of heavy cream, it turned out really well.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  6. Tina says

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

  9. Lori says

    5 stars
    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

    Reply

  10. 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!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  11. Art says

    5 stars
    Trying this recipe again the first time was great this time I put broccoli florets and cauliflower in it we’ll only know soon!

    Reply

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