Are you craving a comforting pasta dinner but short on time? These Instant Pot pasta recipes are your answer to getting a delicious, restaurant-quality meal on the table in minutes. Whether you're cooking for a busy weeknight or meal prepping for the week ahead, these pressure cooker pasta dishes deliver perfect results every time – no watching the pot or waiting for water to boil!
Why Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot Pasta Recipes?
The Instant Pot revolutionizes pasta cooking by combining the cooking of pasta and sauce in one pot, infusing the noodles with amazing flavor while saving time and dishes. Unlike traditional stovetop methods, Instant Pot pasta recipes create a perfect al dente texture without the risk of overcooked, mushy noodles.
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Ingredients
the Pasta and Chicken:
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
the Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Instant Pot: Press the "Sauté" function and add olive oil to the pot. Once hot, add the diced chicken pieces and season with half the salt and pepper. Cook until lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Layer the Pasta: Break the fettuccine in half and layer it in a criss-cross pattern over the chicken. This prevents the pasta from clumping together during cooking.
Add Liquid: Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring all pasta is submerged. Don't stir! This helps prevent the "burn" notice.
Pressure Cook: Close the lid and set the valve to "Sealing." Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes, followed by a Quick Release.
Make it Creamy: Open the lid and stir in the heavy cream, cream cheese, butter, and remaining seasonings. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese while stirring.
Finish and Serve: Let the pasta rest for 2-3 minutes to thicken. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Pro Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
- Always layer pasta in a criss-cross pattern to prevent clumping
- Use the right liquid-to-pasta ratio: generally 4 cups of liquid per pound of pasta
- Consider the pasta shape when adjusting cooking time (thicker pasta needs longer)
- Let the sauce thicken naturally before adding more thickening agents
Equipment For Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
- 6-quart Instant Pot or larger
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Cheese grater
- Cutting board and sharp knife
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the chicken and use vegetable broth. Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Spicy Cajun: Add Cajun seasoning and replace chicken with andouille sausage.
- Mediterranean Style: Include artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, and feta cheese after cooking.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce's creamy texture. While freezing is possible, the sauce may separate slightly upon thawing.
Top Tip
Don't skip the layering technique – it's crucial for preventing pasta from sticking
Use block Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself for the smoothest sauce
Allow the sauce to thicken naturally for 2-3 minutes before serving
FAQ
Is Instant Pot good for pasta?
Yes! It's perfect for pasta because it's faster and easier than stovetop cooking. You'll get tasty pasta with less cleanup and no watching the pot.
How long do you cook pasta in Instant Pot?
Take the regular cooking time on the pasta box, divide it by 2, and subtract 1 minute. Example: If box says 10 minutes → cook for 4 minutes in Instant Pot
Can you cook spaghetti in the sauce?
Yes! Just layer liquid first, then pasta, then sauce. Make sure pasta is covered with liquid. Break long pasta in half.
Why do you not stir pasta in an instant pot?
Don't stir because it makes pasta stick to the bottom and can cause burning. Just layer ingredients and let the pot do its work!
Transform your weeknight dinners with this foolproof Instant Pot pasta recipe. In just 15 minutes, you'll have a creamy, restaurant-worthy meal that the whole family will love.
Save this recipe, give it a try, and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Recent Recipe: If you enjoyed the 15-Minute Instant Pot Pasta Recipes, you'll love the Easy Instant Pot Chicken Adobo Recipe for another quick and flavorful meal.
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15-Minute Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot or larger
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Cheese grater
- Cutting board and sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 pound 450g spaghetti or tonnarelli
- 2 cups 200g freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons 15g freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons 30ml extra virgin olive oil
- Salt for pasta water
- Reserved pasta water about 1½ cups
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Season with salt (less than usual as Pecorino is quite salty).
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes.
- While pasta cooks, grate cheese and grind black pepper. Mix them together in a large bowl.
- Before draining, reserve 1½ cups of pasta cooking water.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Transfer drained pasta to the skillet, adding ½ cup reserved water and tossing vigorously.
- Add cheese mixture in batches, stirring continuously and adding more pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Serve immediately with extra black pepper and cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese only – pre-grated won't melt properly
- Don't skip the step of toasting the pepper
- Work quickly once pasta is done to ensure cheese melts evenly
- Keep extra pasta water handy to adjust consistency
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