Imagine diving into a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese that's bursting with crispy bacon bits and ready in just 30 minutes! This Instant Pot Next Level Bacon Mac isn't just another pasta dish - it's a game-changing recipe that transforms ordinary mac and cheese into a mouthwatering masterpiece. With perfectly cooked pasta, rich cheddar sauce, and smoky bacon crumbles, this recipe will have your family and friends begging for seconds and wondering how you created such magic in record time.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Measure out all ingredients and have them ready near your Instant Pot. Crumble bacon if not already done, shred cheese, and measure liquids.
- Add macaroni, water, and salt to the Instant Pot inner pot. Stir gently to ensure pasta is mostly submerged in water.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to sealing position. Select Manual or Pressure Cook mode and set timer for 4 minutes at high pressure.
- Once cooking cycle completes, perform a quick release by carefully moving the valve to venting position to release remaining steam.
- Open lid and check pasta for doneness. If needed, drain any excess water, leaving just a small amount of cooking liquid.
- Immediately add shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and black pepper. Stir vigorously to create a creamy sauce, allowing residual heat to melt cheese.
- Fold in crumbled bacon, mixing thoroughly to distribute evenly throughout the mac and cheese.
- Let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken. Serve hot, garnishing with additional bacon crumbles if desired.
Tips
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest, most luxurious sauce - pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
- Don't drain all the cooking liquid; a small amount helps create a silky, creamy texture when mixing in the cheese.
- Stir vigorously when adding cheese to ensure a smooth, even sauce without clumps.
- For extra crispy bacon, consider quickly broiling or pan-frying additional bacon crumbles as a garnish.
- If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when mixing in the cheese.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute milk with half-and-half or use reduced-fat cheese without sacrificing flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 16g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 50mg
