“My Kids Favorite Casserole”

Cheesy pasta, smoked sausage and vegetables make an easy one pot meal that kids love! Make it in your Instant Pot in just a few minutes.

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“My Kids Favorite Casserole” Instant Pot Recipe

I came across a recipe called “My Kids Favorite Casserole” as I was perusing the internet. I was intrigued and had to see what the recipe entailed. Basically it was a box of mac and cheese with ham and vegetables. I thought that sounded like something little kids would like. My family isn’t the biggest fans of boxed mac and cheese so I gave the original recipe a makeover that makes everyone happy…kids and adults. It’s basically homemade mac and cheese with smoked sausage, vegetables and a crispy potato chip topping. It’s easy and delicious! I hope it becomes your kids’ favorite dinner!

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

• Pre-cooked smoked sausage–or cubes of ham
• Water–or broth
• Elbow macaroni–or pasta shells
• Butter
• Liquid smoke
• Kosher salt
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Ground mustard
• Half and half–or cream or milk
• Grated cheddar, grated monterey jack and grated colby jack–you can also do just cheddar
• Bag of your favorite frozen vegetables–cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, mixed vegetables are all good choices
• Crushed potato chips–or cornflakes

Steps

1. Add ingredients in layers: Place the smoked sausage evenly on the bottom of your Instant Pot. If you want to make this even better than brown the sausage first. Then pour in the water. Dump in the pasta in an even layer. Add the butter, liquid smoke, kosher salt, paprika, pepper and ground mustard. Don’t stir.
2. Pressure cook: Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When the time is up let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid. 
3. Cheese it up: Stir. It will seem like there is a lot of liquid, don’t worry. Slowly stir in the half and half and cheeses. The cheese will get melty and the sauce will thicken up. If it is still too runny you can thicken with a cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl stir together 1 Tbsp of cornstarch with 1-2 Tbsp of water, until smooth. Then pour the mixture into the Instant Pot. Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. The cornstarch mixture will thicken up contents of pot quickly.
4. Add vegetables: Steam frozen vegetables in the microwave (follow directions on package). Stir the vegetables into the Instant Pot.
5. Serve: Scoop onto plates and top each serving with a few tablespoons of crushed potato chips.

Notes/Tips

• We served this as a one pot meal. However you can add a side salad or some garlic toast on the side.
• I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Other recipes you can make with liquid smoke are Instant Pot/Crockpot “Smoked” Pulled Pork and Instant Pot Smoky Mountain Casserole.

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6 More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes To Love…

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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.