You can easily make boxed au gratin potatoes in the Instant Pot! Find out just how simple it is!
No need to heat up the stove or oven–you can make Instant Pot au gratin potatoes from a box in a matter of minutes!
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Listen, I know you’re busy, just like I am. You don’t have all day to spend in the kitchen, even if you wanted to.
And while I fully believe there are some things that are best to make from scratch (Instant Pot mashed potatoes, anyone?), I also acknowledge the reality that time is limited.
And when you’re tackling a mountain of laundry so the kids will have something clean to wear tomorrow, settling sibling squabbles for the 956th time today, practicing multiplication tables with your third grader and taxiing kids to and fro, you don’t always have time to make everything from scratch.
I get it.
That’s why I think it’s totally fine to include convenience foods in your diet from time to time.
This is one of those times.
Because, let’s be honest–the likelihood of me having time to hand-cut a bunch of potatoes into paper thin slices is pretty slim these days.
While my family does try to limit boxed convenience foods, I am totally okay with turning to boxed au gratin potatoes every now and then!
More Convenience Foods You Can Make in Your Instant Pot:
- Instant Pot Hamburger Helper from a Box
- Instant Pot Rice a Roni
- Instant Pot Frozen Ravioli
- Instant Pot Frozen Dumplings (Potstickers)
- Instant Pot Knorr Rice Sides
Can You Make Boxed Au Gratin Potatoes in the Instant Pot?
I’m happy to report that yes, you can make au gratin potatoes in the Instant Pot!
I was trying to multitask the other day and wanted a hands-free way to make some potatoes, so I tried making these boxed au gratin potatoes in the Instant Pot. It worked beautifully!
More Instant Pot Side Dishes:
- Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans
- Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
- Instant Pot Scalloped Pineapple Dressing
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How to Make Boxed Au Gratin Potatoes in the Instant Pot
It’s really easy! This method would also work for making boxed scalloped potatoes in the Instant Pot.
These would be the perfect addition to Easter dinner, alongside a ham!
Check out my list of more delicious Instant Pot Easter recipes!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 Box of Au Gratin Potatoes and included seasoning packet (I used Betty Crocker)
- 1 3/4 cups water (the box called for 2 cups, but I decreased it a bit since there wouldn’t be much evaporation in the Instant Pot)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 Tbsp butter
How to Make It:
(Full printable recipe is available below)
Combine ingredients. Add the potatoes, seasoning mix, butter, water, and milk to the insert pot of the Instant Pot.
Note: I normally avoid pressure cooking dairy, because it can sometimes curdle under pressure. However, in this case, it works just fine–I’ve tested it multiple times and have never had an issue with curdling.
Pressure cook. Next you’ll set a cook time of 5 minutes at high pressure. Once the cook time is over, perform a quick release of pressure.
After the pressure has released and the valve drops, carefully remove the lid.
Brown, if desired. If you want, you can transfer the potatoes to a shallow dish and pop them in the oven under the broiler for just a few minutes to brown the top a bit. Totally optional!
If you have a Mealthy CrispLid or other air fryer lid for the Instant Pot, you can also use it to brown the tops a bit, which is what I did. Again, totally optional!
Notes and Adaptations:
- You can use this same method and same cook time to prepare two boxes of potatoes, if you need more servings.
- The cheese sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Feel free to add some chopped, cooked ham to this dish if you want, and enjoy a meal of au gratin potatoes and ham!
Recommended Equipment:
- Instant Pot (I have the DUO60 model) or other electric pressure cooker
- Mealthy CrispLid or other air fryer lid for the Instant Pot (optional)
Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes (From a Box)
No need to use the stove or oven for these au gratin potatoes--you can cook your favorite boxed variety in the Instant Pot!
Ingredients
- 4.7-oz Box of Au Gratin Potatoes, including seasoning packet
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 Tbsp butter
Instructions
- In the insert pot of the Instant Pot, add potatoes, seasoning packet, water, milk, and butter. Stir to combine.
- Close lid and set the vent to the sealed position.
- Select a cook time of 5 minutes at high pressure.
- When the cook time is complete, perform a quick release of pressure. After the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, carefully remove lid.
- Stir and serve, or transfer potatoes to an oven-safe dish and put in the oven under the broiler for a couple of minutes, if desired. You can also use a Mealthy CrispLid or other air fryer lid for the Instant Pot to brown the top of the potatoes. This step is optional.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 111Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 305mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.
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Does the cooking time change for 2 servings?
Hi Kristine! I’d keep the cook time the same for two boxes. Enjoy! 🙂
Do you double the liquid?
Hi Jennifer! If you are making two boxes, go ahead and double all of the ingredients, including the liquid. You’ll use the same cook time. Enjoy! 🙂
Have you experimented with adding raw boneless skinless chicken breasts to this and cook all together? I have done that in the oven and it comes out great. But have not tried in the IP.
If so, do you think I should I change the cook time?
Hi Amy! I haven’t tried that, but what a great idea! I think this could easily be done in the Instant Pot. I’d recommend cutting the chicken breasts in half and keeping the cook time the same. If you try it, I’d love to know how it works out!
Me Tarzan.
Hi, What would be the cook time if I want to allow pressure to release on it’s own? 3 minutes?
Will this change if I make 4 boxes?
Does the bottom burn??? Could I cook at lower setting and for how long?
My pot is stainless steel, should I oil the bottom?
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus.
Thank you very much. I have to make this side for Christmas at my brothers house.
Hi Don! Those are great questions. I haven’t tested the recipe with a natural release, but I would think 3-4 minutes cook time might work. As far as making four boxes, I haven’t tried that, either, but I’d be concerned that might exceed the maximum recommended fill for the Instant Pot, so double-check that. My IP has a stainless steel pot as well, and I did not oil the bottom (though you certainly could if you’d like), and had no problems with scorching. However, I suppose scorching could potentially be an issue if you use four boxes, as it will take longer for the pot to come to pressure, which could cause some of the milk/cheese mixture to burn. Sorry I can’t give you a more definitive answer without having tested it myself, but hopefully that helps a little! 🙂
Have you tried 3 boxes?
Hi Carolyn! Unfortunately, I haven’t tried three boxes. I think as long as it doesn’t exceed the max fill line, you’d probably be okay, but I can’t say for sure.
Why is it still really liquidy
Hi Jessica! It shouldn’t be super runny, but the sauce does thicken as it cools. Also, be sure to double-check measurements of the milk, as the recipe calls for less than the box of potatoes does. Hope that helps! 🙂
This was awesome and so easy! I doubled the recipe but kept the same timing. I subbed out half the milk for heavy cream, added a little salt and pepper, a few springs of thyme from my garden and a couple of crushed garlic cloves. Then shredded some gruyere on top and popped it under the broiler. My family inhaled it. Never going back to the oven method. Thank you for this!!
Thanks so much for sharing, Lisa! I love hearing that your family enjoyed it. What a great idea to add gruyere–that takes it to the next level! 🙂
I sautéed slices of smoked sausage then added all the au gratin ingredients and I had a frozen package of cheesy broccoli I placed then onto pressure cooked on high for 5mins and it came out great and had a whole meal.
That’s a fabulous idea! Easy peasy and delicious, I’m sure–thanks for sharing! 🙂
This did not work for me. I doubled the recipe and followed the directions but it wouldn’t come to pressure because it got stuck on the bottom and started to burn. I realized what was happening before it got completely ruined and turned off the pot. I stirred in some cheddar cheese and pushed it all into a casserole dish (except for the stuff stuck to the bottom) and finished it in the oven. I used my 6qt ip.
I’m sorry to hear that it started to burn! That is really frustrating. I do think some models of IP are more prone to “burn” notices than others, but there should have been enough liquid to keep from scorching. At any rate, I’m glad you caught it in time to salvage it!