An Easy Instant Pot Recipe Everyone Can Enjoy
There’s nothing better than coming home from a long day and having a delicious, home cooked meal ready in a matter of minutes. That’s exactly what the Instant Pot gives to Sports Moms across the nation. It’s freedom from a hot stove without sacrificing health or quality! Check out one of my favorite Instant Pot recipes below, it’s one of the first recipes I tried and it’s super easy for moms that are new to the Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham and Peas
If you have young kids, you can’t go wrong with Mac and Cheese. So when I stumbled upon this Instant Pot recipe, I knew it would be a big hit in our home.
Ingredients
4 cups of water, 1 (16 ounce) package of elbow macaroni, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard powder, 1 (12 fluid ounce) can of evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon of hot sauce, 1/3 cup of whole milk, 2 cups of shredded 2% milk cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, ½ cup of frozen peas, defrosted, 1 cup of diced (cooked) ham, and salt and black pepper to taste.
This meal is ready in 44 minutes, with 25 minutes of prep time and 14 minutes of cook time.
Directions
Combine water, macaroni, hot sauce, mustard powder, and salt in the Instant Pot. Close lid and time for 4 minutes. Set to high pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions (10 to 15 minutes).
Next, release pressure using the quick-release method (about 5 minutes). Remove lid, switch to Low Saute function by pressing Saute once and Adjust twice. Stir macaroni to separate any clumps.
Finally, stir evaporated milk, butter, and milk into the pot. Add the cheddar and Monterey Jack gradually, stirring until melted. Stir in the ham and peas and season with salt and pepper.
There’s a learning curve with the Instant Pot, so make sure you’ve taken the time to read the directions. This is the perfect first meal for your Instant Pot because it’s easy and it’s Mac and Cheese—pretty hard to mess up! I’m not a cook at all, so having the Instant Pot has helped give my kids quality meals without me stressing out!