Instant Pot Slow Cook Beef and Macaroni
Welcome! Are you in the mood for a hearty and satisfying meal that is also easy to prepare? Look no further than Instant Pot Slow Cook Beef and Macaroni. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Let’s make this mouth-watering dish!
Cooking for One
Cooking for one can be challenging. Most recipes are designed for four or more servings. So, what to do? You have two options: either adjust the ingredients to make fewer servings or modify the recipe to make it freezable. This time, I recommend the freezable option.
This recipe is basically a modified goulash type dish. It’s fast, easy, tasty, and filling! And the best part is that you can divide it into portions and freeze it for future meals. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 pd ground beef
- 1 small onion
- half of a green pepper, chopped
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 10 3/4 oz can cheddar cheese soup – Fiesta Cheese Soup for a bit of extra “kick”
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup of macaroni, cooked
- Shredded cheddar cheese to top (optional)
Saute onion in olive oil or butter in the Instant Pot using the Saute setting. When onions are getting brown, add ground beef and green pepper. Cook until the ground beef is browned. Turn off Instant Pot and pour off drippings.
Add all the ingredients except for macaroni and shredded cheese. Mix together.
Cover. Use an Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid for best results. Select the Slow Cooker button and set time to 1 1/2 hours. Stir occasionally.
When Instant Pot beeps, add macaroni and mix well. Set time for 30 minutes and to prevent over cooking, check macaroni after 15 minutes to see if done. If not, allow it to cook longer.
Serve and enjoy!
Freezing for Future Meals
Allow Beef and Macaroni completely cool. Line 2 cup glass bowls with aluminum foil.
Spray aluminum foil with non-stick spray. Spoon beef and macaroni into bowl filling to the serving size you prefer.
Freeze for several hours or overnight. When frozen remove from bowl, wrap with aluminum foil and put in a freezer bag. Squish air out of bag and close. If you have a food saver like I do, vacuum seal meals. Label and store in the freezer.
To reheat – remove aluminum foil, place back into a 2 cup glass bowl and let thaw overnight. Pop in the microwave for 2 minutes. You can also reheat on the stove while making side dishes.
Additional Tips for Cooking Beef and Macaroni
Here are some additional tips to make this dish even more flavorful and healthy:
- Try using ground chicken or turkey instead of beef to make it a bit healthier.
- Add some diced tomatoes, mushrooms, or other veggies to the mix to add some extra nutrition and flavor.
- If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still use a slow cooker or even cook it on the stove. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the meat is cooked through and the macaroni is tender.
- Experiment with different spices and herbs to find your perfect flavor combination. Some options include garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and oregano.
Remember, cooking should be fun and flexible, so don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own!
Advantages of Instant Pot Slow Cooker Beef and Macaroni
The Instant Pot is a multi-functional kitchen appliance that can be used as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and yogurt maker. Using it as a slow cooker means that you can set it and forget it, and come back to a delicious meal that has been cooking for hours. The Instant Pot Slow Cooker Beef and Macaroni recipe is perfect for busy individuals who want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
What I love about using the Slow Cooker feature is once the cook time has been reached the setting automatically switches to Keep Warm. This means my food won’t be overcooked if I’m not able to turn off the cooker when the time is done.
Another advantage of using an Instant Pot as a slow cooker is that it cooks food evenly and quickly. This means that the flavors in the dish are enhanced, and the meat is tender and juicy. The Instant Pot Slow Cooker Beef and Macaroni is a great example of this, as the beef is perfectly cooked and the macaroni is not overcooked or mushy.
It would be awesome to hear your thoughts on this yummy Instant Pot Slow Cooker Beef and Macaroni dish. Don’t be shy, drop a comment below to let us know what you think!
If you enjoyed this, you might also want to check out these other dishes below.
Instant Pot Goodness!
Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Creamy, hearty and flavorful meal-sized soup for one (or two). Yukon gold potatoes, bacon and cheese give a flavorful, yummy taste!
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
A quick and filling dish that tastes just like it came from a restaurant.
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Just So You Know
Recipe Heads Up
I just want to remind you that I’ve tested and verified the recipes in this post. I do my best to make sure the supply list is complete and the instructions are correct. However, I can’t guarantee that you’ll have the same results. There are certain factors that can affect the outcome of a recipe, such as altitude, oven temperature, and ingredient quality.
I also want to let you know that I cannot be held responsible for any allergic reactions or other adverse effects caused by consuming these recipes. If you have any food allergies or sensitivities, please be careful when preparing and consuming these dishes.
I hope you enjoy using these recipes! By using them, you agree to hold the me harmless for any injuries, damages, or other negative effects that may arise from their use.
Happy cooking!
Instant Pot Slow Cooker Beef & Macaroni
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. K
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion
- 1 pd ground beef
- half of a green pepper, chopped
- 1 cup of macaroni, cooked
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 10 3/4 oz can cheddar cheese soup - Fiesta Cheese Soup for a bit of extra “kick”
- 1 cup water
- Shredded cheddar cheese to top (optional)
Instructions
- Saute onion in olive oil or butter in the Instant Pot using the Saute setting. When onions are getting brown, add ground beef and green pepper. Cook until the ground beef is browned. Turn off Instant Pot and pour off drippings.
- Add all the ingredients except for macaroni and shredded cheese. Mix together.
- Cover. Use an Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid for best results. Select the Slow Cooker button and set time to 1 1/2 hours. Stir occasionally.
- When Instant Pot beeps, add macaroni and mix well. Set time for 30 minutes and to prevent over cooking, check macaroni after 15 minutes to see if done. If not, allow it to cook longer.
- Serve and enjoy!
