• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes
25 minutes
4.55 from 72 votes
13 Comments

Instant Pot Chili Mac

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 540
by: Joanna Cismaru
01.26.21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for instant pot chili mac.

Easy, cheesy, Instant Pot Chili Mac! This dish is the epitome of comfort food. Combining two classics to create one epic meal, perfect for busy weeknights! Using staple kitchen and pantry ingredients, this recipe is ready in just 25 minutes, all thanks to the instant pot!

a large white bowl with freshly cooked chili mac with a serving spoon inside.

My one pot chili mac & cheese is a big hit on the blog, but I wanted to take it a step further and make it even easier for you all! By using my trusty instant pot, cook time is only about 10 minutes total! This is the perfect meal for back to school or busy weeknights!

Instant Pot Chili Mac

  • One Pot Meal
  • Easy To Make
  • Simple Ingredient List
  • Quick As Can Be
  • Delicious Comfort Food

As you know, I’m all about easy, quick, comfort food. It’s kind of my “thing” which is why this recipe is a favorite of mine! Sometimes the simplest of recipes are the best, and that is exactly what this chili mac is.

Elbow macaroni, tender ground beef, beans, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic and a simple blend of seasonings all cooked in one pot, then mixed with cheddar cheese to create one epic, cheesy comfort food classic.

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make instant pot chili mac.
  • Ground Beef – I used extra lean ground beef for this one.
  • Onion And Garlic – Essential flavor enhancers.
  • Spices – A combination of cayenne pepper, ground cumin, chili powder, salt & pepper.
  • Beans – Canned kidney beans or black beans, rinsed and drained.
  • Diced Tomatoes – I used canned diced tomatoes.
  • Chicken Broth – I always opt for low sodium! If you don’t have any broth on hand, water will work as well.
  • Macaroni – I used classic elbow macaroni of course! You can use any noodle you prefer.
  • Cheese – Cheddar cheese, shredded. Feel free to use your preference, or a combination of cheese and as much cheese as you like.
  • Parsley – Optional, for garnish.

How To Make Instant Pot Chili Mac

process shots showing how to make instant pot chili mac.
  1. Prep Instant Pot: Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. (See your manufacturer’s guide for detailed instructions on how to use your instant pot.)
  2. Cook Beef: Add the ground beef, onion and garlic to the Instant Pot and break up the beef with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.
  3. Add Ingredients: Add the cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, beans, tomatoes, chicken broth and elbow macaroni. Stir well, scraping the bottom to remove any stuck bits. Close the lid.  Seal the valve and set the Instant Pot to Manual/High Pressure for 5 minutes.
  4. Finish and Serve: Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, quick release the pressure, open the lid and stir well. Stir in the cheese and garnish with parsley. Serve.
process shots showing how to finish instant pot chili mac.

FAQs & Expert Tips

FAQs

Can I Make This In The Slow Cooker?

YES! To make in your slow cooker:
Cook the beef, onions, and garlic according to the directions above. Next, combine all ingredients, other than the cheese, in the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours. Check if the pasta has been cooked al dente every 20 minutes after that (sometimes it can take up to an additional hour). Follow the above directions in regards to cheese and garnish.

What Else Can I Add To My Chili Mac?

Feel free to add any ingredients you see fit! I love dishes like these because they’re great pantry cleaners. If you don’t have some of the ingredients I used today, have fun with the substitutes! It’s such a sneaky way to incorporate some veggies into your dinner, especially for those picky eaters!

Can I Make This In Advance?

For those nights where you don’t have even 15 minutes to spare, or you truly don’t feel like prepping ANYTHING, this recipe is still perfect. You can make this instant pot chili mac and freeze it for future meals! Scroll down to “freezing” section for full instructions.

a large white bowl with freshly cooked chili mac with a serving spoon inside.

Tips

  1. Always check your manufacturer’s guide for detailed instructions on how to use your instant pot!
  2. Feel free to leave out the meat to make this dish vegetarian.
  3. You could use different types of proteins if you wish! Ground turkey, chicken etc.
  4. Play around with seasonings and spices to make this dish your own!

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover instant pot chili mac in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Freezing

If freezing, allow the dish to fully cool in a shallow container before placing in the freezer. The chili mac will last for up to 3 months frozen.

a large white bowl with freshly cooked chili mac with a serving spoon inside.

More Great Recipes To Try

  • One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
  • Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
  • Chicken Mac And Cheese
  • World’s Best Chili
  • BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

a large white bowl with freshly cooked chili mac with a serving spoon inside.

Instant Pot Chili Mac

4.55 from 72 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 8
Print Pin Rate
Easy, cheesy, Instant Pot Chili Mac! This dish is the epitome of comfort food. Combining two classics to create one epic meal, perfect for busy weeknights! Using staple kitchen and pantry ingredients, this recipe is ready in just 25 minutes, all thanks to the instant pot!

Equipment

  • Instant Pot – 6 Quart

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef extra lean
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 15 ounce kidney beans or black beans, rinsed and drained (1 can)
  • 26 ounce diced tomatoes (1 can)
  • 4 cups chicken broth or water
  • 12 ounce elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 tablespoon parsley for garnish
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Prep Instant Pot: Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. (See your manufacturer’s guide for detailed instructions on how to use your instant pot.)
  • Cook Beef: Add the ground beef, onion and garlic to the Instant Pot and break up the beef with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.
  • Add Ingredients: Add the cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, beans, tomatoes, chicken broth and elbow macaroni. Stir well, scraping the bottom to remove any stuck bits. Close the lid.  Seal the valve and set the Instant Pot to Manual/High Pressure for 5 minutes.
  • Finish and Serve: Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, quick release the pressure, open the lid and stir well. Stir in the cheese and garnish with parsley. Serve.

Recipe Notes

  1. Always check your manufacturer’s guide for detailed instructions on how to use your instant pot!
  2. Feel free to leave out the meat to make this dish vegetarian.
  3. You could use different types of proteins if you wish! Ground turkey, chicken etc.
  4. Play around with seasonings and spices to make this dish your own!
  5. Store leftover instant pot chili mac in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
  6. If freezing, allow the dish to fully cool in a shallow container before placing in the freezer. The chili mac will last for up to 3 months frozen.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1servingCalories: 488kcal (24%)Carbohydrates: 52g (17%)Protein: 32g (64%)Fat: 17g (26%)Saturated Fat: 9g (56%)Trans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 67mg (22%)Sodium: 693mg (30%)Potassium: 859mg (25%)Fiber: 7g (29%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 803IU (16%)Vitamin C: 12mg (15%)Calcium: 282mg (28%)Iron: 5mg (28%)
Course:Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine:American
Keyword:chili mac, chili mac and cheese, instant pot chili mac
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 540

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

freshly made chicken piccata in a skillet garnished with parsley and lemon wedges.
Previous Post
Lemon Chicken Piccata
closeup of no bake nutella cheesecake in individual glass bowls.
Next Post
No Bake Nutella Cheesecake

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Katie Corum says

    November 16, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe! I had a lot of liquid after cooking so I added some Tomato Paste to thicken it up. I did not add cheese to the pot and added it as needed to individual servings. Pretty tasty!

    Reply
  2. Gina P says

    October 14, 2021 at 6:44 am

    I thought this would be too much cheese so I just put it on the table for my family to use as little or as much as they liked. I also used Rotel and added a can of corn. I drained everything and used beef broth. The game changer for us was when I brought out the sour cream. A spoonful mixed into our bowls put this over the edge! So good! This will be a regular in our house!

    Reply
  3. Lena says

    October 12, 2021 at 7:27 pm

    I’m planning on bringing this to a potluck and would like to make a little extra. If I use 1 1/2 pound of meat and add a 1/2 portion to all the other ingredients, will it all fit in the 6 quart IP?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      October 13, 2021 at 9:39 am

      Hmmm good question. I think it should be fine, when you’re making it just make sure it’s below the max line. Let me know how it turns out.

      Reply
  4. Peter Vermilye says

    September 5, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    5 stars
    Made this easily. Only comment I have is that there was more liquid in the pot when I opened the lid. I used Rotel diced tomatoes (the hot ones). Perhaps I should have drained them first. I compensated by adding A LOT of cheese (who doesn’t like cheese, after all).

    Reply
  5. Ashley Chambliss says

    August 9, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    I am wanting to make this tonight, but want to add less noodles and more beans. Should I adjust the amount of liquid?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      August 9, 2021 at 5:28 pm

      Yes, if you’re adding less noodles, you have to adjust the liquid.

      Reply
  6. Cathy Todd says

    July 4, 2021 at 9:36 am

    Can I sub beef broth for the chicken? Sounds Like a great recipe!
    Thanks, Cathy

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      July 4, 2021 at 11:26 am

      Sure you can!

      Reply
  7. Melissa Hartley says

    February 1, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    Could I add a packet of dry ranch dressing mix to this, along with all the other ingredients? Thanks, can’t wait to make this tomorrow!!

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      February 1, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      Absolutely! You can add whatever you like to make it your own!

      Reply
  8. D. ROSS says

    January 27, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    Hi there! Great looking recipe 🙂 I only have a three quart instant pot, do you think it necessary to half the recipe or would the three quart hold it all? Thanks so much, I’m rely enjoying your site!

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      January 27, 2021 at 1:36 pm

      You may need to half it! As long as all the ingredients fit it will work, but I can’t guarantee! You can also make this with a regular pot if your instant pot is too small! You can check out my original chili mac and cheese if that helps 🙂

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Favorites

black pepper chicken on a bed of rice on a black plate.

Black Pepper Chicken

a slice of pastitsio on a black plate.

Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

side view shot of a piece of eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce in a white plate garnished with parsley and a piece cut out and held by a fork

Eggplant Parmesan

side view shot chicken souvlaki skewers with a little tzatziki on a plate

Chicken Souvlaki

yakisoba noodles with chicken and vegetables in a large serving platter.

Yakisoba

pouring lemon sauce over fried chicken.

Chinese Lemon Chicken

a chicken gyro wrapped in paper and topped with lots of tzatziki sauce with another gyro in the background

Chicken Gyros

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

Air Fryer Recipes

a roasted chicken on a serving platter along some roasted root veggies.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

apple pie bombs on a white plate with the top one cut in half.

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

3 cooked chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

air fried chicken drumsticks in a basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

cooked chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

eggs inside an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

hands pulling apart a mozzarella stick with the rest in the background

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

freshly made bread in air fryer on a cutting board cut into slices.

Air Fryer No Knead Bread

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
asian green beans in a wok.

Asian

overhead shot of a spoon taking a bite of italian meatball soup

Italian

freshly made pozole rojo in a dutch oven.

Mexican

mititei on a plate with mustard and french fries.

Romanian

a stack of roti wrapped in a clean kitchen towel.

Indian

freshly made hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with tomatoes cucumbers and olives.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

roast chicken with roast potatoes on a roaster.

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
lifehack logo.
buzzfeed logo.
mashable logo.
woman's day logo.
health logo.
better homes & gardens logo.
delish logo.
healthline logo.
nbc news logo.
blogloving logo.
university of washington logo.
shape logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2022 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!