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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Chili Mac

    By: Jessica · Posted: Jun 8, 2019 · Updated: Jan 12, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe 5 comments
    5 from 5 votes

    Instant Pot Chili Mac: An easy weeknight meal or the ultimate comfort food! This hearty chili mac is made in under 30 minutes in just one pot for easy clean-up.

    With so many Instant Pot favorites around here, this recipe is NO exception!

    Instant pot chili mac in white bowl
    Instant Pot Chili Mac

     
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients for Instant Pot Chili Mac
    • How to Make Instant Pot Chili Mac
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Equipment
    • Expert Tips and FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Substitutions
    • Comments

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    This recipe, like the Instant Pot Cajun Pasta that we love so much too, is perfect for those busy weeknights and last-minute dinner ideas because you can keep the ingredients on hand! Made with lots of cheese, elbow pasta, lean ground beef, and other pantry ingredients that you almost always have!

    A one-pot meal is my favorite type of meal because it takes much less time to clean up. All you have to do is throw the instant pot in the dishwasher when you’re done!

    Hearty meals like instant pot chili mac, white chicken chili, or this Frito chili pie are the ultimate comfort food for dreary days. They’re the perfect pick-me-up for the whole family. (Especially this crock pot goulash if you’re feeding the family!)

    Ingredients for Instant Pot Chili Mac

    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 1 lb lean ground beef (see more ground beef recipes for dinner)
    • 1 red onion (chopped)
    • 1 green bell pepper (diced)
    • 1 can (15oz)kidney beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 can (28oz) diced tomatoes
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 4 ½ cups elbow macaroni
    • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
    • ¼ cup chopped green onions

    Similar ingredients are used in this hamburger mac and cheese recipe!

    Ingredients for instant pot chili mac
    Ingredients

    How to Make Instant Pot Chili Mac

    1. Press saute mode on the Instant Pot, add oil and wait 3 minutes.
    2. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and saute, during cooking, with the help of a wooden spoon, break it into small pieces. Cook the meat long enough for it to be fully brown.
    3. Add onion and bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes until the onion is softened.
    beef, onions in instant pot
    ground beef, peppers and onions
    1. Add the rest of the ingredients except ½ cup of cheddar cheese and green onions. Give it a good stir.
    Instant pot chili mac
    beans, tomatoes, cheese, pasta
    1. Close the lid, and place the valve on sealing mode. Select high pressure and cook for 5 minutes. (Keep in mind that it will take about 20 minutes for the pressure to rise and start cooking)
    2. Once cooked, release the pressure immediately, open the lid, and stir.
    instant pot chili mac and cheese
    Cooked pasta
    1. Serve in a hot bowl, add more cheese and green onion.

    Substitutions

    Here are a few substitutions for you in case you’re out of a particular ingredient or follow a certain diet…

    • Impossible meat – For instant pot vegetarian mac, you can use impossible meat or another plant-based meat.
    • Different noodles – If you don’t have macaroni pasta or cavatappi noodles, you can use bow-tie, rotini noodles, or penne noodles.
    • Ground turkey – If you’re out of ground beef or rather use another type of meat, you can use ground turkey instead.
    • Black beans – Kidney beans and/or black beans work great in this recipe so feel free to use your favorite or add half and half.

    Variations

    Although this recipe is hearty and delicious as is, there are a few ways you can spice it up…

    • Extra cheese – Topping classic chili and instant pot chili mac with extra cheese is one of my favorite things. The cheese melts and adds this ooey gooey texture.
    • Sour cream – You can also top this pressure cookie chili mac with sour cream or a dollop of greek yogurt. (unsweetened greek yogurt!)
    • Spicier – Adding a little extra spice to easy recipes is never a bad idea! Top with cayenne pepper or chili flakes for extra zing.
    pasta with beans in white bowl

    Storage

    You can store this chili mac in the fridge for up to 4 days. Leftover chili mac is just as delicious as fresh chili mac and it’s super convenient. Store in an airtight container to preserve freshness.

    You can also store this pressure cooker chili mac in the freezer for up to 5 months. Make sure you use a freezer-safe container and freeze into separate servings so you can thaw single servings at a time.

    Equipment

    You’ll need an Instant Pot or another pressure cookie for this chili mac recipe. You can order an Instant Pot online or find one at your local Walmart or grocery store.

    2 bowls of chili mac with spoons on white table

    Expert Tips and FAQs

    What is the difference between goulash and chili mac?

    Goulash and chili mac are very similar in the sense they are a one-pot meal with ground beef, tomatoes, pasta, cheese, etc. but American goulash doesn’t contain beads.

    Is chili mac a midwest thing?

    Instant pot chili mac with beans is a common Midwest meal or side dish. It’s great for game day parties, neighborhood gatherings, and other laid-back events.

    Why did my chili burn in the instant pot?

    The burn message on your instant pot simply means that the inner pot of your instant pot has gotten too hot. You might have a small amount of burnt chili mac in the bottom of your pot but not enough to ruin the whole dish.

    Instant pot chili mac recipe
    Cheesy Chili Mac

    Related Recipes

    If you’re a fan of chili, you’ll also love this classic chili recipe and this white chicken chili. I love making chili because it keeps well in the fridge and is perfect for leftovers.

    Recipe

    Instant Pot Chili Mac

    Jessica Burgess
    An easy weeknight meal or the ultimate comfort food! This hearty chili mac is a made in under 30 minutes in just one pot for easy clean up.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 638 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 red onion chopped
    • 1 green bell pepper diced
    • 15 ounces kidney beans drained and rinsed 1 can
    • 28 ounces diced tomatoes
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 4 ½ cups elbow macaroni
    • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
    • ¼ cup chopped green onions

    Instructions
     

    • Press saute mode on the Instant Pot, add oil and wait 3 minutes.
    • Once the oil is hot, add the impossible meat or ground beef and saute, during cooking, with the help of a wooden spoon, break it into small pieces. Cook the meat long enough for it to be fully brown.
    • Add onion and bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes until the onion is softened.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients except ½ cup of cheddar cheese and green onions. Give it a good stir.
    • Close the lid, and place the valve on sealing mode. Select high pressure and cook for 5 minutes. (Keep in mind that it will take about 20 minutes for the pressure to rise and start cooking)
    • Once cooked, release the pressure immediately, open the lid, and stir.
    • Serve in a hot bowl, add more cheese and green onion.

    Notes

    Substitutions

    Here are a few substitutions for you in case you’re out of a particular ingredient or follow a certain diet…
    • Impossible meat – For instant pot vegetarian mac, you can use impossible meat or another plant-based meat.
    • Different noodles – If you don’t have macaroni pasta or cavatappi noodles, you can use bow-tie, rotini noodles, or penne noodles.
    • Ground turkey – If you’re our of ground beef or rather use another type of meat, you can use ground turkey instead.
    • Black beans – Kidney beans and/or black beans work great in this recipe so feel free to use your favorite or add half and half.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 638kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 814mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 711IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 5mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords chili and pasta, chili recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    1. Natasha says

      October 18, 2022 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      I could eat this every day, so delicious and very tasty. I’m so glad I tried this chili mac because I just found my new favorite!

      Reply
    2. Kristyn says

      October 14, 2022 at 2:31 pm

      5 stars
      Mmm..I could eat this weekly!! It’s super hearty & packed with flavor! Macaroni & chili together makes the best combination!

      Reply
    3. Sara Welch says

      October 14, 2022 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      This is my kind of comfort food! Easy, delicious and perfect for a busy weeknight; my whole family loved it!

      Reply
    4. Lori says

      April 03, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      This is a great recipe but didn’t see any measurements for the spices. I did some googling and figured it out! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        April 04, 2020 at 3:40 pm

        Hi Lori! The full recipe card with ingredients and amounts is towards the bottom of the post! Sorry if it was hard to find! So glad that you liked the recipe!

        Reply

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    Jessica Burgess of Fantabulosity, slicing an avocado.

    Hi, I'm Jessica! - Owner and Creator of the blog and brand, Fantabulosity.

    I’m here to teach you how to make quick and easy recipes, using simple ingredients, that your family will love.

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