Masala Mac and Cheese Recipe

Tikka masala pasta, masala pasta, spicy pasta

Author:

Soniya Saluja

Discover this amazing masala mac and cheese recipe that creates mind-blowing fusion flavors. Perfect spice blend meets creamy comfort food magic.

4.78 from 18 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: butternut squash mac and cheese, easy mach and cheese, healthy mac and cheese, how to make mac and cheese, instant pot butternut squash mac and cheese, instant pot mac and cheese, mac and cheese, mac and cheese recipe, spicy mac and cheese

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings:

4 people

Calories:

401kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups pasta shells or elbow 16 oz
3 cups Water
1 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoon butter
½ tablespoon ginger garlic paste
1 small onion chopped
1 jalapeño chopped
1 cup jarred pasta sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Salt to taste
½ teaspoon red chili powder
½ teaspoon garam masala
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup mozzarella cheese
¼ cup Tex-Mex cheese
Handful of cilantro leaves chopped
½ teaspoon red chili flakes optional

Instructions

Sauté the aromatics

Press Sauté on the Instant Pot.
When HOT, add oil + butter.
Add ginger garlic paste and stir let it saute 10–15 seconds.
Add chopped onion + jalapeño and stir let it cook 1 minute.

Build your Tikka Masala base

Add pasta sauce, salt, red chili powder, garam masala.
Mix well.

Add pasta + cook

Add pasta.
Pour enough water to just barely cover the pasta (don’t add too much or it’ll get soupy).
Mix well.
Add tomato paste and stir again.
Place the lid on.
Pressure cook for 5 minutes.
Perform a quick release.

Make it cheesy and creamy

Open the lid.
Add heavy cream.
Add mozzarella + Tex-Mex cheese.
Mix until melty, saucy, and smooth.

Final touch

Garnish with cilantro and red chili flakes.
Serve HOT and watch everyone take seconds.

Video

Notes

Baked Version

If you want that golden, cheesy crust:

After mixing in the cream and cheese, transfer the pasta to a baking dish.
Add extra cheese on top (mozzarella + cheddar work great).
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cover with foil and bake for 10–12 minutes to melt everything.
Remove foil and bake 2 minutes uncovered to brown the top.

Nutrition