This Instant Pot Creamed Spinach Mac and Cheese is the best of both worlds: creamy macaroni and cheese, made simple and one pot in the pressure cooker and the zest of creamed spinach adding tons of flavor. This is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients in instant pot creamed spinach mac and cheese
- Butter: I used plant butter, however any butter you prefer will work fine
- Onion: White, yellow, or sweet onion will all work just fine
- Garlic Powder
- All purpose flour
- Vegetable Broth: you could substitute chicken broth if you prefer
- Half and half
- Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
- nutmeg
- Wagon Wheel Pasta: I picked this as kids love the fun shape and I feel it is really an underused pasta shape, if you prefer you could swap it out for a different pasta with the same cooking time.
- Frozen spinach: one of the true beauties of this recipe is that you do NOT want to thaw your spinach first. No running water, no squeezing dry, just go…
- Parmesan cheese: freshly shredded
- Mozzarella cheese
- Hot sauce
How to make instant pot creamed spinach mac and cheese:
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute. Add 1 Tablespoon of the butter and stir until melted. Add the onions and cook, stirring until softened, 3-5 minutes.
- Add the remaining butter and the flour and stir continuously until the flour disappears. Turn off the Instant Pot.
- Add the garlic powder broth, half and half, dijon, salt pepper and nutmeg and stir to combine. Add the pasta and do your best to ensure all the noodles are covered. Add the spinach on top of the noodles, the spinach does not need to be covered by the liquid for the recipe to work out.
- Set to manual high pressure for 5 minutes. When the cooking time is done, allow a natural pressure release of 4 minutes and then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Stir through the parmesan, mozzarella and hot sauce. If the sauce is not as thick as you would like, turn off the keep warm button and replace the lid. Allow the dish to sit for 10 minutes or so for the sauce to thicken. Check for seasonings and serve.
Easy Pasta to substitute for Wagon Wheel pasta in your Instant Pot creamed spinach mac and cheese
There are several types of pasta that have similar cooking times to wagon wheel pasta, which typically takes about 10-12 minutes to cook al dente:
- Fusilli: This spiral-shaped pasta has a similar cooking time to wagon wheel pasta and is a popular choice for pasta salads and hearty pasta dishes.
- Penne: This tube-shaped pasta is also a great option with a similar cooking time to wagon wheel pasta, and is perfect for pairing with chunky sauces and vegetables.
- Farfalle: This bow-tie shaped pasta also has a similar cooking time to wagon wheel pasta and is great for dishes that require a slightly lighter pasta shape.
- Rotini: This corkscrew-shaped pasta has a similar cooking time to wagon wheel pasta and is great for absorbing the flavors of a hearty sauce.
What is creamed spinach
Creamed spinach is a dish made with cooked spinach that is mixed with a rich, creamy sauce. The sauce is typically made by cooking butter and flour together to create a roux, and then adding milk or cream to create a thick and creamy sauce. The cooked spinach is then added to the sauce, along with seasonings such as garlic, salt, and pepper.
The dish is often served as a side dish, and is popular in many cuisines around the world, including American and French cuisine. It is often served with grilled or roasted meats, such as steak or chicken, and is a popular side dish during the holiday season.
Creamed spinach is a delicious and nutritious dish, as spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron. However, as the dish contains heavy cream or milk, it can be high in calories and fat, so it is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
If you like this Instant Pot Creamed Spinach Mac and Cheese, try these other dishes:
This easy Air Fryer Lasagna with Spinach takes almost no time to assemble yet gives you all of the flavors of classic lasagna.
Or simplify and try our easy Instant Pot Creamed Spinach which is perfect for holidays or any time you want a traditional, comforting side dish for your meal.
What to serve with Instant Pot Creamed Spinach Mac and Cheese
- Garlic bread: A warm and crispy slice of garlic bread is a perfect accompaniment to mac and cheese. You can make your own garlic bread or purchase a pre-made loaf from the store.
- Roasted vegetables: A side of roasted vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts can add some color and nutrients to your meal.
- Salad: A simple salad with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light dressing can balance out the richness of the mac and cheese.
- Grilled chicken or shrimp: Adding some grilled chicken or shrimp to your meal can provide some extra protein and flavor.
- Steamed vegetables: If you want a lighter side dish, you can opt for some steamed vegetables such as green beans or carrots.
Creamed Spinach Mac & Cheese in the Instant Pot
Equipment
- pressure cooker
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter divided
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup half and half
- 1-2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 12 ounces Wagon Wheel Pasta
- 24 ounces frozen spinach not thawed
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 10-20 dashes hot sauce
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute. Add 1 Tablespoon of the butter and stir until melted. Add the onions and cook, stirring until softened, 3-5 minutes.
- Add the remaining butter and the flour and stir continuously until the flour disappears. Turn off the Instant Pot.
- Add the garlic powder broth, half and half, dijon, salt pepper and nutmeg and stir to combine. Add the pasta and do your best to ensure all the noodles are covered. Add the spinach on top of the noodles, the spinach does not need to be covered by the liquid for the recipe to work out.
- Set to manual high pressure for 5 minutes. When the cooking time is done, allow a natural pressure release of 4 minutes and then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Stir through the parmesan, mozzarella and hot sauce. If the sauce is not as thick as you would like, turn off the keep warm button and replace the lid. Allow the dish to sit for 10 minutes or so for the sauce to thicken. Check for seasonings and serve.
Creamed spinach mac and cheese