Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese

Trying out Mac N Cheese in the new pressure cooker.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (2 cups) elbow macaroni
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• pinch cayenne pepper (or 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 (12‑ounce) can evaporated milk
• Optional - 2 ounces of cream cheese
• 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
• 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (1 cup)
• Optional - 1/2 cup crushed goldfish crumbs w/ 1 ounce more shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Mix macaroni, water, 1 teaspoon salt, mustard, butter, and cayenne/Sriracha together in pressure cooker pot. The water may barely cover the noodles.
   
   
2. Lock pressure cooker lid in place and bring to high pressure over high heat. As soon as pot reaches high pressure, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes, adjusting heat as needed to maintain high pressure.
   (The 5 minute time is 1 minute over 1/2 of the typical 9 minute cook time for my elbow pasta.)
3. Use the quick release method to release the pressure: Remove pot from heat. Pour water over lid until the pressure releases. Release pressure locks, then carefully remove lid, allowing any remaining steam to escape away from you.
4. Stir in the evaporated milk and simmer over medium heat until sauce has thickened and pasta is tender, 3 minutes or so.
   (The picture below shows just after I added in the evaporated milk with about 2 ounces of cream cheese.)
   
   
   
5. Remove the pot from the heat, and stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, a handful at a time, until cheese has melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Option: Spray a baking dish with PAM. Dump mac-n-cheese in the baking dish, sprinkle with goldfish & cheese crumbs. Dust lightly with paprika. Broil for 2 or 3 minutes.

Carole's Notes:

This makes a fast creamy Mac n Cheese. We also like to add 7 ounces of green chilis to it, or sausage and spinach. (Other recipes may be linked in later.)

The recipe was lightly adapted from http://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/macaroni-and-cheese-in-the-pressure-cooker-and-a-giveaway/