Comfort food on Weight Watchers? Yes, you can have it when you make this Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. With only 7 SmartPoints per serving, this is a perfect option for a comfort food meal that the entire family will love.
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Ever since beginning Weight Watchers, I have been on the search for a truly good macaroni and cheese recipe that would satisfy my need for comfort food without blowing all of my points for the day. Using my Instant Pot was a bonus, for sure, and this recipe became a fast favorite. It’s done in just a few minutes and the entire family loves it.
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
One thing you will notice in this recipe is a specific cheese. You can easily use any low fat or low point value cheese, but I found the best flavor and creamy texture came from using Velveeta Original Cheese Slices in particular. These are only 1 SmartPoint per slice, and they work wonderfully to melt and provide that comforting cheesy texture you are looking for in a mac and cheese recipe.
I use the 6 quart Instant Pot. I didn’t think I was going to like using an electric pressure cooker, (sale link) but now I am hooked. My poor crockpots are sitting around collecting dust. Which model do you use?Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and WarmerInstant Pot Mini Mitts
Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt 10-in-1 Multi- Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Cake Maker, Egg Cooker, Sauté, Steamer, Warmer, and Sterilizer
Ingredients for Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
12 ounces whole wheat shell pasta 4 cups low-fat and low-sodium chicken stock 1 cup fat-free half and half 6 slices Velveeta Original cheese slices (must be slices, not the block) 1/4 cup Parmesan, grated 1/4 cup Fat-Free Cheddar, shredded 1 tablespoon margarine 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 
Directions for Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Pour pasta, half and half, and chicken stock into Instant Pot liner and stir. Place lid on Instant Pot and set to seal. Choose manual and set to 5 minutes. Allow to come to pressure, cook, and when complete NPR (natural pressure release) for 2 minutes. Release remaining pressure, and set to saute. Add in all of the cheese, margarine, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix well. Stir consistently until completely melted. Turn off saute feature and taste. May add salt and pepper to taste. Serve
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole wheat shell pasta
- 4 cups low-fat and low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup fat-free half and half
- 6 slices Velveeta Original cheese slices
- 1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
- 1/4 cup Fat-Free Cheddar, shredded
- 1 tablespoon margarine
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pour pasta, half and half, and chicken stock into Instant Pot liner and stir.
- Place lid on Instant Pot and set to seal.
- Choose manual and set to 5 minutes.
- Allow to come to pressure, cook, and when complete NPR (natural pressure release) for 2 minutes. Release remaining pressure, and set to saute.
- Add in all cheeses, margarine, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix well. Stir consistently until completely melted.
- Turn off saute feature and taste. May add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Amount Per Serving Calories 243Saturated Fat 1gCholesterol 8mgSodium 740mgCarbohydrates 39gSugar 3gProtein 12g
Makes 8 servings 7 SmartPoints per serving on Beyond the Scale, FreeStyle, and Flex Plans
Weight Watchers Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
I use the current SmartPoints plan and this calculates at 7 SmartPoints per serving. That is when you divide the batch of Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese into 8 equal servings. Since pasta shape and size differ, and you may choose to use elbow macaroni instead of shells, I don’t measure this recipe by “cup”. Instead, I recommend measuring out 8 equal portions to get these approximate points value. As you are doing Weight Watchers, you will likely notice that most vegetables are zero points. Since this is a slightly higher point entree than some, you can easily keep its low point by serving up a hearty side of steamed vegetables. Season with your favorite spices, and you have a completely satisfying meal that is healthy and fits into your points plan for the day easily.
More Weight Watchers Recipes:
Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts Cilantro Lime Chicken Weight Watchers Chicken Enchiladas 
Deborah Worley says
What is an instant pot????
Michele Brosius says
HI Deborah, an Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker. Here’s the exact model I have from my Amazon sale link. http://amzn.to/2wdzpqC
We use it for everything from breakfast to dinner. It’s now my favorite kitchen appliance. My crockpots are pretty much collecting dust now.
Thanks for asking~
Joyce V. Hansen says
OMG! I almost scrolled right over this search result. Then I saw the magic words “Instant Pot” (this is me singing them) Can’t wait to try it. I am selling my other appliances, rice cooker, crook pots, etc. I am so happy with this pressure cooker, I have a t-fal stove top cooker that I was afraid to use until I got the IP. Now I use both! Thank you and how can I follow you on your Blog? (I’m new)
Michele Brosius says
Thank you for your kind words Joyce! Here is the sign up to our newsletter which you will receive when we post new recipes and articles. http://madmimi.com/signups/184273/join
Amy P says
Do you think this would still be good if you used evaporated milk? Any idea on the increase/decrease in points?
Michele Brosius says
Hello Amy, 1 cup fat free evaporated milk is 8 points vs 6 points in fat free half and half. So the points would most likely stay the same or may increase it to 8 points per serving. You can put all of the ingredients in the WW recipe builder to confirm. Thanks!
Tracy Szente says
I made this last night and my family loved it! Thank you for the recipe it’s so wonderful to make a nice meal that’s points friendly and family friendly. I shared this with a couple of friends doing ww freestyle with me so prepare for more happy comments ????
Michele Brosius says
Thank you Tracy! I am glad your family enjoyed it. I appreciate you stopping by.
Michelle Musgrave says
My family loves this recipe! For some reason I have two version six saved from your website, one with 3 cups chicken stock and another with 4. I haven’t tried it with just the 3 cups, will it make much a difference in the results? Thank you
Michele Brosius says
Thanks for stopping by. Glad you family likes the recipe. It’s 4 cups. I think 3 is a typeo. I’ll fix that up. Thanks
Julia says
Hi,
Would this be ok using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock? To make it vegetarian.
Thank you
Michele Brosius says
Of course vegetable stock would be just fine. Thanks for asking!
Anna says
Could I half this. Recepi cook it in mini instant pot. Would time and cooking instruction remain the same.
Sarah D. says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was fantastic! So creamy and cheesy! I love Mac and cheese but haven’t eaten much of it since being on WW because of the high point value in most recipes. This is point friendly and you don’t have to sacrifice on the taste – it’s a win win! Thank you so much for sharing!
Brienne says
Is there any kind of cheese you can use instead of the velveeta “cheese”?
Michele Brosius says
You can use any cheese you like, it will just change the point count. Good luck! Thanks Michele
Debbie Gaydos says
I’m making this right now, it looks really good! I’m assuming the grated Parmesan and shredded cheddar go in after the natural release, along with the Velveeta slices?
Michele Brosius says
Yes. All cheese after the natural release. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ll fix it up!
Ellen says
I’ve made this twice now and it’s delicious but there a couple things that I found out. The instructions do not say to drain the pasta. If you don’t, there’s too much liquid. Also, quick release with pasta can spew pasta residue everywhere so just inlet it release on its own. Also, if you don’t have instapot liners, you need to use oil to coat the pot.
There are no servings listed so I’m assuming about 1 cup is 7 points?
I used 2% milk out of convenience and vegetable stock and it was fantastic. Thanks for the recipe. I just wanted to provide My feedback. This recipe is a keeper!
Rebecca says
Made it and it was very tasty and filling. At first it was more loose than I expected but once it set for a few minutes it thickened up.
Michele Brosius says
Glad it worked out and you enjoyed it.