Jump To Recipeby Liz Thomson
February 26, 2023This post may contain affiliate links.
Did you know you can make rich, creamy macaroni and cheese using your rice cooker? It’s quick to make and perfect when you don’t have access to a stove!
I love playing around with different kitchen appliances and after discovering that cooking quinoa in my rice cooker works like a charm, I’ve wondered what else I can make in my rice cooker! From cilantro lime rice to Mexican rice, I find myself reaching for my rice cooker quite often. But I wanted to see what I could cook outside of quinoa and rice. I thought, why not pasta?
It turns out, a rice cooker can be a great, easy way to make mac and cheese! And I know you might be thinking, “Why would you make it in a rice cooker?” but the simple answer is that not everyone has access to a stovetop. Maybe you’re doing a kitchen renovation or maybe you’re living in a dorm room without access to a stove. I thought it would be fun to have another option for making creamy, cheesy, macaroni and cheese!
I don’t have a fancy rice cooker. Mine is about 10 years old and it just has a cook/warm option that automatically turns on and off based on a sensor that determines if there is still liquid in the pot. It’s very simple but it works great! If you have a fancy rice cooker, this recipe will still work fine. If you’re using an Instant Pot, I’d recommend following my Instant Pot directions instead.
Ingredients and Substituions
Macaroni– You’ll need macaroni pasta. I don’t recommend using a different pasta shape as the ratios might differ. I used regular pasta. I don’t recommend using chickpea pasta, as it foams too much.
Water– I used water, but you could use broth for even more flavor.
Milk– A splash of milk helps create the perfect saucy texture. Almond milk would work fine.
Cream cheese– This helps create a rich and creamy sauce.
Cheese– I used extra sharp cheddar cheese. I recommend using a block of cheese and shredding it with a large box grater. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well.
How does a rice cooker work?
A rice cooker works by utilizing a heating element to bring the water in the cooker to a boil, which then cooks the rice through the process of steam. Once the water has evaporated, the rice cooker’s built-in sensor detects that the rice is done and automatically switches to a “keep warm” setting to prevent overcooking and keep the rice warm until it is ready to be served. Because the macaroni pasta cooks similarly to rice, we can use it to make this macaroni and cheese!
How to Make Macaroni and Cheese in a Rice Cooker
published February 26, 2023 by Liz Thomson categories:Dinner11 comments
I made this recipe and added cooked chicken and California blend veggies. to the recipe and it turned out great…my granddaughter loved it and she is only 7.
I donโt have a comment about the Mac and cheese, but I do have a question about your rice cooker. I have that same one and have never made rice in a rice cooker. Does this one turn off on its own?
Yes, rice cookers automatically switch from cook to warm. They will hold on warm for 6-10 hours. Iโve never left my rice cooker on for 10 hours, so I donโt know if it just turns off after that time or anything. Use the rice cookerโitโs a GREAT appliance! Youโll love it! Itโs 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of waterโor 2 rice, 4 water, etc. The rice cooker makes rice stickier than most North Americans are used to. If you rinse your rice well before cooking, it will be less sticky. Hope this helps
I made this recipe by the recipe as it was soveasy nade with cream cheese. The family liked ut however they told me it lacked flavour. A few days later I decided to make again. So I decided to tweaked the recipe instead of watering used low sodium chicken broth and added some diced cooked aconite and onion and added it when I added the cheese. The family raved over it. They love the cream cheese in the recipe. The kids are asking for it 3 tines a week. But I have told them once week. Thank you for sharing this lovely Easy Mac and cheese recipe. Highly recommend m this recipe and maybe put your own spin on it to make it their own.
I never knew I could make something like this in my rice cooker! Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it turned out perfectly tender, creamy and delicious; my whole family loved it!
I made this recipe and added cooked chicken and California blend veggies. to the recipe and it turned out great…my granddaughter loved it and she is only 7.
I havenโt made this yet, but my daughter thinks it sounds fabulous! Does anyone know if you can double or triple this recipe? Thank youย
I donโt have a comment about the Mac and cheese, but I do have a question about your rice cooker. I have that same one and have never made rice in a rice cooker. Does this one turn off on its own?
Yes, rice cookers automatically switch from cook to warm. They will hold on warm for 6-10 hours. Iโve never left my rice cooker on for 10 hours, so I donโt know if it just turns off after that time or anything. Use the rice cookerโitโs a GREAT appliance! Youโll love it! Itโs 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of waterโor 2 rice, 4 water, etc. The rice cooker makes rice stickier than most North Americans are used to. If you rinse your rice well before cooking, it will be less sticky. Hope this helps
I made this recipe by the recipe as it was soveasy nade with cream cheese. The family liked ut however they told me it lacked flavour. A few days later I decided to make again. So I decided to tweaked the recipe instead of watering used low sodium chicken broth and added some diced cooked aconite and onion and added it when I added the cheese. The family raved over it. They love the cream cheese in the recipe. The kids are asking for it 3 tines a week. But I have told them once week. Thank you for sharing this lovely Easy Mac and cheese recipe. Highly recommend m this recipe and maybe put your own spin on it to make it their own.
love this easy to make Rice Cooker Mac and Cheese that i can put it in and forget about it until the kids are hungry!
I never knew I could make something like this in my rice cooker! Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it turned out perfectly tender, creamy and delicious; my whole family loved it!
So fun and easy!!! I love it that you’ve prompted me to use my rice cooker because mac and cheese is always worth it. Thanks for sharing!
OMG who knew this was possible! Was such a fun experiment and kids loved it.
Hi,
I canโt believe I donโt own a rice cooker! Your Rice Cooker Mac n Cheese is a great reason to buy one! Thanks for sharing.
I made this mac and cheese with dinner last night and it was delicious! And so easy too!