Best Instant Pot Pasta Recipes

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Tips and FAQs

Can you pressure cook pasta?

Definitely! Dry pasta + jar of sauce = easiest dinner ever.

But keep in mind that the ideal cook settings will vary depending on the type of pasta you are making. Just like with regular stovetop cooking, thicker pastas will require more cooking time in the instant pot too than smaller or thinner pastas.

Also, there is no universal recipe for gluten-free pasta because there is so much variation in the ingredients used (rice, chickpea, quinoa, etc.). If you are using non-wheat pasta, you will most likely have to experiment a bit to find the right cook time to get the texture you want.

How long does it take to cook pasta in an Instant Pot?

Depending on the size of your batch and the type of pasta you are cooking, the total cook time from start to table will end up being around 20 to 30 minutes:

• 8 to 15 minutes to build pressure
• A few minutes of actual cook time (varies depending on pasta type)
• 5 minutes of natural release
• 5 minutes to cool before serving

The ideal cooking time depends on what type of pasta you are making. Here is are the recommended cook time settings for some of the more popular types of pasta:

• Angel hair: 0 minutes*
• Thin spaghetti: 1 minute
• Regular spaghetti: 2 minutes
• Linguine: 3 minutes
• Rotini: 3 minutes
• Macaroni: 3 minutes
• Penne: 3 minutes
• Ziti: 3 minutes
• Farfelle (bowties): 4 minutes
• Fettucine: 4 minutes
• Penne: 4 minutes
• Rigatoni: 4 minutes

*If you set your instant pot to zero minutes of cook time, your pot will build up pressure but not hold it. Your pasta will cook through residual heat.

Can you use sauce instead of water in Instant Pot?

In order to properly cook your pasta, you need to use a cooking liquid that can turn into steam quickly and easily. Using jarred sauce alone as your cooking liquid will not work well because of how thick it is.

If you add room temperature jarred sauce to your pasta right after you have cooked it, the heat from the pasta is enough to naturally heat the sauce. If you are using refrigerated sauce or simply want your sauce to be warmer, you can use the saute function in your instant pot after removing the pasta to heat up the sauce just a bit.

What ratio of water to use for past?

Assuming you aren’t adding any other liquid or sauce to your instant pot while cooking, use one cup of water for every 4 ounces of dry pasta:

• 4 ounces: 1 cup
• 8 ounces: 2 cups
• 12 ounces: 3 cups
• 16 ounces: 4 cups
• 24 ounces: 6 cups

How to Make Instant Pot Ravioli

Ingredients

• 24 ounces frozen ravioli
• 1 cup water
• Sauce of choice (at room temperature)
• (optional) Garnishes (see Tips)

Equipment

• Instant pot*
• Wooden/serving spoon
• Oven mitts*
• Colander

Recipe Step by Step Instructions

Step 1. Add one cup of water to your instant pot.

Step 2. Add frozen ravioli to the pot (you do not need to defrost the ravioli ahead of time).

Step 3. Close the lid and make sure the valve is sealed.

Step 4. Set to HIGH PRESSURE cook for 2 minutes.

Step 5. After cooking is done and timer goes off, do a quick release of the pressure.

Step 6. Use a colander to drain the pasta water out.

Step 7. Mix in sauce of choice.

Step 8. Add optional garnishes, then serve and enjoy!

Tips

• This recipe is for frozen ravioli. Fresh ravioli is far more delicate and will likely break apart or get too mushy if cooked in an instant pot.
• If you are using refrigerated sauce or prefer a warmer sauce temperature, use your instant pot’s saute function to heat up the sauce after removing the ravioli.
• Jazz up your dish with some optional garnishes: shredded cheese, black pepper, red chili flakes, fresh parsley.

Instant Pot Pasta Recipes

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

If you want to make instant pot spaghetti noodles with your own spaghetti sauce from scratch, try this recipe, which has "meaty" crumbles. (via Holy Cow Vegan)

Pesto

In this penne pasta recipe, you’ll add cream cheese to a premade pesto. (via Instant Pot Eats)

Easy [Vegan]

This 8-ingredient recipe includes balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. (via The Vegan 8)

Pasta with Vegetables [Vegan]

Lots of hearty vegetables are incorporated in this dish, like eggplant, spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, and red onions. (via Nutritiously)

Fettucine Alfredo [Vegan]

This skinny-version recipe for homemade alfredo sauce is including, which uses cauliflower and cashews. (via Carve Your Craving)

Lemon

This lemony pasta has asparagus and peas. (via Piping Hot Curry)

Puttanesca [Vegan]

A Mediterranean style dish that includes kalamata olives, capers, and garlic in a tomato sauce. Use a pasta like penne or fusili. (via Veggies Save the Day)

Mac and Cheese

Add broccoli to this white cheddar and pasta recipe to incorporate veggies. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Rigatoni Bolognese

This vegetarian dish is packed with so many veggies, from mushrooms to celery to carrots and bell peppers. (via Paint the Kitchen Red)

Pasta Primavera

Pasta and veggies like asparagus, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and broccolini tossed in a delicious lemon and garlic butter sauce. Pappardelle was used in this recipe, but you can swap with penne, rotini, or other pasta of your choice. (via Mama Needs Cake)

Creamy Garlic [Vegan]

This pasta and cream sauce dish uses vegan butter, parmesan cheese, and coconut milk. (via Make it Dairy Free)

Baked Ziti

Known as pasta al forno in Italian, this dish can include just pasta or you can add veggies of your choice. (via Choosing Chia)

Lasagna

Spinach, mushroom, garlic, and mozzarella and ricotta cheeses make up the layers of this dish. (via Ministry of Curry)

Pasta Salad

This recipe has a tangy dill pickle flavor. (via 365 Days of Crockpot)

Pumpkin

This fall dish includes spinach, mascarpone cheese, tomatoes, herbs, and red chili flakes. You can also add chickpeas for more protein. (via J Cooking Odyssey)

Butternut

Another creamy pasta, this time using pasta shells and incorporating a seasonal squash. (via Indian Veggie Delight)

Instant Pot Pasta Soup Recipes

Minestrone

Add veggies of your choice to this thick, hearty vegetable tomato-based soup. (via Instant Pot Eats)

Pasta e Fagioli

This pasta and bean soup uses elbow macaroni, cannellini beans, celery, carrots, and kale. (via Instant Pot Eats)

Tortellini Soup

A creamy soup with cheese and spinach. (via Indian Veggie Delight)

Instant Pot Fusion Recipes with Pasta

Cajun [Vegan]

Add cajun flair to your pasta with this recipe with the seasoning and incorporating classic veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. (via Simple Sumptuous Cooking)

Taco

Medium pasta shells with enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and cheese. (via Peas and Crayons)

Chipotle

This spicy creamy pasta is made with adobo sauce with a touch of honey. (via Cook with Manali)

Fajita

A Mexican-inspired pasta with black beans, taco seasoning, and sour cream. (via Piping Hot Curry)

Curry [Vegan]

This Asian fusion dish combines pasta (like fusili) with veggies in coconut milk and red curry. (via Vegan Heaven)

Mushroom Stroganoff

Replace the egg noodles of this creamy Russian dish with pasta like penne. (via Cooking Carnival)

More Recipes to Try

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