Ah, the sizzle of ground beef in the kitchen, a sound that brings back memories of cozy weeknight dinners. There’s something about a homemade version of Hamburger Helper that feels like a warm hug, especially when it’s as easy as this Instant Pot recipe. Can I just say, it’s like a nostalgic trip down memory lane—only creamier and faster?
Steps
- Begin by adding vegetable oil to your Instant Pot and set it to the sauté mode. Add ground beef and diced yellow onion, cooking until the beef is nearly done, around 5 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, kosher salt, and black pepper into the pot. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Pour in 1/4 cup of the beef broth and use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits, preventing burning during pressure cooking.
- Add the remaining beef broth and dry elbow macaroni, stirring to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Secure the lid of the Instant Pot, seal the pressure valve, and set the cooking time to 5 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the steam valve. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until it is fully melted and well-combined.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni (dry)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 3984kcal | Carbohydrates: 276g | Protein: 228g | Fat: 210g | Saturated Fat: 120g | Cholesterol: 696mg | Sodium: 5454mg | Potassium: 4056mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 4800IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 3372mg | Iron: 15.6mg
FAQ
- Are Instant Pots Safe to Use?
- Yes, Instant Pots are designed with safety in mind. They come with a built-in safety feature that prevents the lid from being opened until it is safe to do so. Additionally, always ensure the pressure valve vents away from cabinets due to the release of hot steam. Avoid overfilling the pot and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe operation.
- How Do You Cook Ground Beef in an Instant Pot?
- The Instant Pot features a sauté function, allowing you to brown ground beef directly in the pot without needing an extra pan. Simply set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and cook the beef until browned.
- Can You Make Hamburger Helper in an Instant Pot?
- Absolutely! The Instant Pot can cook Hamburger Helper from start to finish, offering a homemade version that surpasses the boxed variety. For those without a pressure cooker, there are alternative stovetop recipes available.
- Is the Instant Pot Dishwasher Safe?
- Yes, the stainless steel cooking vessel of the Instant Pot can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The lid can also be washed in the dishwasher, preferably on the top rack.
- What Ingredients Are Needed for Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni?
- To make this dish, you’ll need vegetable oil, ground beef, diced yellow onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, low-sodium beef broth, shredded cheddar cheese, and dry elbow macaroni.
Tips
- Always remember to use the sauté function on your Instant Pot for browning the ground beef. This saves you from dirtying an extra pan and ensures the beef is cooked thoroughly before adding other ingredients.
- Don’t forget to deglaze the pot with a small amount of beef broth after browning the beef. Scraping the bottom helps prevent any stuck bits from triggering the burn warning during pressure cooking.
- Ensure that the macaroni is fully submerged in the broth before sealing the Instant Pot. This helps in even cooking and prevents any pasta pieces from becoming undercooked or crunchy.
- After cooking, quickly release the steam and stir in the cheese thoroughly, allowing it to melt and combine well with the other ingredients for a creamy finish.
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker – Essential for cooking the recipe as described.
- Cheese Grater – If you need to shred cheddar cheese from a block.
- Meat Chopper/Spatula – Useful for breaking up and browning the ground beef while cooking.
