Masala Mac and Cheese (Indian Macaroni)

Masala mac and cheese step-by-step recipe with video and photos.

About this recipe

The good old classic mac and cheese with a lip-smacking Indian twist, masala macaroni is creamy, comforting, and oh-so-delicious. This masala macaroni recipe uses basic spices along with classic ingredients.

It is also popularly called tikka masala macaroni or desi mac & cheese (desi generally means 'of Indian origin' and mostly refers to Indians living outside of India). This Indian-Italian fusion pasta uses warm spices along with classic herbs that are used in an Italian dish and this scrumptious macaroni comes with a surprising twist. This tasty pasta is also a very good kids' lunch box recipe.

Indians love to add their own twist and create fusion recipes. This is mainly to suit Indian taste buds and liking. Spices like cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, chaat masala, etc. are used to get an Indianized taste. In saying that, I have not used them in this recipe, and this Indian-style pasta calls for just some basic desi spices.

I love making pasta in my instant pot as it is super convenient and requires no monitoring. There is no need to cook the pasta and make the sauce separately. It can all get done in one pot. I also find it safer to make pasta in the Instant Pot as I don't have to worry about draining hot water from the cooked pasta. However, I am also sharing stovetop instructions in this post.

Ingredients

Pasta: I have used elbow macaroni for this recipe. You can use any other variety of pasta.

Cheese: I have used cheddar cheese and gouda cheese.

Milk and sour cream: Use whole milk (or even half and half). Sour cream can be replaced with crème fraîche or thickened cream.

Aromatics: We need finely chopped onions, ginger paste, and garlic paste.

Veggies: I have used bell peppers in this recipe (a mix of green and red bell pepper). You may use other veggies of your choice, like carrots, sweet corn, green peas, green beans, etc. to make vegetable macaroni.

Spices and herbs: We are using Indian spices and dried herbs along with Italian seasoning in this fusion dish. I have used garam masala, red chili powder, Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves), and dried oregano.

Tomato puree and ketchup: Use either tomato puree or passata. Ketchup adds a nice sweetness to balance the dish. If you want to skip it, replace it with a teaspoon of sugar.

Step-by-step instructions

Put the Instant Pot in saute mode and add olive oil. Once it heats, add onion, and saute for 3 minutes. Add ginger paste and garlic paste. Saute for one minute (steps 1 and 2).

Add bell peppers, spice powders (red chilli powder and garam masala powder), kasuri methi, oregano, and salt. Mix well and saute for one more minute (steps 3 and 4).

Add 2½ cups of water and give it a good stir (step 5). Add pasta, tomato puree, and tomato ketchup. Spread the tomato puree all over the pasta. Do not stir after adding the pasta. Push the dry pasta slightly so that it is covered in liquid (steps 6 and 7).

Close the lid of the Instant pot and set it to pressure cook and cook for 4 minutes -see the tips section above (step 8).

Do a quick release of the pressure and open the lid. Put the Instant Pot on saute mode on LOW (step 9). Add milk, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and gouda cheese (step 10).

Keep stirring until the cheese melts and is fully incorporated - about 2-3 minutes (steps 11 and 12). Cancel saute mode and immediately take the inner pot out of the Instant Pot to avoid the pasta from cooking any further.

Top with fresh cilantro and serve warm.

Stovetop instructions

To make this fusion mac and cheese on the stovetop:

1. Take cold water in a large pot and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the macaroni and cook it as per packet instructions. Drain all the water and set the boiled macaroni aside.
2. Heat olive oil or vegetable oil on medium flame in a broad non-stick pan and add onions. Saute them for 4-5 minutes.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste. Saute for one minute on medium heat.
4. Next, add bell peppers, red chili powder, garam masala powder, Kasuri methi, oregano, and salt. Mix well and saute for one more minute.
5. Add ½ cup of water, cover, and let the vegetables cook.
6. Once the veggies cook, add the milk, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and gouda cheese.
7. Keep stirring continuously until the sauce comes together.
8. Add the cooked macaroni and mix well. Simmer on low heat for 1-2 minutes.
9. Top with green coriander leaves and serve hot.

Useful tips

I have used cheddar and gouda cheese here. You can use other types of cheese in this recipe. Pepper jack, Colby jack, mild cheddar, gruyere, parmesan cheese, etc. works very well.

To cook pasta in the Instant Pot, pressure cook the pasta for half the time that is mentioned in the packet. My pasta packet instructions had a cooking time of 8 minutes and I pressure-cooked the pasta for 4 minutes, which gave me the perfect al dente texture.

It is important that we do not stir after adding the pasta. Add tomato puree on top and just spread it using a spatula. If there is any dry pasta on top, just push it into the liquid without stirring.

I have made this recipe in an 8 Quart Instant Pot. If you are using a smaller size IP, reduce the amount of water by half a cup. We want the vegetables and pasta to be just covered in water.

Do a quick pressure release once the Instant Pot beeps. This gives it the perfect al-dente texture. If you let the pressure release naturally, the pasta will overcook.

It is important to add milk, cream, and cheese only after pressure cooking the pasta. This is to avoid them from splitting and curdling.

When you start cooking the pasta, take the milk, cream, and cheese out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter. This way, they will be at room temperature when you add them to the cooked pasta.

It is important to keep stirring the pasta after adding cheese to avoid the cheese from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning. Also, once the cheese melts, take the inner pot out of the Instant Pot immediately.

The mac & cheese will absorb the moisture and become dry after storing. To reheat, add some milk (or water) and simmer to get the right consistency. Also, check out this recipe to make the viral TikTok mac and cheese.

FAQs

How long to cook pasta in the Instant Pot?

To cook pasta in the Instant Pot, pressure cook the pasta for half the time that is mentioned in the packet. My pasta packet instructions had a cooking time of 8 minutes and I pressure-cooked the pasta for 4 minutes, which gave me the perfect texture.

How to make vegan mac and cheese?

To make it vegan, replace milk with plant-based milk, replace sour cream with vegan thickened cream, and use vegan cheese.

Bonus

This masala mac and cheese is:

- so delicious and unique,

- easy to make,

- a nice twist from your regular mac & cheese.

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