Ninja Foodi makes MACARONI AND CHEESE simple with a pressure cooker and air fryer in one.
Multiple layers of whole cream, butter, and cheese make up a traditional, classic, homemade macaroni and cheese. Plus check out variations to truly make this 20 minute dinner your own.
This is a simple, no fuss, easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe perfect for your Ninja Foodi. Because this recipe requires both a pressure cooker and an air fryer, it’s uniquely made for a Foodi, but if you already have pre-made pasta, you could likely do this recipe in any Air Fryer from that point in the recipe.
Ninja Foodi Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
My family is really picky about macaroni and does not like extra additives, but mac and cheese is one of those great recipes to get creative with. Down below I have listed a few variations to amp up your recipe if you want.
Texture of this recipe: Just like oven baked mac n cheese!
Scroll to the bottom for a printable version of this post, including all measurements and instructions, so you can follow along in your kitchen without being on your phone.
Here is what you need to gather to get started:
- Macaroni Elbows
- Butter
- Water
- Heavy whipping cream
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Salt & Pepper
NOTE ON CHEESE: Shredded Cheddar is the cheese typically used for a homemade recipe like this, but my kids personally find cheddar a bit bitter. Cheese blends create a softer more savory and less bitter taste when considering assembling your recipe.
Don’t have a Foodi? YOU GOTTA GET ONE. Check out current price on all the machines here.
Pressure Cook Macaroni Noodles
- Before you get started, you first need to pressure cook the macaroni noodles.
- Add entire box of Pasta and four cups of water into Ninja Foodi Pressure cooker on HIGH for 6 MINUTES.
- Once done, use QUICK RELEASE.
- There should be no water left. Once macaroni noodles are tender and ready, move onto step two of this recipe.
Air Fryer Macaroni and Cheese
- This is step two once noodles are pressure cooked!
- Leaving your cooked macaroni noodles in the pressure cooker bowl, add nearly all of the shredded cheese (reserving a bit for a top layer), pats of butter, heavy whipping cream and salt and pepper.
- Mix all ingredients well.
- Top with last bit of shredded cheese and close up with the Air Fryer lid.
- Air Fry macaroni for 5-7 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Open lid and check on melted cheese.
- Macaroni is ready when top is bubble and slightly brown.
Macaroni and Cheese Variations
As mentioned above, this recipe is a simple, classic macaroni and cheese to easily make in your Ninja Foodi. Here are a few ideas to change this recipe up.
- Add a can of Rotel Tomatoes.
- Cooked hamburger meat for some protein.
- For the top layer, add a bit of crunchy French onions or bread crumbs to vary the topping before you Air Fry.
- Add minced garlic into the noodles.
More Ninja Foodi Recipes
Right now I am really building up and sharing my Ninja Foodi recipes. I LOVE working with it and its become a staple in my home, and I hope yours. The all in one machine is amazing. Just a few recipes I have made are side dishes like the Ninja Foodi Green Beans and Bacon, full on meals like Ninja Foodi Chicken, and appetizers like the Ninja Foodi Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos.
If you do not own one but want dinner to be easy, you really should consider the investment. What I like about the Ninja Foodi is that I can pressure cook, saute, slow cook, air fryer – literally all kitchen tools in one.
I have found that this machine products the best results in an instant and having tested the Instant Pot, Vortex, and the Ninja Foodi, I ADORE this machine.
Check out the specs and see if its a fit for you:
Once you have it, here are some amazing recipes you can test out that are easy for beginners:
- Pressure Cooker Chicken and Pasta Noodles
- Pressure Cooker Garlic Butter Artichokes
- Amazing Air Fryer Salmon in the Ninja Foodi
- Ninja Foodi Crispy Bacon and Red Potatoes
- Ninja Foodi Marinated Chicken Wings in Minutes
Made this recipe? Come back and tell me what you loved (or didn’t!) so I can continue to improve. My readers help make these recipes great!
Comments & Reviews
Carolyn Wessel says
I made this tonight for our dinner. I cut the recipe in half, because there are only two of us. I am not a huge Mac and cheese fan, but this is very good. My husband makes a delicious mac & cheese casserole, and this is very similar to his, only it takes very minimal amount of time compared to his. I love how easy it is to make. And the taste is amazing! I will definitely make this again!
Trisha says
I am so happy that you commented! I think you are the first person to let me know you tried it, thank you!!
Cindy says
Omgosh this is seriously my favorite mac & cheese ever! I made it for Christmas (which I don’t usually do but my very pregnant daughter requested it). I had just gotten my Foodi abt 3 weeks earlier for my bday. This recipe rocks! I am now on my 3rd roubd of making it, now for NYE dinner. Pro tip: Add some crumbled bacon and/or french fried onions for a perfectly crispy top! Thank you!
Sarah says
Made this for the first time and my husband went back for thirds and also took leftovers to work the next day. (He hates leftovers) a week later he requested this for his birthday meal as well.
I cook the noodles in chicken broth instead of water for a different flavor and it is ✨chef’s kiss✨
Trisha says
I love that idea of cooking the noodles in broth!
Anne Jones says
Just making this arm in my food. This is my second attempt at mac and cheese. My first was from the accompanying recieo book it was unbelievably disgusting. This one I’ve not eaten yet but I licked the spoon!! Heavenly.
So much easier and more delicious than my traditional rouxe one. I used full fat milk and cream cheese with chives instead of heavy cream but still amazing!!
Thank you for this recipe it will be a weekly family meal 🥰🥰
Trisha says
Anne, so happy that this was a hit for your family! Its so frustrating when things do not work out so glad we could help you out. Much love,
Trisha
Mary D says
This was delicious! I added 1 t Onion powder, 1 t garlic powder, 1/2 cup crispy fried onion. I also used 1 c. Whole milk instead of cream because that is what I had. This recipe is a great basic Mac n cheese. Add whatever you like and know it will be good!
Trisha says
Mary, I love the addition of crispy fried onion on top, SO good! Glad you enjoyed this mac and cheese recipe. Its sometimes hard to find a good one and glad this was a hit for your family.
Trisha
Sarah Lyon says
Yummy, just made this for tea omg! Supper tasty so easy. X
Sharon Young says
This is excellent. I am going to make this all the time from now on. I always used sharp cheddar cheese. It was awesome! Thank you!
Trisha Haas says
Thank you for the review on the pressure cooker mac and cheese! So glad you enjoyed. 🙂
Trisha
Linda says
I have to keep a gluten free kitchen so I wanted to try this recipe with a package of Great Value brown rice elbow noodles. The only thing I had to do differently was to rinse the macaroni in a colander after cooking as directed. It was gooey and bitter before rinsing. I added some garlic powder, smoked paprika and mustard powder along with the butter, cheese, cream, salt and pepper. Very good and easy recipe! Thanks!
Tammy says
Instructions were spot on! This Mac n cheese was delicious! Thank you for posting a great recipe. I used half sharp cheddar n half velveeta for my cheese. Didn’t have any heavy cream either so just used whole milk. It came out great!
Trisha Haas says
So glad you you loved this mac and cheese!
Rp says
Seasonings????
Trisha Haas says
It has salt and pepper as shown in the recipe however if you want to add other seasoning flavors, we recommend garlic and onion.