Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner is better for your wallet and tastes like it came from the famous blue box, but withoutthe taste of a cardboard box.

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (1)

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

I know, I know, but there are so many people who love the boxed stuff and have asked me how to cook it in a Pressure Cooker. Well, here is your chance to make a Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, on the Stove Top or in a Pressure Cooker, in larger portions,without the Blue box that has been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long.

While, this Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinnerstill isn’t as homemade as my Instant Pot or Pressure CookerMacaroni and Cheese, or my Pressure Cooker Creamy Mexican Macaroni and Cheese, it is stillcheaper than usingthe Blue Box. Plus, you can make a whole pound of macaroni, if you like.

At the very least, you now have the Pressure Cookermethodto make a box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. So, here we go……………………………………

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (2)

Cast of Ingredients for Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

If you can, get the De Cecco brand of Elbow Macaroni. It holds up much better in a Pressure Cooker and is more forgiving than most of the other brands.

Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Mactastes pretty identical tothe Kraft Mac & Cheese Dinner, as the ingredients are quite similar; they did a great job with the recreation and recipe! I like the products from this company, as they are always fresh and very tasty. The Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Mix is what I use too.

It is great on popcorn, I mean really great! The tastes of the two options are pretty identical, but the Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Macwas made to mix into pasta better.

If you don’t want the orange color, try the Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Mac No Color Added Mix.

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (3)

Elbow Macaroni, Water, Butter

Pour the whole box of De Cecco brand of Elbow Macaroni into the Instant Pot or Pressure Cookercooking pot and cover with fresh water, about 4 cups. Drop in the butter.

If using the Stove Top Method, cook the pasta according to package directions and drain. Mix in the then mix in the Butter and Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Mac/MilkMixture (described below) and enjoy!

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (4)

Add cut up Hot Dogs, if desired

If you like Hot Dogs with your Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, add it in to the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker, along with the dry pasta and water.

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (5)

Add Big Daddy Mac to Milk

Using your Measuring Cups, whisk in the Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Mac until combined. It won’t completely combine, so don’t be alarmed.

I used the Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Mix here, because that is what I had on hand. As I said above, the Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Macwill mix in better.

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (6)

Whisk the Big Daddy Mac into the Milk or Cream

Whisk the Big Daddy Mac into the milk, as best you can. Once the mixture gets stirred into the hot macaroni the powder will blend.

For a creamier taste, use half milk and half sour cream or Homemade Yogurt. The Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Macwill mix in easier to the sour cream or Homemade Yogurt.

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (7)

Gently Unclump the Macaroni

The Elbow Macaroni will clump together a bit. Ever so gently, take a Spatula and break up the Elbow Macaroni if it is stuck together (which it most likely will be).

If you want to prevent sticking, add a bit more water and butter and then dump out the excess water after cooking. If you do that, add in more butter when you add in the Milk and Big Daddy Mac.

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (8)

Pour in the Milk

Dump in the milk and Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Macand mix together.

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (9)

Mix to combine

As you mix, the Big Daddy Mac powder will melt into the pasta. If you prefer a looser sauce, add in a little more milk.

Taste the Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner and if you feel it is missing something, add in a drop ofthe Hot Sauce (if you haven’t added it in with the water because you were unsure). See if that gives you the Blue Box taste.

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (10)

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner with Hot Dogs

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Diner, without the cardboard box taste!

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

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!

Here is the handy printable recipe:

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (11)

Copycat Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Save Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Pressure Release: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 4 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 448kcal

Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

Optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add pasta, butter and water to Pressure Cooker cooking pot.

  • Lock on lid and close Pressure Valve.

  • Cook at High Pressure for 2 minutes.

  • When Beep is heard, carefully do a Quick Release.

  • Open lid and stir in the Big Daddy Mac/Milk mixture. Stir until combined.

Stove Top Method

  • Cook pasta according to package directions and then drain.

  • Add butter and the Big Daddy Mac/Milk mixture. Stir until combined.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Copycat Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner

Amount Per Serving (0 g)

Calories 448Calories from Fat 180

% Daily Value*

Fat 20g31%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Cholesterol 55mg18%

Sodium 474mg21%

Potassium 239mg7%

Carbohydrates 50g17%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 14g28%

Vitamin A 480IU10%

Calcium 145mg15%

Iron 1.6mg9%

* 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 Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (Pressure Cooker or Stove Top)!

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (12)

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (13)

Copycat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 6073

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.