Furthermore, the fare is terrific as an after-school meal since it is a kid-friendly healthy recipe that comes together in less than 20 minutes and is loved by all ages!
Today, I share my family’s favorite three-cheese Mac and cheese recipe packed with deliciousness. My family loves this incredibly delicious dish, cheesy, melty, and soft with tons of green.
When it comes to cooking crazy easy meals like Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli soup, Minestrone soup, Chicken Lasagna soup – Instant Pot is my go-to method. And the best part is that you have to clean just one pot which is an excellent bonus feature if you ask me. Spinach — If possible, always use fresh spinach. But then it is also possible to use frozen spinach in the fare. Pasta — As the name suggests, I have used Macaroni for my Instant Pot 3 Cheese Spinach Mac & Cheese. But feel free to experiment. The macaroni and spinach recipe can be made gluten-free, provided you choose gluten-free pasta such as pasta made from lentils or corn. 3-cheese Blend — I have used a blend of –
Mozzarella Cheese — With its supple, delicate, and slightly sour taste, mozzarella cheese amps up the flavor and texture of this mac and cheese recipe. Sharp Cheddar — The cheese perfectly melts into a smooth, creamy sauce and lends an intense, pungent, slightly earthy flavor, elevating the dish superbly. Smoked Provolone Blend — With its somewhat smoky and earthy flavor, the provolone blends perfectly with the tangier flavor of cheddar cheese.
Butter — Unsalted, please. It will add to the creamy texture and help control the sodium in the dish. Heavy Cream — The rich and thick creaminess of heavy cream along with milk adds to the creaminess of the fare. Always choose the cream that contains more than 35% fat. Vegetable Stock — The essential flavor-building component of this dish is the vegetable stock. When possible, always choose a low-sodium version. Sriracha Sauce — The tangy-sweet sauce with a kick of garlic adds the much-needed spiciness for this simple fare. Seasonings – Salt and black pepper add flavor to our 3 Cheese Spinach Mac & Cheese recipe.
Turn the Instant Pot to ‘Saute mode.’ Once it displays ‘hot,’ add butter to the insert. Once it melts, add macaroni with some salt, sriracha, pepper, and vegetable stock. Stir it well. Turn the Instant Pot off. Close the lid and seal the pot. Press the Manual or pressure cook button and cook the Instant Pot 3 Cheese Spinach Mac & Cheese for 5 minutes on HIGH. Once the cooking time has elapsed, release the pressure (QPR – quick pressure release). When the pin drops, carefully open the Instant Pot lid. Add the cream, cheese, and mix. Do the taste test and adjust the seasonings. Like it spicy, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of sriracha. Add spinach and mix to combine. Serve immediately.
Broth — Out of broth, no worries. You can use water instead. The pasta should be submerged underwater in the instant pot while cooking, QPR — Make sure to do the quick-release after the pressure cooking cycle is done. Cream — Add cream and cheese after the Instant Pot cooking is over. Avoid lumpy mess — Add a little cheese at a time and mix. This will allow the cheese to blend nicely with the pasta. Soupy Mac and cheese — Fret not. You need to sauté and stir for a few more minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Sauce has thickened — You can spoon in a bit of milk and stir until the mixture has loosened up. Add more veggies — To improve the flavors and nutrition content, you can add other vegetables like sautéed broccoli and kale. Or you can add bell peppers, roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions, carrots, or zucchini. Options are endless!
Overcooking — Once you are done mixing in the cheese and spinach, immediately remove the Instant pot insert from the base to prevent over-cooking. This way, you will end up with an incredibly smooth and creamy sauce. Leaving the insert for too long in the hot base may result in a grainy sauce. Spice it up — You can add Cajun seasoning or paprika to amp up the spice level in this Instant Pot 3 cheese spinach Mac and cheese recipe. Add extra protein — You can up the protein in the recipe by adding a protein of your choices like chopped rotisserie chicken, leftover shredded chicken, or hot Italian sausage.
Boil macaroni as per package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Melt butter in a separate pan. Add sour cream, milk, cream, and cheese. Boil on a low flame until it comes together like a roux. Combine with boiled macaroni. Toss to coat. Add spinach, adjust seasonings and enjoy warm.
Serving Suggestions!
One of the most amazing things about Instant Pot 3 cheese spinach Mac and cheese is that it tastes yummy right out of the oven and you can serve it —
As a side dish Main Entrée Mac and cheese cups On a toasted Artisan bread Serve it along with garlic rolls or crusty bread.
Should you make these 3 cheese spinach Mac and cheese, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below. And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.
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