Instant Pot Chili Mac

Our easy Instant Pot chili mac recipe with ground beef and beans one pot meal is something your kids will love! A classic old fashioned dinner with elbow macaroni noodles. Just dump into Ninja Foodi for a complete meal done in less than 15 minutes. Add cheese for a pressure cooker cheesy chili mac recipe too.

We have three kids which means macaroni is always in the house. We’re also huge Instant Pot chili lovers so it would only be reasonable to combine the two to make an easy dinner idea. That’s what we did and made this! You can add cheddar to make it cheesy or leave it as is.

You can use any brand you have at home too. I have a few of them so I can ensure they all cook the same. Plus to making this as a Ninja Foodi recipe is you can melt and brown a layer of cheese on the top at the end if you want to.

Seriously, this recipe for chili mac cooks in just this short of time. Now it does take a bit to reach pressure so you have to account for that no matter what you pressure cook, but you know what I mean. Of course we add cheese to the top when it was done. That part is totally up to you though. We think everything is better with lots of cheese though y’all! 😉

We have made this 5 ingredient dump chili recipe for years and years you’ll have to make this week too. There are many ways to tweak it beyond the standard items added. I will share a few here and below in the list such as; using red enchilada sauce instead of tomato, diced onions can go in there or some bits of chiles. And heat can always be added for it to become spicy.

Easy Instant Pot Chili Mac with Ground Beef and Beans

You will want some meat to add to this. Most common would use a package of ground beef (80/20 is best), some prefer a roll of spicy ground sausage to give it some heat and others like half spicy sausage and half beef. Have a lot of ground turkey you want to use? That’s a great protein choice to use too! Enjoy pinto beans more than the listed kidney beans? Use those! I would suggest those that are with a bit firmer skins though so they keep their shape when cooked under high pressure.

Chili Mac No Beans

Yes this is another variance, if you don’t like beans just skip them. To us that wouldn’t make it right but you do you. 😉 You wouldn’t adjust any other ingredients if you left these out but note that it will be a bit soupier if you do.

If you don’t have this multi cooker kitchen appliance it is genius I tell you and I use it every night. Seriously the easiest Instant Pot pasta recipe you will ever make. 

Instant Pot Chili Mac with Frozen Ground Beef

Ok so let’s talk about what you need to get out. I do suggest that your meat is thawed, but if not this is how to defrost Instant Pot frozen ground beef first, then proceeding too. A seasoning packet just makes everything easier. If you don’t have that you can add Lawry’s, dehydrated onions and a bit of chili powder.

Ingredient Notes

Most of the time I will make this with lean Ground beef. Sometimes I will use 1/2 lb. beef and 1/2 lb. spicy ground sausage for LOTS of flavor and a bit of heat

Onions diced are optional for added texture and flavor to the dish, white or yellow. You will want to saute these with the meat at the beginning to soften up a bit.

You will want to add a whole can of Diced tomatoes, we like petite size, canned not drained to make a deep flavored sauce

Tomato sauce will make it richer and thicker, you could use red enchilada or spaghetti sauce instead really

Dark or light Kidney Beans canned are best, do not drain, you will want that added bit of liquid in the can to cook everything else together

Elbow macaroni noodles or any small pasta works, I use what I have on hand really. I wouldn’t add anything larger than the medium size or the cook time will be a bit off.

To season this the best way possible include 1 pkg. chili seasoning (can use a pkg. of taco seasoning instead…still great) and chili powder, just a bit for some heat, if you use spicy sausage I would omit this. I have also used a packet of fajita seasoning if I don’t have the one listed below. Biggest difference between the two is this has some heat to it.

You can add cheese to top with, optional but so yummy, we like Mexican blend. If I have a small can of diced green chiles I will usually add those too. Not to make it spicy but just add flavor. You can find them from hot to medium and/or mild for your chilimac.

You can include meat or not depending on your preferences. Ground sausage or ground turkey work just as well and the same way as instructed below. Brown first using the saute function and then proceed.

Variations and Substitutions

I’ve used all sorts of small pasta shapes with it too. Those squiggly ones, shells are fun, and the classics you see here. I will be honest that what goes in there is what I have in the cupboard which is usually whatever was on sale when I was at the store. What can I say, I’m frugal.

For EXTRA cheesiness, you can stir some in when done and then sprinkle another 3/4 of a cup of shredded cheese on to the top to melt. With a Foodi you could put lid that is attached on then, at 400 for a few minutes to crisp.

Tips

Note – I have NEVER had issues with stirring everything (other than noodles) together. Others have had false burn notifications. If your pot is super sensitive like this I highly suggest you get a non stick pot for this and future recipes.  It is a game changer and you will likely never get the burn notice again. And as always, when removing the lid face it away from your face so you aren’t overheated by the steam.

FAQ

Other one pot meals you’ll love

The printable recipe is below for you to follow. Any small noodle will work, any shape, that is your preferences. I love easy recipes like this especially during the summer when the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven when it is 100 degrees outside! Looking for more cheap Instant Pot recipes?

Instant Pot orange chicken is a healthier version, not breaded but with tons of flavor. Easy Instant Pot white chicken chili is a fun dish too the kids love

Want to make Crockpot chili mac?? We do that too! If you like your noodles more al dente then set the time to 3 minutes, a bit softer for 4-5 minutes.