Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- yield: 3-4 bowls
- prep time: 5 min
- wait time: 15 min
- cook time: 10 min **
- total time:
Super easy to make Instant Pot mac and cheese. Loaded with cauliflower florets, green peas and a perfectly thick and cheesy sauce with just a hint of heat.
Ingredients:
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3 tbsp unsalted butter
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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2 cups dried shell pasta
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2 1/2 cups water
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1/4 tsp salt
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1 cup blanched, frozen cauliflower florets
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1/3 cup blanched, frozen green peas
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1 1/2 cups old orange cheddar cheese
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1/2 cup milk
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2 tbsp plain yogurt
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1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes
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1/4 tsp ground pepper
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1/4 tsp paprika
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1/8 tsp garlic
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1/8 tsp dry mustard powder
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pinch of cayenne pepper
Directions:
1. On the sauté setting in the Instant Pot, melt the butter and the flour and whisk for 5 minutes or until the roux is a golden-brown colour.2. Stir in the shell pasta, water and salt. Secure the lid, turning the vent to the closed position. Cook on High pressure for 5-6 minutes** and open the steam release right away (quick release!).
3. Working quickly, stir in the cauliflower, peas, cheese, milk, yogurt and spices. Stir until all the ingredients are combined and the cheese is just starting to melt. Secure the lid and let it sit for 10 minutes on the warm setting. This should be enough time for the veggies to warm up and the cheese sauce to melt and thicken.
4. Remove the lid, give it a quick stir and serve! Optional: garnish with extra chili pepper flakes, fresh parsley and shaved Parmesan.
Notes:
Optional additional protein: add 1/3 cup of split yellow peas with the pasta and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. After 10 minutes on the warming setting, the split peas will have a tender-crisp texture.
Broccoli can be substituted for the cauliflower.
** The cook time will vary depending on the brand of shell pasta used. A good starting point is to set the cook time to that suggested on the packaging. If adding split yellow peas to the recipe, try to pair it with shell pasta with a longer cooking time.
This recipe was thoroughly tested using the Instant Pot Duo Plus.