Instant Pot Chili Mac Casserole

Name: Instant Pot Chili Mac
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 19 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef (✅); 1 small onion, diced; 1 small bell pepper, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 6 ounce can tomato paste (✅); 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes (✅); 16 ounce can pinto beans (✅); 2 tablespoons chili powder (✅); 1 tablespoon cumin (✅); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 8 ounce dry gluten-free elbow pasta; 3 cups chicken broth (✅); 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (✅)

Instant Pot Chili Mac is packed with flavor yet easy to make. Ground beef is sauteed with onions, green pepper, and garlic, then cooked in broth with dry pasta and spices. This simple dinner is a kid-favorite! Gluten-free.

If you are new to the world of cooking with an instant pot – welcome! You will quickly learn that instant pot meals are a lifesaver. In just a short time, an entire meal can be prepped, cooked and served that the whole family enjoys. And if you are obsessed with your instant pot like us, get ready!

This instant pot chili mac recipe is definitely one of those meals that you will make time and time again. Inspired by our Chili Mac Casserole, a family favorite camping dish, the instant pot version is packed with just as much flavor!

Chili Mac shown in a white bowl with an instant pot next to it.

Looking for other chili recipes? Our Halloween Chili, Chili Lasagna and Southwest Chicken Chili are fan favorites!

Ready to start? Grab your instant pot and gather the ingredients then follow the step and step instructions.

Equipment

instant pot
large stir spoon
cutting board
chefs knife
measuring cups
measuring spoons

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 small bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 ounce can tomato paste
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
16 ounce can pinto beans do not drain
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 ounce dry whole wheat elbow pasta
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

How To Make Instant Pot Chili Mac

1. Turn instant pot to sauté mode. Add ground beef, onion, peppers, and garlic to the bottom of the instant pot. Cook until beef is browned and onions are translucent.

Sautéing Tip: “Translucent” means that you should be able to almost see through the onions. Watch the onions turn from solid white in color to translucent while shrinking in size. The onions will also start smelling sweet because sautéing helps onions develop a sweet flavor.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients (except the cheese). Stir the tomato paste into the ground beef. Add the crushed tomatoes, beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Spread the dry pasta across the top – DO NOT STIR. Add the chicken broth on top and do not stir. Cover and turn valve to sealing.

3. Cook. Set instant pot to high pressure and cook for 4 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure and start counting down. Once the 4 minutes are over, do a quick release. Add the cheese, stir and serve! Top with additional cheese and green onions if desired.

FAQ

Can you use ground turkey?

Yes. The ground beef can be swapped for ground turkey, chicken or pork for a different variation.

How long to cook chili mac in instant pot?

Chili mac only requires 4 minutes of cooking time. Remember that it can take about 10 minutes to come to pressure and then starts cooking.

Can you make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! This recipe can be made ahead of time and even frozen to reheat at a later date. Check out our How To Freeze Cooked Pasta guide to learn the tips and tricks to freezing noodles.

noodles, sauce and cheese in an instant pot

Instant Pot Pasta Tips

Do NOT stir. Stirring the pasta could result in gummy noodles that are clumped together.
Add enough liquid. Pour liquid into the instant pot until the pasta is completely covered to prevent the “BURN” message from appearing during cooking.
Lower the cooking time. Cut the time on the back of the pasta box in half to prevent the noodles from being mushy and overcooked.
Top with cheese. Add the cheese after the pasta is cooked.

chili mac being scooped from the instant pot

More Instant Pot Meals

Other Simple Dinner Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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