Instant Pot Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese is rich, creamy, and loaded with cheddar, asiago, and provolone cheese. Tender pasta is layered with sour cream and melted cheese, then finished with buttery, crispy breadcrumbs for the ultimate comfort food.
I love making this mac and cheese when I want something a little extra special. The Instant Pot makes cooking the pasta easy, and those creamy cheese layers and crunchy topping make it taste like a million bucks!
Why I Love this Recipe
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Cellentani Pasta: The spiral shape holds onto all that creamy cheese sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds a classic, rich mac and cheese flavor.
- Asiago Cheese: Gives the sauce a slightly sharp, nutty flavor.
- Provolone Cheese: Creates an extra cheesy, melted layer.
- Evaporated Milk: Helps make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy.
- Heavy Cream or Milk: Adds richness to the sauce.
- Sour Cream: Makes the mac and cheese extra creamy.
- Butter: Adds flavor and helps crisp the breadcrumb topping.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Create a buttery, crunchy topping.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Red Pepper Flakes: Add savory flavor with a little heat.
- Spicy Mustard: Gives the cheese sauce a little tang.
- Better Than Bouillon: Adds extra savory flavor.
- Water: Cooks the pasta in the Instant Pot.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Million Dollar Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Sauté the Seasonings: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Melt the butter and stir in the seasonings.
Cook the Pasta: Add the water and Cellentani pasta. Secure the lid and cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
Toast the Breadcrumbs: While the pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Add the panko breadcrumbs and cook until golden brown.
Make the Cheese Sauce: Quick release the pressure and return the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Stir in the evaporated milk and heavy cream. Once bubbling, add the cheddar and asiago cheeses, stirring until melted.
Layer the Mac and Cheese: Spread half the pasta mixture in a baking dish. Add the provolone slices, spread the sour cream over them, and top with the remaining pasta.
Finish and Bake: Sprinkle the toasted panko breadcrumbs over the top. Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes.
Tips I Found Helpful 🩵
- Use freshly shredded cheese for a smoother, creamier sauce.
- Stir the cheese in gradually so it melts evenly.
- Toast the panko breadcrumbs until golden brown for the best crunch.
- Spread the sour cream evenly over the provolone for a creamy layer in every bite.
Questions Readers Ask most
Instant Pot Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese
Million Dollar Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, and loaded with three cheeses, a sour cream layer, and buttery panko breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Cellentani pasta
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon chicken flavor
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon spicy mustard
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated asiago cheese
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, spicy mustard, and Better Than Bouillon.
- Add the water and pasta. Secure the lid and cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
- While the pasta cooks, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Add the panko breadcrumbs and cook until golden brown.
- Quick release the pressure and return the Instant Pot to Sauté mode.
- Stir in the evaporated milk and heavy cream. Once the mixture begins to bubble, add the cheddar and asiago cheeses. Stir until melted.
- Spread half the pasta mixture in a baking dish. Layer the provolone slices over the pasta, then spread the sour cream evenly on top.
- Add the remaining pasta and sprinkle with toasted panko breadcrumbs.
- Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes.
Notes
For the creamiest sauce, shred the cheese yourself. Toast the panko breadcrumbs before adding them to the casserole for a golden, crunchy topping.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 935Total Fat: 58gSaturated Fat: 34gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 159mgSodium: 1821mgCarbohydrates: 65gFiber: 6gSugar: 11gProtein: 38g
Love Butter Ball Turkey’s flavor. Grew up trusting the quality of this beans!
Brand
Made the Million Dollar Mac and Cheese using half and half and evaporated milk. Used sharp cheddar and the asiago and the provolone slices. I only used a pinch of the red pepper flakes. It was delicious!
Glad you liked it 🙂
I made this tonight and it is delicious. I was wondering, the order of ingredients listed should be arranged in the order they are used. I didn’t see that the Better than Bouillon at the end of ingredients until I had already started the pasta in the pot. I added it after and it all worked but just think having all the ingredients in order of addition would be helpful! Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe!! 🙂
I agree. My pasta is cooking right now and there isn’t any boullion in mine..
Mind either! Totally missed the bouillon!!!
What size IP is this made in??
Do you think it will be difficult to mix in the evaporated milk and cream if I double the recipe?
I made this dish and it is worth “A million dollars”. So yummy and creamy. I did add another cheese, shredded Monterey Jack for some extra spice. It sure won’t be around here very long. Thank you for the delicious recipe.
I would like add shrimp to the recipe. Should I sauté them on top of the stove and then add to the Insta Pot ?
Carla,
I have purchased several Instantpit cookbooks, but your recipes are the BEST! I made the taco bowl and also the taco with rigatoni..both were huge hits.
Thank you so much.
Rosemary
I’m so happy to hear that 😊
Made this ! Skipped the mustard and added jerk seasoning. Sooooooo good !
Oh and also cooked noodles in 2 cups chicken broth and 1 cup water instead of 3 cups water .
Hello,
When do you add in the spicy mustard?
Thank you,
Nicole
Can this be made the day before and do the final bake the day after? I love this recipe, but I wanna prep it today for tomorrow!
@Jillian, I came here hoping for the same answer ugh
Yes
This was SO delicious and EASY to make! My family loved it! I used store bought shredded asiago and sharp cheddar. I heard my son go down for more as a midnight snack.😀 This is a new family fave that I will continue to make for years to come!!