Instant Pot pasta is a super easy, one-pot recipe for making creamy and delicious pasta! In this dump-and-go recipe, penne cooks in a creamy tomato sauce, and you won’t want to make pasta any other way. It’s all done in the Instant Pot in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect one-pot meal for busy days.
You won’t believe how easy it is to make restaurant-style creamy pasta so quickly in your Instant Pot. This pasta is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavour. Plus, the pasta absorbs the sauce as it cooks, making it taste incredible.
If you have any leftovers, let the pasta cool a bit and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze it, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
To reheat, let the pasta thaw in the fridge overnight if needed. Put it in a microwave-safe bowl with a tablespoon or two of water or stock, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until it’s warmed through.
Instant Pot Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- Instant pot
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped Garlic
- 2 Onions chopped
- 3 cups Canned tomatoes peeled or fresh tomato puree
- 2 cups Uncooked macaroni pasta see note 1
- 1 cup Vegetable broth or water
- 1 ½ tsp Red chili flakes
- 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tsp chopped Basil
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select Sauté mode at medium heat.
- Once it says HOT, pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it heat up for a bit.
- Toss in the garlic and cook until it smells nice, around 30 seconds.
- Add the chopped onions and cook until they’re kind of see-through.
- Pour in the canned tomatoes and let them cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Blend everything in the Instant Pot until it’s a bit chunky but not too smooth. You can also use a blender if you want.
- Sprinkle in the red chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar. Taste it to check if it’s yummy enough.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and uncooked macaroni pasta, making sure the pasta is under the liquid.
- Drizzle in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and give it a gentle stir.
- Turn off Sauté mode by pressing Cancel. Set it to Manual on High Pressure for 3 minutes.
- Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then carefully move the valve to Venting to release the rest of the pressure.
- Open the lid and give it a light stir.
- Sprinkle some chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Serve it up while it’s still warm and tasty!
Notes
- Eat the pasta fresh; it doesn’t stay as good as leftovers because it can get mushy.
- Cook the tomatoes on medium heat for a smoky flavor. Blend the sauce until it’s a bit chunky. If you don’t blend it, the canned tomatoes won’t break down completely.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 335 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Protein | 11g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Cholesterol | 7mg |
| Sodium | 1460mg |
| Fibre | 5g |
| Sugar | 14g |
| Potassium | 734mg |
How Do I Make Sure My Pasta Cooks Properly in the Instant Pot?
To ensure your pasta cooks evenly in the Instant Pot, make sure it’s completely covered in liquid. Before you start pressure cooking, gently push down the pasta with a ladle to submerge it.
How Can I Avoid My Pasta Burning in the Instant Pot?
If your Instant Pot often shows a “burn” warning, try sautéing an onion with coconut oil first. This creates a non-stick layer in the pot before adding the pasta, reducing the risk of burning.
How Do I Stop Pasta From Sticking to the Instant Pot?
To prevent pasta from sticking, add a bit more olive oil before cooking. Also, ensure there’s enough water and give everything a good stir before closing the lid. This helps prevent the pasta from clinging to the pot.
