Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda and Caramelized Onions
By :The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook by Coco Morante
Votes: 9
Rating: 5
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Difficulty Easy
Browse Category Kid-Friendly, Rice & Pastas
Duration 30-60 min
Cooking Technique Pressure Cook, Sauté
Main Ingredient Gouda cheese, Parmesan cheese, Pasta
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Passive Time 15 minutes
Servings
8 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (chicken broth recipe below)
  • 3 cups tightly packed shredded Gouda cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Chicken Broth
  • 1 tsp avocado oil or other neutral oil with high smoke point
  • 2 1/2 lbs bony chicken parts (such as drumsticks, wings, necks, and backs)
  • 3 celery stalks cut into 3-inch lengths
  • 2 medium carrots halved lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 3-inch lengths
  • 1 medium yellow onion cut into wedges
  • 3 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 cups Water
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Difficulty Easy
Browse Category Kid-Friendly, Rice & Pastas
Duration 30-60 min
Cooking Technique Pressure Cook, Sauté
Main Ingredient Gouda cheese, Parmesan cheese, Pasta
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Passive Time 15 minutes
Servings
8 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (chicken broth recipe below)
  • 3 cups tightly packed shredded Gouda cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Chicken Broth
  • 1 tsp avocado oil or other neutral oil with high smoke point
  • 2 1/2 lbs bony chicken parts (such as drumsticks, wings, necks, and backs)
  • 3 celery stalks cut into 3-inch lengths
  • 2 medium carrots halved lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 3-inch lengths
  • 1 medium yellow onion cut into wedges
  • 3 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 cups Water
Votes: 9
Rating: 5
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
Instructions
  1. Select the high Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and melt the butter. Add the onion and sauté for about 10 minutes, until the onion begins to brown. Add the macaroni and broth. Stir to combine, using a wooden spoon to nudge loose any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  2. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Press the Cancel button to reset the cooking program, then select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting and set the cooking time for 6 minutes at high pressure. (The pot will take about 10 minutes to come up to pressure before the cooking program begins.)
  3. When the cooking program ends, perform a quick pressure release by moving the Pressure Release to Venting. Open the pot and stir in the Gouda, Parmesan, half-and-half, mustard, and pepper. Let stand for 5 minutes, until thickened, then stir again.
  4. Spoon the macaroni and cheese into bowls and serve hot.
Chicken Broth
  1. Select the Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and heat the avocado oil. Using tongs, place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the pot and cook, flipping once, for about 5 minutes on each side, until browned. Don’t worry if some skin sticks to the pot. Add the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, salt, peppercorns, and bay leaf to the pot and then the water, pouring slowly to prevent splashing. Make sure the pot is no more than two-thirds full.
  2. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Press the Cancel button to reset the cooking program, then select the Soup/Broth setting and set the cooking time for 50 minutes at high pressure.
  3. When the cooking program ends, let the pressure release naturally for 30 minutes, then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. If you like, you can also leave the pot on the Keep Warm setting for up to 10 hours.
  4. Place a wire-mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl or pitcher.
  5. Open the pot and, wearing heat-resistant mitts, lift out the inner pot and pour the broth into the strainer. Discard the bones and vegetables—they will have given up their flavor to the broth. Pour the broth into a fat separator to remove the fat, or chill the broth in the refrigerator until the fat solidifies on top, then scoop off the fat from the surface with a large spoon; if you like, reserve the fat for another use. Let the broth cool to room temperature. (To speed the cooling process, set the bowl in a larger bowl containing an ice bath.)
  6. The broth can be used right away, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 6 months
Recipe Notes

Note: If you like a crisp topping, transfer the macaroni and cheese to a 3-quart broiler-safe baking dish, sprinkle evenly with 1 cup panko bread crumbs, then broil for a few minutes, until the bread crumbs are golden brown, before serving.

9 replies
  1. Vculp03@gmail.com
    Vculp03@gmail.com says:

    Deliciously creamy and satisfying!! Loved the richness, the flavor, and the ease of cooking. Definitely recommend this recipe! It’s even kid-approved 🙂

  2. Sheryl Skory
    Sheryl Skory says:

    This is an excellent recipe and very flavorful! Will definitely make it again. Easier and less ingredients than other recipes I’ve made.

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *