Instant Pot Texas-Style Chili Mac
Settings may vary on your Instant Pot® depending on the model. Please refer to the manufacturer’s guide.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (preferably chuck), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 poblano pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel
- One 7-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 3/4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 3/4 cups elbow macaroni (about 9 ounces)
- 8 ounces processed block cheese, such as Velveeta, diced
- Fresh cilantro leaves, sour cream and pickled jalapeños, for serving
Directions
- Mix the chili powder, cumin, oregano, 2 teaspoons salt and several grinds black pepper together in a small bowl. Place the beef in a medium bowl; add 4 teaspoons of the spice mixture and toss until evenly coated. Set aside.
- Set a 6-quart Instant Pot® multicooker (see Cook’s Note) to sauté at normal heat. When the display indicates "hot," add the oil. Working in 2 batches, add the meat and sear until golden brown on all sides, 4 to 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon and repeat with the remaining meat. Set aside.
- Add the onion, poblano, garlic and a pinch of salt to the pot. Cook, stirring often, until tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining spice mixture and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 1 more minute.
- Turn off the sauté setting and stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Add the seared beef and any of its juices, nestling the meat into the liquid. Follow the manufacturer’s guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook, making sure the steam valve is in the sealing position. Set to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes.
- After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer’s guide for quick release and wait until the cycle is complete. Being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid. Stir in the elbow macaroni. Place the lid back on and lock it, making sure the steam valve is in the sealing position. Set to pressure cook on High for 5 minutes. Once the pressure-cook cycle is complete, quick release the steam again.
- Being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid. Stir in the cheese until completely melted and smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. The macaroni will thicken as it sits and starts to cool. Transfer to bowls and top with cilantro, sour cream and pickled jalapeños.
Cook’s Note
Settings may vary on your Instant Pot® depending on the model. Please refer to the manufacturer’s guide.