Comfort food on Weight Watchers? Yes, you can have it when you make this Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. It’s creamy, delicious, and indulgent! You can make tons of great recipes in the Instant Pot!
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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.
This recipe is really easy to make and it’s great for family meals. I love when I don’t have to cook more than one meal so that everyone can get what they like but also eat something healthy!
Pair this easy dinner with some salad, roasted veggies, or even some grilled chicken breasts. It’s a simple, wholesome recipe that everyone will devour.
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 low in points 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 Warmer
Instant Pot Mini MittsInstant 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
This recipe uses whole wheat pasta shells, low fat and low sodium chicken stock, fat free half and half, salt and pepper to taste, garlic powder, and margarine.
For the cheese we will be using Velveeta Original cheese slices, parmesan, and shredded fat free cheddar!
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
Weight Watchers Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Makes 8 servings, 7 SmartPoints per serving on Beyond the Scale, FreeStyle, and Flex Plans
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.
Do you have myWW Points for this mac and cheese?
The new plan has three levels as well know, blue, green, and purple. Here is the points breakdown for the three color system so you can check out how this recipe fits into your particular plan!
More Weight Watchers Recipes:
Don’t miss out on Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts Cilantro Lime Chicken and Weight Watchers Chili Recipe.
Readers also really love Weight Watchers Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe, Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet, and Weight Watchers Chicken Enchiladas Recipe!
Printable Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese for Weight Watchers Recipe:
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Comfort food on Weight Watchers? Yes, you can have it when you make this Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. It's creamy, delicious, and indulgent!
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
- salt to taste
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
Notes
6 Points on Blue, 2 Points on Purple, 6 Points on Green
Recommended Products
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Hiware 12-Piece Soup Spoons, Round Stainless Steel Bouillon Spoons -
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Rorence Mixing Bowls with Lids -
DOWAN Cereal Bowl, 22 Ounce Soup Bowls White Ceramic Bowl Set of 6, White Porcelain Bowls for Kitchen, Oven & Dishwasher & Microwave Safe, White Porcelain Soup Bowls for Cereal Soup Rice Pasta Salad -
Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, -
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker,
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 298Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 25mgSodium 810mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 6gSugar 4gProtein 16g
As with any of our recipes, carb counts, calorie counts, WW points and nutritional information varies greatly. As a result, your nutritional content depends on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish. The auto-calculation is just an automated estimate and should NOT be used for specific dietary needs.
This recipe is in no way authorized or associated with the Weight Watchers Program.
ruth
Thursday 11th of February 2021
What is fat free half and half and where do you get it from?
Michele Brosius
Monday 15th of February 2021
Fat free half and half is sold in the dairy section with the milk and cream. Thanks
Emilee
Tuesday 28th of July 2020
If you don’t have a instant pot, would a slow cooker work? Thanks for reading and responding in advance(:
Michele Brosius
Sunday 2nd of August 2020
Yes. I would cook pasta in chicken stock. Drain and reserve 1 cup of stock. Add pasta, reserved stock, and all other ingredients to a slow cooker with a liner or sprayed with non-cook spray and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. (keep an eye on it, depending on your crock pot) Thanks!
Rebecca
Sunday 9th of February 2020
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
Wednesday 12th of February 2020
Glad it worked out and you enjoyed it.
Ellen
Thursday 12th of September 2019
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!
Debbie Gaydos
Wednesday 12th of June 2019
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
Wednesday 12th of June 2019
Yes. All cheese after the natural release. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll fix it up!