What Spices Can You Add to Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy cozy mac and cheese with a surprise spin! This mouthwatering Spicy Masala Mac n Cheese is cooked with warm flavorful spices that add an exotic taste to the classic dish! My go-to recipe especially when I am craving hot, comforting spicy foods.

This EASY Instant Pot Mac n Cheese recipe uses fresh jalapeños, ginger and garlic paste along with a few staple spices to add a fiery kick that blends in perfectly with the creamy cheese sauce.

The best part of this recipe is that you can adapt the recipe to your spice level. Add more or fewer jalapeños or skip them, add more or less red chili powder but do use good quality garam masala and cumin powder. I love to add the red peppers which are a staple in my fridge as they last for weeks and they add a burst of color to make this pasta look pretty & festive. Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro (if you like) & red pepper flakes (to taste) and this pasta is sure to awaken your taste buds.

Instant Pot Pasta

Making pasta in the Instant Pot is the super-convenient, quick, and handsfree process for these reasons:

• Simply add the pasta, water, salt and walk away
• No more fear of foaming starchy pasta water spilling over your stove
• Love the starch water that helps make pasta creamy, no need to drain the hot water

Note: Not having to drain out the boiling hot water is important for me for 2 reasons. I feel it's a safer method for my kids who often make pasta and is also safer for the elderly audience. Secondly, the starchy water makes for naturally creamy and flavorful pasta, and you need to add less cream or butter in the recipes.

Stove Top Recipe

Don't have an Instant pot? I have you covered as I don't want you to miss out on these awesome flavors. Just scroll down and check out my stovetop recipe in the recipe card.

Tips

Here are my tips to make perfect Instant Pot pasta:

• Makes sure that the pasta is submerged under liquids
• Quick-release after pressure cooking cycle is complete, if you see foam coming out, do a slow quick release by turning the pressure release valve slightly towards venting so the pressure releases slowly. Make sure you press cancel on the Instant Pot while doing this so the pasta does not overcook
• Always stir in cream, cheese, etc. after the pressure cooking cycle completes

Instructions

Step by step recipe showing how to make mac n cheese in the Instant Pot:

Step 1: Sauté veggies, add spices & pasta

Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode & heat oil. Add onions, peppers & jalapeno & saute for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions start to soften. Turn off sauté mode. Add ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, garam masala, cumin, salt & mix well. Add pasta & broth. Mix well making sure all the pasta is under the liquids. Close the Instant Pot & Pressure cook for 4 mins.

Step 2: Add milk and cheeses

Do a slow quick release & open the lid. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode & add milk. Add the cheeses handful at a time & stir well. Add more milk if needed. Continue to stir until the cheeses are well incorporated making a smooth creamy sauce. Turn off the sauté mode once all the cheese has melted

Step 3: Garnish

This is an optional step but highly recommended if you like spicy dishes and love cilantro. Stir in more red chili flakes & cilantro. Enjoy piping hot!

Serving

I like to serve it with a crunchy salad like the Mango Salad with peanuts, Kale Almond Salad, or Fiesta Quinoa Salad. Protein dishes such as Chicken skewers, Tandoori Chicken Wings, or Salmon kabobs also compliments the pasta nicely to make a delicious meal that everyone will love.

Don't forget to make some cooling drinks to serve with this spicy Indian pasta. Here are some that are popular in my home:

• Mango Lassi
• Aam Panna
• Watermelon Juice
• Fresh Lemonade with ginger

Frequently Asked Questions

How to adjust the Instant Pot Pasta Cook times for different pasta shapes

To adjust the pressure cook time for the type of pasta you are using, simply half the cook time on the pasta package. The pasta I used in this recipe has a stovetop cook time of 8 minutes. So I pressure cooked it for 4 minutes. If you like al dente pasta or if you are using gluten-free pasta further reduce the pressure cook time by 1 minute.
If you are cooking pasta ahead of time, feel free to pressure cook for only 3 minutes as the pasta continues to absorb moisture and continue to soften over time.

How to make ahead pasta

If you are making pasta ahead of time, cook the pasta al dente and add the additional milk and cheeses when you are ready to serve. This also makes it easier to clean up the Instant Pot pasta that will have some cheese sticking to it.

How to reheat pasta

Pasta continues to absorb the liquids as it sits making it dry over time. To reheat simply sprinkle a few spoons of warm milk or water over the pasta and then reheat in the microwave.

How to clean Instant Pot insert after cooking mac n cheese

The bottom of the Instant Pot can get sticky with all the cheese in this recipe. I would suggest you take out any leftover pasta right away and refrigerate. Then simply add a cup of hot water, a teaspoon of baking soda, and a teaspoon of dishwashing soap to the Instant Pot, steam for 2 minutes. Dump out all the liquids and then clean the pot with a dishwasher sponge and soap.

Did you like how easy it is to make pasta in the Instant Pot? Check out some more of my family favorites like the Pasta Caprese & Spicy Taco Pasta in my Instant Pot Pasta Recipes Collection!

★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback,Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.

Please click on the stars in the recipe card below

Spicy Masala Mac and Cheese

Masala Mac n Cheese with a spicy kick from fresh jalapeños, ginger, garlic and garam masala with an EASY Instant Pot recipe!

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course: Brunch, dinner, Lunch, Main dish

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 8

Calories: 461 kcal

• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
• ▢ 1 cup red pepper diced
• ▢ 1 to 2 jalapeños finely diced
• ▢ 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder or any mild chili powder, add less if using a spicier variety
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 16 oz elbow macaroni
• ▢ 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth I use 4 teaspoons of Better than Bouillion vegetable broth paste mixed in 4 cups of water
• ▢ 1 cup 2% milk or whole milk
• ▢ 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
• ▢ 1 cup pepper jack cheese grated
• ▢ 1 teaspoon red chili flakes optional
• ▢ ¼ cup cilantro chopped

• Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode & heat oil. Add onions, peppers & jalapeno & saute for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions start to soften. Turn off sauté mode.

• Add ginger, garlic, chili powder, garam masala, cumin, salt & mix well. Add pasta & broth. Close the Instant Pot & Pressure cook for 4 minutes.

• Quick release & open the lid. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode & add milk. Add the cheeses handful at a time & stir well. Add more milk if needed. Continue to stir until the cheeses are well incorporated making a smooth creamy sauce. Turn off the saute mode once all the cheese is melted. Garnish with red chili flakes & cilantro. Enjoy hot!

Stove Top Recipe

• Boil the pasta as per the package instructions, drain the water, and set aside.

• Heat oil in a large pot or work and add onions, peppers & jalapenos. Saute for 5 to 7 minutes on medium heat or until the onions turn translucent stirring frequently

• Add ginger, garlic, chili powder, garam masala, cumin, salt & mix well cooking for another minute. Add the cooked pasta, ½ cup of water, and mix well until the pasta is heated through

• Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in milk. Add the cheeses handful at a time & stir well. Add more milk if needed. Continue to stir until the cheeses are well incorporated making a smooth creamy sauce. Turn off the heat once all the cheese has melted. Garnish with red chili flakes & cilantro. Enjoy hot!

Notes to make perfect Instant Pot Pasta:

• Makes sure that the pasta is submerged under liquids
• Quick-release after pressure cooking cycle is complete, if you see foam coming out, do a slow quick release by turning the pressure release valve slightly towards venting so the pressure releases slowly. Make sure you press cancel on the Instant Pot while doing this so the pasta does not overcook
• Always stir in cream, cheese, etc. after the pressure cooking cycle completes

How to adjust cook time for different types of Pasta

• To adjust the pressure cook time for the type of pasta you are using, simply half the cook time on the pasta package. The pasta I used in this recipe has a stovetop cook time of 8 minutes. So I pressure cooked it for 4 minutes
• If you like al dente pasta or if you are using gluten-free pasta further reduce the pressure cook time by 1 minute
• If you are cooking pasta ahead of time, feel free to pressure cook for only 3 minutes as the pasta continues to absorb moisture and continue to soften over time

Calories: 461 kcal | Carbohydrates: 49 g | Protein: 22 g | Fat: 20 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Cholesterol: 45 mg | Sodium: 606 mg | Potassium: 389 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 1206 IU | Vitamin C: 28 mg | Calcium: 371 mg | Iron: 2 mg

♥ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.

Author: Archana

Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.

What Spices Can You Add to Macaroni and Cheese

Source: https://ministryofcurry.com/masala-mac-and-cheese/

Share this post