What do hamburger helper, Rice-A-Roni, mac and cheese, ramen noodles, a brownie mix and a box of stuffing all have in common? Many things, probably. But the one I’m focusing on today is that you can make all of them in the Instant Pot. Ridiculous? Yes, perhaps. LOL. But just in case you were wondering I’ve tested them all in the Instant Pot and am going to share with you what I found out…
Boxed Mac and Cheese in the Instant Pot
First up is that 67 cent box of mac and cheese. I was even too cheap to buy Kraft and went for the Kroger brand. But I’m pretty sure they’re all going to cook about the same in the Instant Pot. Here’s how to make it:
- Pour the macaroni noodles into the bottom of your Instant Pot. Save the powdered cheese package for later.
- Pour in 1 1/2 cups + 2 Tbsp of water into the pot. Make sure all the noodles are covered with the water.
- Lid on, vent sealed. 3 minutes high pressure.
- Perform a quick release. If foam starts coming out move the valve back to sealing and wait 20 seconds and then try again.
- Remove the lid. Stir. Stir in the butter and milk (amounts on the back of the package) and the contents of the cheese packet. Stir until butter melts. Serve and enjoy(?).
Results: If you’re going to make boxed mac and cheese this is an easy way to do it (not sure if it’s easier than just cooking on the stove?). The pot reached pressure fairly quickly because the pot isn’t that full. Using the quick release made the process pretty fast. It took 13 minutes from start to finish for me. This could easily be doubled or tripled, just be careful of foam sputtering out the valve when you do the quick release.
Ramen Noodles in the Instant Pot
I have to admit ramen noodles are usually in our pantry. It’s one of the only boxed foods that I buy. Every now and then we make them for our kids on a Saturday for lunch. And secretly I usually have a few bites of them. Here’s how to make ramen noodles in the Instant Pot.
- Pour 2 cups of water in the Instant Pot.
- Pour in noodles and open the seasoning and pour that in too.
- Lid on, vent sealed. Set the pressure cook time to 0 (zero!). Yes, you can do this. Cool huh?
- Quick release, remove lid. Stir and serve.
Results: I actually really liked this method of cooking ramen noodles. And it will probably be used by me in the future! I set everything in the pot and walked away. When I heard the beeping I performed a quick release and the noodles were perfectly cooked. I thought they might be overdone but by using a zero minute pressure cook time and a quick release they didn’t get mushy. You could easily double or triple this.
Hamburger Helper in the Instant Pot
I don’t think I’ve had Hamburger Helper in about 17 years. Seriously. Ha ha!! When my husband and I first got married we ate a lot of Pasta Roni but not so much Hamburger Helper. Both are probably disgusting to me now. Sorry not sorry.
- Brown a pound of ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey) in your Instant Pot using your saute function. Drain off any excess grease.
- Deglaze the pot by pouring in 1 cup of water. Then add in the box of Hamburger Helper and the seasonings. Add in 1 3/4 cup of milk.
- Lid on, vent sealed. Set the pressure cook time to 0 (zero).
- Perform a quick release. If foam starts coming out move the valve back to sealing and wait 20 seconds and then try again.
- Stir. Serve.
Results: This was probably the least favorite thing of all 6 items I tried. By pouring in the milk initially the texture was a little weird (perhaps curdled). To prevent that I might add in evaporated milk instead. It had quite a bit of liquid when I first opened the pot but after letting it sit a minute the noodles soaked it up. I just don’t think Hamburger Helper is that great any way you prepare it.
Try my HOMEMADE Instant Pot Hamburger Helper instead!
Boxed Stuffing in the Instant Pot
When I was young I loved Stovetop Stuffing. I don’t know what it was about it, but I just really liked when my mom would make it. Now as an adult I’m not too fond of boxed stuffing mixes. I don’t even really love homemade stuffing all that much. I know my husband thinks it’s the best part of Thanksgiving but I’m more of a homemade roll girl. My husband actually really liked the boxed stuffing that I made in the Instant Pot. Haha!! He said it was “super moist.”
- Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into the Instant Pot. Sprinkle contents of package on top. Add amount of butter indicated on package. Don’t stir.
- Lid on, vent sealed.
- Set the pressure cook time to 0 (zero).
- Perform a quick release. If foam starts coming out move the valve back to sealing and wait 20 seconds and then try again.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
Results: There was a little bit of stickage that happened on the bottom of the pot, but not too bad. I ate a bite. My husband and kids ate it fairly happily.
Boxed Rice-A-Roni in the Instant Pot
Again, I went with the store brand on the rice-a-roni. This particular variety was a pilaf of rice and orzo and it sounded good. I actually really like rice-a-roni…it’s been a few years since I’ve made it but I remember liking it. Here’s how I made it:
- Add 1 1/2 cups + 2 Tbsp water to the pot. Add in the contents of the box (seasonings too) and 1 Tbsp of butter.
- Lid on, vent sealed. Set the timer for 5 minutes.
- Perform a quick release. If foam starts coming out move the valve back to sealing and wait 20 seconds and then try again.
- Stir the rice and serve.
Results: the texture of the rice and orzo was creamy and perfect. The taste…not so good. The seasoning packet was way too overpowering and salty. I wonder if that’s because I bought the store brand???
Boxed Brownies in the Instant Pot
Boxed brownies are one of those things that I think are pretty good. Usually I’m all about homemade foods but boxed brownies get a pass from me. Especially the ghirardelli brand. YUM! Don’t get me wrong I totally prefer my homemade brownies over any brand of boxed mix but if you’re in a pinch the boxed brownies will do.
- Mix the brownie mix according to the directions on the package (mine had egg, oil and water to add).
- Pour the batter into a greased 7 inch by 3 inch cake pan. I used this Fat Daddios Cake Pan.* Cover the pan with foil. This will prevent drippage from coming down on the top of your brownies.
- Pour one cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot. Place the trivet in the bottom of the pot*.
- Prepare a foil sling or make a sling out of a silicone baking mat like I did (pictured below). My friend Barbara gave me this idea.
- Place the cake pan that is covered with foil on top of the trivet and sling.
- Lid on, vent closed.
- Use the STEAM button for this recipe. Set the timer for 60 minutes.
- Quick release. Use the sling to remove the pan. Careful it’s hot!
- Serve the brownies with ice cream and eat hot or cold.
I cut up a silicone baking mat to make a reusable sling for my Instant Pot.
Results: So you may be wondering why in the world you would use your Instant Pot to cook brownies when it takes LESS time in the oven. Well, I don’t know. Just because you thought it would be fun, maybe. Or maybe you don’t have an oven. Yes it does take an hour of cooking time. However, I have to tell you that the results were pretty cool. If you’re expecting normal brownies then you’ll be disappointed. What came out of the pan was a cross between a brownie and a piece of fudge. They were ultra moist and dense and dark. I literally had one square and was satisfied. This is saying a lot because I am hardly satisfied with one portion of a dessert. My family thought they were soooo good. Here is a video of what they looked like:
Brownies made in the Instant Pot come out very thick and dense. It reminds me of a cross between a piece of fudge and a brownie.
So there you have it! 6 boxed items you can make in the Instant Pot. Now whether you will or not is another story 🙂 What is the weirdest thing you have attempted to make in your Instant Pot???
Here are some other articles I bet you might like…
5 things you didn’t know you could do with your blender
5 outside of the box ways to use your slow cooker
5 things you didn’t know about slow cooking
5 more things you didn’t know about slow cooking
What Pressure Cooker Did You Use?
For all of these items I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. I love this Instant Pot because it has the yogurt making function which I use almost weekly. It has two pressure settings (high and low), and there are also little slots in the handles so that you can rest the lid there instead of putting it down on your counter-top.
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For the ramen noodles, the 2 cups of water are for ONE packet?
yes that’s what I did 🙂
We have been experimenting lately with “baking” in ours. I have made a couple of different banana breads which we liked. I cook them in a small bundt pan. My favorite so far is packaged corn bread/muffin mix. I substitute the milk with buttermilk, dice up a jalapeno and add about a quarter cup of fresh or frozen corn. We make that in the small bundt pan as well. We have made the corn bread many times. All of these items come out denser than if oven baked, take at least as much time to cook, but are yum yum yum
I like that idea about the jalapeno and corn! yum!
Your homemade Hamburger Helper is so much better than the boxed and takes about the same amount of time to cook.
I have made brownies in the IP and brought them to my family. They took an hour to cook and in three minutes, they were GONE!
I agree with the homemade hamburger helper! It is so good!
Of course they were gone Colleen! Yum!
Waiting for a printable . Some nights I am lazy–live alone so a box would be perfect.
A printable of all these boxed foods? I should do that!
Hello Karen,
First, I have to say Thank You for sharing all of your wonder IP recipes – I’ve made so many that I can’t recall how many … and every time I am pondering the possibility of making something in my IP, I will receive your email with the recipe — IP Cabbage Roll Soup is one example!
I have a curious question for you. Have you / can you place a glass bowl (pyrex) inside of the IP to prepare the packaged Mac & Cheese? I’ve never used a bowl inside of my IP — have you used this technique?
Thanks again for sharing !
I have used an oven safe glass pyrex before and it does work. I would increase the cooking time though a bit.
Truly enjoyed reading your page and appreciate the honesty regarding your results. I have come to love cooking dinner for my family thanks to my instant pot!!
Thank you Meghanne!
The Stove Top Stuffing did not work for me. I put the 1 1/2 cups of water in my 6 qt Instant Pot and it did not come to pressure. I followed your directions and it never came to pressure. When I was able to open the lid, there was steam. The bottom of the pot had some stuffing stuck to it. Not sure what went wrong, and why it didn’t come to pressure. I did not stir as directed, maybe not enough water for it work? Thanks for all the great recipes and inspirations for new cooking!!!
Sounds like it couldn’t come to pressure because it burned to the bottom. Perhaps you could do this using the pot in pot method instead?
Want to make Rice a Roni Spanish Rice in my IP. After sautéing the rice in the butter, how much water and for what duration do I pressurize the rice which includes vermicelli and diced tomatoes? TIA
Add 1 1/2 cups + 2 Tbsp water to the pot. Add in the contents of the box (seasonings too).
Lid on, vent sealed. Set the pressure button for 5 minutes.
Perform a quick release. If foam starts coming out move the valve back to sealing and wait 20 seconds and then try again.
Stir the rice and serve.
Hi.
I have a insignia 8 qt pressure cooker and it doesn’t have a manual button on it. What would I put the settings on to make these recipes. It’s my first time using a pressure cooker so any advice would be very grateful!
Does it have a basic pressure cook button? Use that.
Why the double sling? How would you pick it up? I love the reusable idea though!!!!
you can put the two slings perpendicular to each other and have two handles. I have also just used one sling and it works great.
if you double or triple ramen do you add more than the 2 cups of water? Thanks!
If you want it more brothy then yes 🙂
I’m curious as to why you need a sling for the brownies when the pan is sitting on the IP rack? If the sling is to remove the brownies, wouldn’t the rack be enough to do the same?
yes you can use that if you have a rack with handles. Some of the racks do not have handles.
I have an insta pot, but it is not a pressure cooker, but it does do everything else. What I find is it goes dry and burns easily. I have tried the same dishes on different settings and the only way I can get it to not overcook is to cook with another dish inside the insta pot. Do you have any suggestions to be able to cook without burning or overclocking.
Thank you Linda L.
Linda I am not familiar with this Instant Pot. I’m sorry you’re having issues with it. Is there a way to adjust the temperature down?
First let me say that I enjoy getting your daily recipes. I never thought much of Hamburger Helper but now I find it just as easy and probably healthier to make my own in the Instant Pot. My grandson can’t get enough.
Thanks for all your hard work Karen. It makes our lives easier.
Thanks Irma!!
for those who want whole food or don’t want to use the hamburger helper, there is a mock hamburger helper recipe on here from about a month ago that is a scratch one pot meal with ground beef. probably every bit as easy us using the hamburger helper box. I tried it and it was really good.
Yep! I love it too Rebecca. Thanks for mentioning it.
Thank you for easy directions. I tried to make Trader Joe’s Orzo Pilaf in my IP tonight and it was a bit of a fail. How do you know how much water to put in? For your generic Rice a Roni experiment, did you use the amount of liquid from the directions on the box or use another method? I used 2 tbsp butter and 2 cups water to 7 oz rice. I followed another recipe and sautéed butter first to melt and then sautéed the rice. I think that is unnecessary and lots of times skip those steps on stove too. After this, I cooked on rice setting for 12min and did quick release. It was too wet. I cooked another 4 min on rice setting with quick release. I think I cooked another 3 min. Lots of rice stuck to bottom of pan and I guess it finally wasn’t too “wet”.
Darn! I wish I knew a better answer to your question besides I just use trial and error. I also use this rice chart (https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-brown-rice/) to help guide me. Since rice a roni is already parboiled the time would be shorter and probably not as much water is needed.
Last night I used 2 boxes of Zatarains to make dinner. Feeding a family of 5.
1 sm box of red rice & bean
1 lg box of dirty rice
1 can corn with juice
1 can stewed tomatoes with juice
1 Cup of dry soy protein
6 Cups water
6min pressure cook
Quick release.
Stir taste beans.
They were still a bit crunchy
So I set my pressure to ZERO
Let it self release as I prepared the other ingredients for taco/fajita.
It turned out tasty.
Next time I’d use a lg box of bean & bean. And double the soy protein. I may even sauté onion & garlic first.
Thanks for doing this. I’m one of those people that is trying to use my ip for everything. I’m currently in an RV while my husband is traveling for work. Having to wait forever for something to boil or cook in the oven is excruciating. Everything is run on propane= hot. And in Texas it’s been °100 days so added heat from cooking is miserable. The ip doesn’t make the RV stuffy and hot. So I’ll be trying some of these out! Thank you!!
How cool! Thanks for sharing this. I’m glad that this could be helpful to you 🙂
Thanks
Hi Karen,
Thanks for testing these for us. I made Rice-a-Roni tonight, adding a pound of chicken tenders to make it a complete meal. I thought the rice/pasta was a little on the soft side, but I did briefly sauté the rice before pressure cooking. Perhaps I should have reduced the time by a minute to account for the pre-cooking.
The chicken didn’t pick up any of the seasoning (sad face), so next time I’ll do a quick brine with a little of the seasoning packet. Still, it was an easy, one-pot, tasty meal that I won’t mind repeating, because I love to dump things in a pot and walk away.
I’m so glad you tried it. Thanks for sharing what you did!
Personally, I LOVE your post. I have an ‘instant pot’ because I appreciate the idea of just throwing everything in and walking away, not having to stand at the stove & stir this, add that, etc. I’ll be taking your ideas & extending them to other boxed mixes, and copycat home made ones I make. Thank you!! #RamblingBoho
Thank you so much! I think it’s fun to experiment with everything in the IP 🙂
Are there printables of these boxes recipes?
WAH! No, but I really should do that shouldn’t I?
this totally disappointed me as to how to use the instantpot. the boxes you chose are instant enough. i love my pot for the fact that i can prepare a meal while keeping the nutrients.
Then why watch this Carol? So negative, shame on you and your “nutritious” cooking.
I am disabled and have the use of only one hand. And can no longer safely boil noodles and drain them…
My 3 children love Mac & cheese with broccoli. On the stove I would boil my noodles a total of 7 minutes. But when 3 min were left I’d add in the broccoli pieces. So your Mac & Cheese recipe I’m so thankful for!
Plus I learned the ZERO time on the IP, pressure cook. I will try cooking 1 pkg of angle hair spaghetti on this ZERO time, and see if the noodles are mushy, cooked, or crunchy. With no water to drain…
Except for the lady trying to survive in an RV in 100 degree weather or a college kid, there is no reason to eat any of this white trash dreck EVER. And especially not when you have an IP at your disposal.
Who died and made you the food police? You obviously don’t understand the problems some people have.
You obviously have never had a kid who is a very picky eater and will only eat certain things and those things happen to be what you call white trash dreck. Don’t be so effing judgy. Some ppl can’t afford fresh ingredients, live in limited incomes, etc. this is the real world, lady and some of us do what we can. Shame on you for shaming others!
I’m confused. You said set the timer for 5min and then you said set the press. cook to 0min . What timer do you set to 5 min? TIA This is for the Rice pilaf.
OOPS! That was a typo. It is a 5 minute cooking time. I just corrected it. Thanks for the heads up 🙂
This is awesome for someone who would be determined to cook everything in their Instant Pot. However, there are some things I will not change, haha. The simple things. Too bad the hamburger helper was the least favourite, because, that would be one I would do. You can saute the hamburger and throw in the rest including addons like veggies. Thank you tho!!
Hi Adele, maybe you’d like the hamburger helper. I just don’t like hamburger helper at all. So no matter how it was prepared I don’t think I’d like it!
I have a small mat that I can use like you did for a sling. Thank you for your idea. I knew someone would find a free way to make one
I am so excited about it! It is totally going to come in handy 🙂
Fun post – interesting to read how things turned out. I would probably not ever need to cook any of these things in an IP, but someone with a limited kitchen (college dorm, RV, etc.) could find this helpful!
That’s what I was thinking…college kids!