Mac and Cheese and Meatballs
This one’s an entire comfort-food casserole in one pot! The dish is a pretty standard mac and cheese, combined with meatballs— a fusion of two favorite comfort foods in every serving. You can use frozen beef or pork mini meatballs (so long as they are 1/2–1 ounce each). However, we found that turkey meatballs have a milder flavor, so the dish tasted more like cheese than meat— that is, more the way a mac and cheese should taste.
Servings Prep Time
4servings 5minutes
Cook Time
28minutes
Servings Prep Time
4servings 5minutes
Cook Time
28minutes
Ingredients
  • 4cups chicken or vegetable broth1 quart
  • 1lb mini or bite-­sized frozen turkey meatballs(even vegan and/or gluten-­free meatballs, if that’s a concern), 1/2-1 ounce each
  • 4tbsp butter1/2 stick
  • 2tsp stemmed fresh thyme leavesor 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1tsp onion powder
  • 1tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2tsp table salt
  • 16ounce elbow macaronior gluten-­free elbow macaroni, not “giant” or “jumbo” macaroni
  • 12ounces shredded cheddarSwiss, mozzarella, Havarti, Monterey Jack, or other semi-­firm cheese, or even a blend of cheeses (3 cups)
  • 1ounce finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano1/2 cup
  • 1/2cup heavy creamor light cream, but not “fat-­free”
Instructions
  1. Press the button SAUTÉ. Set it for HIGH, MORE, or CUSTOM 400°F and set the timer for 10 minutes.
  2. Mix the broth, meatballs, butter, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in an Instant Pot. Heat until many wisps of steam rise from the liquid. Turn off the SAUTÉ function. Stir in the macaroni and lock the lid onto the pot.
  3. Option 1 Max Pressure Cooker
    Press Pressure cook on Max pressure for 5 minutes with the Keep Warm setting off.
  4. Option 2 All Pressure Cookers
    Press Meat/Stew or Pressure cook (Manual) on High pressure for 6 minutes with the Keep Warm setting off. The valve must be closed.
  5. Use the quick-­release method to bring the pot’s pressure back to normal. Unlatch the lid and open the cooker.
  6. Press the button SAUTÉ. Set it for HIGH, MORE, or CUSTOM 400°F and set the timer for 5 minutes.
  7. Stir in the shredded cheese, grated Parmesan, and cream until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Turn off the SAUTÉ function; set the lid askew over the pot and let sit for a couple of minutes. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes

Beyond
• For more heft, stir in up to 2 cups packed baby spinach or kale at the same time as the cheese and cream.
• Garnish the servings with minced chives, stemmed and minced fresh parsley leaves, ground black pepper, grated nutmeg, and/or red pepper flakes.