This Instant Pot Chili Mac is a one pot meal the family will love! With a little spice, lean ground beef, whole grain macaroni and lots of cheese!
I know lots of kids are back to school already, but here we still have a few weeks to go.
I’m starting to get the itch to go back to regular weeknight meals, dinners around the table (not that I’m hating on our daily picnics!), early bedtimes and routine. Anyone else?
We’re no stranger to chili mac around here, and it’s one of our favorite meals!
What to love about chili mac:
- It’s hearty — with ground beef, beans, and whole grain macaroni it’s got loads of fiber and protein to keep everyone going when life is crazy.
- It’s comforting — perfect for a rainy day, a cloudy day, or just a day when only cheesy carbs will do
- It’s easy — with just a couple things to chop and brown, it’s a true one pot meal made completely in the Pressure Cooker in just a couple minutes!
- This Instant Pot version is mostly hands off (after the browning) and cooks in 2 minutes, meaning you can set it and forget it for a few minutes while you put your feet up!
Tips for making Instant Pot pasta:
Since I started making pasta in the Instant Pot I haven’t gone back! It’s so quick and totally hands off, making for easy one pot pressure cooker meals on a regular basis.
There are a few tricks to it though, and I’ve found that a lot of recipes call for way too long a cook time for pasta, resulting in an unappetizing mushy mess and then people are hesitant to try again.
Let me tell you, it can be done, and it can be done well! The secret?
A shorter cook time.
I understand the general rule of them is half of the cook time listed on the box.
I’m going to be bold enough here to say that I think this is, in fact, generally incorrect. That cook time is way too long.
For most short cuts of pasta, 2 minutes is plenty, and if you like your pasta very al dente, even 1 minute is likely enough for some cuts.
How to lighten up this Instant Pot Chili Mac:
- Use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter meal
- Up the veggies — try adding mushrooms, chopped carrots, more peppers, zucchini, really anything you think would go well! The cook time is short enough that most chopped veggies will be fine.
- Use low fat cheese instead of full fat cheese
Tools you’ll need for this Instant Pot recipe:
These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents if you click through and make a purchase.
- I use a 6 quart Instant Pot with bluetooth for most of my recipes — I know that things sometimes cook differently in the 8 quart.
- You’ll need some good hard utensils to scrape the bottom after browning to ensure you don’t get a burn message. I love a good wooden spoon!
Instant Pot Chili Mac
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (2 if you like it spicy!)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 3 cups low sodium beef or chicken broth
- 1 can red kidney beans or black beans rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups tomato pasta sauce
- 340-375 grams whole grain macaroni (about 12-13oz)
- 1/2 cup low fat milk
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute. Cook ground beef, onion and red pepper until beef is browned. Drain any juices.
- On saute, add chili powder, salt, garlic and cumin. Cook and stir 1 minute.
- Add broth and scrape the bottom to ensure any stuck on bits are removed.
- Turn Instant Pot off and stir in beans.
- Top with pasta sauce (spread over the top but don’t stir) and macaroni. Press pasta down into the liquid and spread into an even layer, but don’t stir.
- Put the lid on, turn the valve to sealing, and select Pressure Cook or Manual for 2 minutes.
- When the cook time is over, do a controlled release of the pressure (slowly release the pressure by holding the valve slightly open but not all of the way).
- Remove the lid and stir — some macaroni may appear dry or stuck together but once you stir it will be perfect.
- Stir in milk and cheese until cheese is melted. Serve.
Nutrition Information
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Avi says
I subbed the ground beef for vegetarian chorizo and added an extra can of pinto beans. This recipe is great and the macaroni comes out perfect! Reheats really well too.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Avi!
Angel says
This recipe is absolutely phenomenal. It was loaded with flavor and the pasta was perfectly cooked. We liked it so much that I’ll probably not make (soupy) chili anymore. This was so simple too.
I did 2 things differently but wouldn’t change up the flavor. I used frozen diced green peppers and onions because I had them. I also did not add the milk and cheese in the end. My husband is careful with dairy. I did, however, add cheese on mine after I served it.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Angel! I’m so happy you liked it!
Christy says
I made this for dinner tonight, I was a little gun-shy as the last time I tried pasta in my IP it was waaaaay over cooked and icky. This turned out amazing! The flavor was incredible and the pasta was perfect. Thank You for a quick and super tasty meal!
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Christy! I’m so glad you gave it a try!
Corrie says
Yu,, yum, yum! We measured nothing, and used a whole bag of maraconi and upped the tomato sauce. Perfectly al dente.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m glad it worked out!
Joy Colbert says
If I double the recipe do I have to double up on the time
Ashley Fehr says
No the cook time will stay the same
Ashley says
I’m going to attempt this tonight! I’m a newbie when it comes to this way of cooking. I have jusr under 2.5lbs of meat to work with, omitting beans, and have an 8qt. Would you recommend doubling the rest of the ingredients or leaving them as they are since there will be no beans?
Ashley Fehr says
I think you should be fine with the ingredients the way they are! I’d love to hear how it goes 🙂
Heatherly says
This was so easy to make and it turned out so good! I didn’t have any dairy milk on-hand so I used a combination of 2% Greek yogurt thinned down with unsweetened cashew milk and the consistency was perfect. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that!
Mary Fry says
Delicious & very easy. I made it as the recipe states. I did added chili peppers on mine & it made it pop with flavor. My boys like it so i will be making it again. Thank you for great recipes for instapot!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Mary! I’m glad to hear that!
Abbey says
How do you think this would freeze?
Ashley Fehr says
I think it would freeze great! The pasta will be slightly softer after being frozen and reheated
Shawna-Lee says
This meal was fabulous! Easy, quick and the whole family loved it! That in itself definitely makes this recipe a keeper. Used kidney beans and added a can of corn. Delicious!!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for leaving a comment!
Katie says
Looks delicious!! For the “Tomato Pasta Sauce”, are we talking marinara sauce? Or actual Tomato sauce? Thank you!! Can’t wait to try this
Ashley Fehr says
Marinara sauce or whichever seasoned tomato pasta sauce you enjoy! Thanks Katie!
Audrey says
My 12 year old winced when he saw me cutting up the red pepper. “Is that for dinner?”
He had 2 heaping bowls.
It was delicious! Thank you! I’ve made several of your recipes and all have been great. The pot roast is to die for!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Audrey! It makes me so happy to hear that!
Meg says
Tried this tonight and both me and the boyfriend loved it! Will definitely be making again. Can’t wait to try more of your instant pot recipes!
Ps. I’m also a Fehr from Manitoba, small world eh? 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
That is too funny! Thanks Meg! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Becky Hardin says
Love that I make this delicious dish in my instant pot. Huge hit here!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Becky! It’s a huge hit here too!
Stephanie says
This chili mac was so delicious! It reminds of my grandma who use to make this for us all the time as a kid.
Ashley Fehr says
It’s one of my kids favorites too!
Rachael Yerkes says
The perfect recipe for fall
Ashley Fehr says
It’s so cozy!
Taylor says
My family would LOVE this recipe! SO easy and delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Mine do for sure!
Toni says
This is my kids’ new favorite weeknight meal! So delish!
Ashley Fehr says
It’s one of ours too!
Gina Matsoukas says
Just tried this and it was delicious! I will definitely be making it again!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gina! I’m so glad to hear that!
Jenn says
Dinners like this make my world go round! Love that I can make a tasty pot of chili mac in my IP and with so little effort! xoxo
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! And no extra pots!
Kiley says
Made this as written. I used black beans. My 7 and 9 year old sons each had second helpings! Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
It makes me so happy to hear that Kiley!