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Home / Recipes / Main Courses / Pasta / Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese

Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese

April 17, 2017 By Jill Selkowitz / 8 Comments Updated November 11, 2019 / As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases; see all disclosures.

Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese is the perfect and easy way to use up your leftover Easter or Christmas Ham.

Pressure Cooker Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese

Pressure Cooker Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese

With so much ham leftover from Easter and/or Christmas, my readers have been demanding asking for an easy recipe.

 Something that is easy, comforting, yet delicious, so that after the holiday, they can toss some ingredients into the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker and relax. It has to be fast. There has to be minimal preparation and clean up. After all, the last few days and weeks were spent in preparation for the holiday.

Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese will not disappoint. It covers all the requirements. Little to no preparation, limited ingredients, easy to assemble, fast, one cooking vessel to clean, quick cook time.

 

Remove Seeds, Stem and Dice the Jalapeños

Remove Seeds, Stem and Dice the Jalapeños

The membrane/seeds of the jalapeño are what hold the most heat, so make sure to remove them, unless you want a spicier dish. I like the flavor of jalapeño, but I don’t like the heat, so I remove all the seeds.

If you do not have jalapeño peppers, just use a can of diced green chiles.

For a more traditional mac & cheese, check out my Pressure Cooker Macaroni and Cheese, Fully Loaded. For an adult spin (but kids love this too), try my Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese.

 

Add all Ingredients, except Milk and Cheese to Pressure Cooker Easter leftovers

Add all Ingredients, except Milk and Cheese to Pressure Cooker

This recipe is so easy.

Not all pasta is created equal. De Cecco is my pasta of choice. It is one of the ingredients that I do feel is better than other named brands and store brands.

The Elbow Macaroni will hold up especially well in under pressure.

 

Break up any Clumps

Break up any Clumps

Using my method for cooking pasta, with the natural pressure release time to gently finish off the cooking, will give you perfect al dente pasta every time.

Plus, you won’t have to worry about steam flying all over the place with a quick release. Some of the pasta may be a little stuck together, so just take a big spoon and break it up and mix it through.

If you love creamy pasta, you’ve got to try my Instant Pot Dijon Shrimp Linguine + Video! recipe. It is incredible.

 

Mix in Cheese and Milk and More Cheese

Mix in Cheese and Milk and More Cheese

Let’s talk about Cheese for a minutes.

Jump to Section

  • What is Wrong with Pre-Shredded Cheese?
  • Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese

What is Wrong with Pre-Shredded Cheese?

  • Please don’t ever buy pre-shredded cheese.
  • The cheese is coated in a starchy powder to prevent it from sticking. Said starchy powder also dries out the cheese. It is so easy to buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.
  • I use my Food Processor when I need to grate a bunch of cheese. It takes less than a minute. Place the blade in the Food Processor, add the block of cheese to the feeder and push the button.

Seriously, it is the difference between less than average macaroni and cheese and incredible macaroni and cheese.

Mix in half the cheese, until fully incorporated. Add in the milk and cream and mix through. The Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker will keep your Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese nice and hot, since it switches to warm after the cook time is up.

Dump in the rest of the cheese and combine. If you prefer more cheese, add a little at a time, until you get the amount of cheese you love.

 

Pressure Cooker Jalapeño Macaroni Ham & Cheese Christmas

Pressure Cooker Jalapeño Macaroni Ham & Cheese

Easy peasy, right! Take a load off and enjoy! You deserve a rest after all the cooking and entertaining from the Holiday. My Pressure Cooker Butternut Squash Pasta is another delicious Pasta meal.

More Ham Recipes to Make:

  • Pasta de Bocaditos Jamón Low Carb Cuban Ham Spread/Dip
  • Holiday Party Ham Buns Southern Baked Ham Cheese Sandwiches
  • Pasta de Bocaditos {Cuban Deviled Ham Sandwiches}

How big was your holiday ham?

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

  • Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
  • J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
  • Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
  • Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
  • Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
  • di Oro Living Silicone Spatulas Set
  • Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
  • Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder
  • My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
  • De Cecco Elbow Macaroni

Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes! 

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Here is the handy printable recipe:

Pressure Cooker Jalapeño Macaroni Ham & Cheese

Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese

5 from 5 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Pressure Release: 5 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 6 serving
Calories: 678kcal
Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Elbow Macaroni
  • 3.5 cups Fresh Water or Broth
  • 1.5 cup Heavy Cream
  • 2 cups Ham diced
  • 2 TBL Butter
  • 1.5 TBL Dry/Ground Mustard Seed
  • 3 large Jalapeño Pepper (seeded/diced)
  • 1 clove Fresh Garlic finely minced
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt or more to taste
  • 1 pinch Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 20 oz Cheddar Jack Cheese shredded
US Customary - Metric

Recommended Products

Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef's Knife
Liquid Measuring Cup Set
Dry Measuring Cups
High Heat Resistant Spatula
De Cecco Cavatappi Pasta

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients, except Cheese to the Pressure Cooker cooking pot.
  • Lock on lid and close Pressure Valve.  Cook at High Pressure for 2 minutes.
  • When Beep is heard, allow a 3 minute Natural Pressure Release and then release the rest of the steam.
  • Open lid and break apart any clumps.  Slowly add the cheese, stirringuntil melted.
  • Top with Crispy Bacon Topping, if desired.

Notes

Amount of cheese is a personal preference, so start with the lower amount and add more, until desired amount is achieved.
My 'Rule of Thumb' is to cook pasta for 1/2 the lesser cook time stated on package and then subtract 2 minutes and add an NPR.
Used Diced Green Chiles if you do not have Jalapeño Peppers.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 678 Calories from Fat 333
% Daily Value*
Fat 37g57%
Saturated Fat 19g119%
Cholesterol 121mg40%
Sodium 1045mg45%
Potassium 509mg15%
Carbohydrates 61g20%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 1075IU22%
Vitamin C 9.1mg11%
Calcium 73mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @ThisOldGalCooks or tag #thisoldgalcooks!
© ThisOldGal.com - Sharing the recipe link to any of my recipes posts are both encouraged and appreciated. Unauthorized and improperly attributed or non-attributed use of this material, including screen shots, copy/paste of full recipes to any social media site, website, mobile application or service (e.g., copymethat, recipe keeper, pepper) or cookbook, without the requisite attribution or otherwise with express written permission from Jill Selkowitz is strictly prohibited. You may share a photo with a link back instead.

PIN this Pressure Cooker Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese!

Pressure Cooker Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese

Pressure Cooker Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and Cheese

1.4K shares
  • 561
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April 17, 2017

About Jill Selkowitz

Hi, I'm Jill. I'm a mom to Tonkinese cats and enjoy sharing restaurant quality meals, easily made at home. With my easy step by step photos and directions, new cooks will be able to follow along and cook like rock stars.

Comments

  1. Houseful says

    December 13, 2020 at 9:29 pm

    5 stars
    Husband loved it! I used 3 different cheeses 🧀…fabulous way to use left over ham!

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    August 10, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    5 stars
    This was incredible. My whole family loved it!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      August 11, 2017 at 12:58 am

      Hi Jennifer. I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you. Jill

      Reply
  3. Ann says

    July 12, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    Is the pasta cooked? Or do you add it uncooked?

    Reply
    • Jill says

      July 13, 2017 at 6:34 pm

      Ann, raw. Jill

      Reply
  4. Barbara Mockridge says

    June 17, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    EXCELLENT!

    Reply
  5. Linda says

    June 8, 2017 at 6:48 am

    5 stars
    Could this recipe be doubled in the pressure cooker?

    Reply
  6. Joyce says

    April 17, 2017 at 11:53 pm

    5 stars
    Your recipes always prove to be winners!! Every time I make your NY cheesecake it is a big hit! Thanks for sharing all your recipes, the wonderful hints and suggested equipment.

    Reply

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