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Italian » Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

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Lightened-up classic mac and cheese with the healthy addition of spinach, artichoke, and garlic for a perfect one-pot weeknight dinner.

spinach artichoke macaroni and cheese

We enjoy pasta though out the year but it is especially comforting in the cold winter months. We love the creaminess of the Pasta dishes cooked in the Instant Pot. The starchy water that is not drained out makes the pasta creamy and rich so there is no need to add too much cream or cheese.

Our newest pasta obsession is this spinach artichoke macaroni and cheese pasta cooked in the Instant Pot. Toss with some red chili flakes, to add a nice hint of spice to this flavorful and comforting dish.

This recipe does not use milk, plus the recipe can be modified to as much or as little cheese you like. With the convenience of canned artichokes and baby spinach, the prep-time and cleanup are so minimal. You can add your favorite cheeses as much or as little that you like. We love a small amount of cream cheese, parmesan, and lots of ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese.

Steps

Here is a step by step recipe with photos explaining how to cook the perfect Instant Pot mac n cheese:

Heat oil, add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and stir well cooking for a minute. Add artichoke hearts and sauté for another minute. Stir in the uncooked pasta, broth, and water. Mix well and gently push the pasta under the liquids.

photos one through four of making mac n cheese in the instant pot

Note: Each pasta shape is different and you may need more or less water. Close Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook mode for 4 minutes followed by a quick release. Open Instant Pot, give a quick stir to the pasta.

Add remaining broth to the pasta, if the pasta looks a bit watery skip this step. Gently fold the spinach into the pasta and cook on sauté mode for a couple of minutes as the spinach wilts. Add cream cheese, mozzarella, and grated parmesan. Add red pepper flakes and mix everything well until the cheeses blend well in the pasta. Enjoy hot!

photos five through eight of making spinach artichoke mac n cheese in the instant pot

Tips

MOC’s BEST Tips to make perfect Instant Pot pasta:

  • Most of the pasta should be submerged under liquids
  • Each pasta shape has a different cook time. To cook in an Instant pot, pressure cook it for - half the cook time on the package and minus 1 minute - So if the Pasta says 10 minutes, pressure cook it for 4 minutes. This same formula works when cooking gluten-free pasta in the Instant Pot
  • Quick-release after pressure cooking cycle is complete
  • Always stir in cream, cheese, etc after the pressure cooking cycle
spinach artichoke macaroni and cheese

Variations

  • Add more or less cheese depending on how creamy you like
  • All the cheese can be substituted to low fat for a lighter take
  • Add a cup of milk instead of water after the pressure cooking cycle is done for more protein and calcium
  • To make spicy mac n cheese add extra red chili flakes or skip them altogether for non-spicy pasta

More Recipes

Do you enjoy the ease and convenience of making pasta in Instant Pot? Here are some more pasta recipes:

  • Pasta Caprese – Pasta tossed with tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
  • Penne Alla Vodka – Italian classic pasta dish made in a creamy tomato, garlic, vodka sauce
  • Creamy Tomato Pasta – Incredibly creamy and delicious pasta  with an EASY recipe
  • Spicy Taco Pasta – Spicy taco pasta with ground chicken, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and cheese
  • Spinach Mushroom Lasagna – Lasagna layered with spinach, mushrooms, garlic, and cheese 

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

Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese
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4.18 from 63 votes

Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese

Lightened up combination of the classic mac and cheese with the healthy addition of spinach, artichoke and garlic
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4
Calories: 371kcal
Author: Archana Mundhe

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • ¾ cup artichoke hearts drained and rough chopped, I like Trader Joe's bottled marinated artichokes
  • ½ lb uncooked macaroni shells or any pasta
  • 6 oz baby spinach
  • 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 oz cream cheese, room temperature room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese grated
  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese grated

Instructions

  • Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat oil. Add onion and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes with a glass lid on.
  • Add garlic and stir well cooking for a minute. Add artichoke hearts and sauté for another minute.
  • Add uncooked pasta, broth, and water. Mix well. Make sure that most of the pasta is under the liquids. Note: Each pasta shape is different and you may need more or less water.
  • Close Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing. Pressure Cook mode for 4 minutes followed by Quick Release.
  • Open Instant Pot, give a quick stir to the pasta. If the pasta looks dry-ish add another cup of broth, water, or low-fat milk
  • Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and gently fold the spinach into the pasta and cook just until the spinach starts to wilt.
  • Add cream cheese, mozzarella, and grated parmesan. Add red pepper flakes and mix everything well until the cheeses blend well in the pasta. Enjoy hot!

Video

Notes

Notes:
Each pasta shape requires a different amount of water.
Make sure most of the pasta is underwater before closing the Instant pot.
Cook time for the elbow macaroni was 9 minutes. I half the cook time for Instant Pot. Hence cooked for 4 minutes. Adjust the cooking time according to the pasta box instructions.

Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 385mg | Potassium: 566mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4250IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 2mg
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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.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura says

    In step 7 should that be remaining broth, not water?

    • Archana says

      Hi Laura, Yes that should be the 1 cup of broth.

  2. Marilyn says

    I’d like to see more recipes

    • Archana says

      Thank you Marilyn, Are there specific recipes you are looking for?

  3. Jerri says

    Marinated canned artichoke hearts or water-packed artichoke hearts?

    • Archana says

      I used marinated artichokes. But either will work

      • Vijaya says

        Hi can I use wheat pasta ?

        • Archana says

          Yes just check out the notes on cook time

  4. IPnewbie says

    What size can for the artichokes?

    • Archana says

      12 to 14 ounces can

      • IPnewbie says

        Thank you!

  5. Leah says

    Can this be made ahead of time and reheated?

    • Archana says

      yes! It works well.

  6. Colleen says

    This was tasty and easy! I used whole wheat pasta (Barilla) and it worked fine. We like veggies so I would probably add more spinach. And maybe try a more melty cheese like fontina or asiago next time. The mozzarella kind of clumped up and I ended up adding another T. or so of cream cheese to make it creamier. Yummy and fast though!5 stars

    • Archana says

      Thank you for the feedback. I think fontina or asiago will work great.

  7. Tanuja says

    What’s the pressure cook time if I don’t want quick release?

    • Archana says

      Pressure cook for 1 minute and then allow full NPR

  8. Pavz says

    I made this today and the response I got from the children are “when did you become a 5 star chef”. “Where did this come from” . “ It is actually very good”. For me it is “5 min job” but I am not saying that loud.

    • Archana says

      Thank you so much!!!!

  9. Protima Advani says

    Hi Archana,,
    Does your rule for cook time for pasta in IP work for GF pasta too? Also can I use frozen spinach? Thanks.

    • Archana says

      Yes! With gluten-free pasta I always - half the cooking time on the pasta package and then reduce 1 min. So if the package says 10 mins, I will pressure cook for 4 mins. You can use frozen spinach, just thaw it in the microwave for a few seconds.