Smoked Gouda Instant Pot Mac and Cheese — a family favorite: ultra creamy smoked gouda mac and cheese capped off with everything seasoning and fresh chives. Best yet, it’s on the table start-to-finish in 15 mins.

I’m not sure if I should be proud of ashamed of the fact that we make macaroni and cheese around here at least a couple of times a month. It all started when Christina enlightened us with her small-batch Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe, and since then we’ve put every spin on it I can think of. Of note, we did this Miso Mac n’ Cheddar for Valentine’s Day this year (Chris and I have eaten mac and cheese every Valentine’s Day for 13 years running, and I don’t see it changing any time soon…), and it was so sublimely savory and creamy. But this one that we’re talking about today — this little smoked gouda mac and cheese number, guys. Well, it’s gonna be hard to beat.

The impetus of this recipe began, as is the case for many a journey of glutton, with a fridge clean-out. Half a tub of sour cream. A leftover hunk of smoked gouda that was in desperate need of a haircut. Instantly, I knew we had the beginnings of something great. And, handily, near-instantly it was on our dinner table thanks to this whole Instant Pot mac and cheese method that is nothing if not game-changing. (Related note: this is the Instant Pot we have, and if you don’t already own one, I would invest it in for this recipe, alone.)

The Best Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

On its own, sans any garnish or topping, this recipe comes together with 5-6 ingredients in 15 mins. (A variable number, because grated parm is excellent alongside the gouda, but if your cheese drawer is looking slim, another whopping handful of the gouda will do in its place.) BUT! If you’re digging the subtle deli vibe that this smoked gouda mac and cheese already has going on, do yourself the favor of two more ingredients and top that shit with a little everything seasoning and some fresh chopped chives. If you must, steam some broccoli to go alongside — I’ll allow it — and then serve it to the mass appeal of your family or friends, who are now most certainly convinced that you are a maker of magic, a bringer of heavenly gifts, the Patron Saint of Dairy.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, friends!
xo,
Em

p.s. A little housekeeping! Have you subscribed to P&Q emails? They’re the easiest way to stay up to date on what we’re cooking, and they only hit your inbox once every week or so — nothing spammy, I promise. Also! I recently joined fashion and lifestyle site The Mom Edit as a Food & Style contributor, so be sure to follow along there for new original recipes, family-friendly recipe round-ups, and, yes *gasp!* even fashion picks from yours truly. (I know you’re all like I need another excuse to online shop like I need a hole in my head… and to that I’m like don’t lie to yourself, what else are you going to do while you’re hiding from your kid in the bathroom…) Anyway, I rounded up my Must-Have Gadgets for a Family-Friendly Kitchen and my picks from J.Crew’s epic Memorial Day Weekend Sale (featuring a mini shopping companion in every dressing room selfie — ha!). Check it out, friends. Peace!

Like this Smoked Gouda Instant Pot Mac and Cheese?

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• Endless Summer Noodle Bowls
• Ultimate Summer BLT Bowls
• Grilled Artichoke + Cherry Tomato Pasta with Parm, Parsley and Garlic Toast Crumbs
• Spicy Caramelized SPAM + Scallion Pasta

Smoked Gouda Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

 

Print

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

Smoked Gouda Instant Pot Mac and Cheese -- a family favorite: ultra creamy smoked gouda mac and cheese capped off with everything seasoning and fresh chives. Best yet, it's on the table start-to-finish in 15 mins.

By: Emily Stoffel

Makes: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb shell pasta, macaroni or other short pasta shape of choice
• 4 cups veggie stock
• 2 T salted butter
• 2 heaping cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
• 1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• everything seasoning + chopped scallions, for serving

Instructions

1. Add pasta to Instant Pot. Add broth and butter and stir briefly to combine. Cook on MANUAL High Pressure setting for 6 minutes. Quick release pressure.
2. Stir sour cream and cheddar cheeses into pasta until combined. (If sauce is too thin, switch Instant Pot to SAUTE and heat through until thickened, a few mins.)
3. Serve topped with everything seasoning + fresh chopped chives.

Notes

In case you're wondering, this is the Instant Pot model we have and it's got plenty enough features (and the capacity is great for a small family, too!).

3.4.3177

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