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    Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas

    February 10, 2021 by Kate Dean 3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas is a simple dump-and-go mac and cheese recipe that’s made entirely in the Instant Pot. Plus, there’s no need to make a separate sauce.Plate of macaroni and cheese with ham and peas next to a blue linen napkin

    One of the best things about the Instant Pot is that you can make delicious, easy one-pot meals. This Instant Pot macaroni and cheese with ham and peas is a super easy, super tasty dinner that’s ready in less than 30 minutes.

    This mac and cheese is also a great way to repurpose leftover ham into a new meal. Add a simple green salad, and you have a quick dinner that’s perfect for weeknights!

    How to make Instant Pot macaroni and cheese with ham and peas

    Dry noodles in an instant pot inner pot

    Add pasta to the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Add enough water cover pasta by 1 inch. Depending on the shape of the pasta, it usually takes 3-5 cups of water.

    Lock lid in place, and turn pressure release valve to SEALING. Cook on MANUAL/HIGH pressure for 4 minutes.

    Carefully turn pressure release valve to VENTING. Unlock lid, and drain pasta.

    Return pasta to inner pot.

    spoon stirring in cheese in mac and cheese
    Add milk, salt, pepper, and dry mustard and stir to combine. Press CANCEL.

    Stir in cheese, and continue stirring until cheese has melted and is combined.

    Spoon scooping up mac and cheese with ham and peasStir in diced ham and frozen peas until combined.

    Tips

    • Pasta: I like to use cavatappi. If you use another type of pasta, you may find that you need to adjust the cooking time.
    • Evaporated milk: You can use regular, low-fat, or fat-free.
    • Mustard: If you don’t have dry mustard, Dijon mustard makes a good substitute. I use about a teaspoon or so if I’m using Dijon mustard.
    • Cheese: I’ve used a number of combinations of cheeses. Feel free to use the types of shredded cheese that you like.
    • Peas: I don’t thaw the peas before using. I recommend checking for chunks of ice before adding the peas so that you don’t end up with watery mac and cheese.

    Plate of macaroni and cheese with ham and peas on a wooden cutting boardMore Instant Pot pasta recipes!

    • Instant Pot Pizza Pasta
    • Instant Pot Peanut Noodles
    • Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole
    • Instant Pot Beef and Shells

    If you’ve tried this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham and Peas recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

    You can FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST or INSTAGRAM even more delicious food.

    Plate of macaroni and cheese with ham and peas on a wooden cutting board
    Print Pin
    4.5 from 2 votes

    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham and Peas

    Easy mac and cheese with ham and peas is a simple dump-and-go recipe that's made entirely in the Instant Pot!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Keyword Instant Pot mac and cheese with ham and peas, Instant Pot mac and cheese with ham and peas recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 4 minutes
    Time to Pressure 10 minutes
    Total Time 24 minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 445kcal
    Author Cook Dinner Tonight

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot/Electric Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces dry shaped pasta
    • 3-5 cups water
    • 12 ounce can evaporated milk
    • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
    • Salt and pepper
    • 8 ounces shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
    • 8 ounces shredded Cheddar Cheese
    • 1 ½ cups cooked diced ham
    • 1 cup frozen peas

    Instructions

    • Add pasta to the inner pot of the pressure cooker.
    • Add enough water cover pasta by 1 inch. Depending on the shape of the pasta, it usually takes 3-5 cups of water.
    • Lock lid in place, and turn pressure release valve to SEALING.
    • Cook on MANUAL/HIGH pressure for 4 minutes.
    • Carefully turn pressure release valve to VENTING.
    • Unlock lid, and drain pasta.
    • Return pasta to inner pot.
    • Add milk, salt, pepper, and dry mustard and stir to combine.
    • Press CANCEL.
    • Stir in cheese, and continue stirring until cheese has melted and is combined.
    • Stir in diced ham and frozen peas until combined.

    Notes

    • Pasta: I like to use cavatappi. If you use another type of pasta, you may find that you need to adjust the cooking time. 
    • Evaporated milk: You can use regular, low-fat, or fat-free. 
    • Mustard: If you don't have dry mustard, Dijon mustard makes a good substitute. I use about a teaspoon or so if I'm using Dijon mustard.
    • Cheese: I've used a number of combinations of cheeses. Feel free to use the types of shredded cheese that you like. 
    • Peas: I don't thaw the peas before using. I recommend checking for chunks of ice before adding the peas so that you don't end up with watery mac and cheese. 
    • Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 628mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 583IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 473mg | Iron: 2mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pokemon Fan

      February 15, 2021 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      This mac and cheese is better than other recipes because it has ham and peas. This is a very good recipe. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Kate Dean

        February 15, 2021 at 8:34 pm

        Thank you! Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Jean

      February 20, 2021 at 11:25 am

      4 stars
      Easy, and satisfying. I used regular milk when my can of evaporated milk turned out to be sweetened condensed milk! I added a bit of the pasta water with the warmed milk before adding to the cooked pasta.
      Only thing is that the time to pressure cook the pasta was probably as long as if I’d done it on my stove top. However, I’m trying to use my pressure cooker (ninja foodi) as much as I can to make the purchase worthwhile 🙂
      Made in ninja foodi on hi pressure for 6 minutes so noodles wouldn’t be over cooked. They weren’t!

      Reply

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