Our Instant Pot pasta is not only easy, it is tasty. With a high pressure and quick release, this pasta will be ready before you can even set the table. When we get home from running around all day, I can quickly throw some dry pasta and water into the Instant Pot and I know I will have a great base for a meal in minutes.

This is what you are going to love

Makes meals so much easier: Life is super busy, especially when you have kids. There is carpool, after-school activities, playdates, soccer practice, and everything in between. I do not know about you, but on top of everything else, it is hard to find time to make dinner. But this recipe gives you a quick base to anything. I have topped it simply with jarred red sauce or gone a bit more elaborate with sautéed shrimp.

Changes up the stovetop method: Instant Pot recipes are some of my favorite recipes because of their quick cooking time. This recipe in particular cooks pasta so much faster than the traditional stovetop method. With the stovetop version, you have to wait for the water to boil then add the noodles to cook, whereas with Instant Pot pasta recipes you can throw everything in the pot right away and cook at the same time.

General rule of thumb - With pressure cooking is to make sure to use the pressure release correctly. You will want to allow the pressure to release the right amount of time to have the perfect pasta.

My Instant Pot Spaghetti and instant pot broccoli cheddar soup recipes are a great example to see how to use the pressure release the correct way. I also have a delicious Instant Pot Meatballs recipe that you could use.

This recipe is also very similar to my Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese recipe, as both can use rotini noodles.

What you need

Dry pasta

You can use any dry pasta you want when it comes to cooking in an electric pressure cooker. Rotini or penne pasta usually works best, but again, you can use whichever type of pasta you need for your meal.

This recipe works with whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, and gluten-free pasta. We like the Jovial gluten-free rotini with this recipe, but you can use any type or brand of pasta you would like. Here are my favorite gluten free pastas.

Salt

Adding salt to your pasta water is an old trick cooks use to make flavorful pasta. Add more than you might think you need. When you add salt to the boiling water while cooking the pasta it allows the noodles to be seasoned inside and out. I prefer good sea salt.

Do you have a few minutes to make it?

Instant Pot Pasta being poured into the pot — Add the pasta and water to the Instant Pot and start it on high pressure. For the best results, you want the noodles to be completely submerged in the water.

Instant Pot Pasta water — Add the pasta and water to the Instant Pot and start it on high pressure. For the best results, you want the noodles to be completely submerged in the water.

Serve your pasta up with mom's warm cabbage salad and gluten free garlic bread for the perfect meal!

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Instant Pot Pasta (in minutes!)

5 from 13 votes

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 4

Total Time: 14

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: Instant Pot, pasta

Servings: large servings

Author: Chandice Probst

Ingredients

▢ 16 ounces dry pasta (penne or rotini work best) We love Jovial gluten-free rotini
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 4 cups water

Instructions

Add 16 ounces pasta (penne or rotini works best) to the Instant Pot® multi-cooker and cover with 4 cups water and 1 teaspoons salt then lock the lid and set to pressure cook on high for 4 minutes
After it has cooked, do a quick release and wait until the cycle is complete then unlock and remove the lid (if there is excess water drain before eating) and for extra tasty noodles, add some butter or olive oil to the pot and stir once cooked

Notes

*We love jovial gluten-free pasta but whole grain, white and chickpea pastas also work.

Top tip: If you have not added a sauce to the noodles, add a tiny bit of olive oil to the noodles so they do not clump together.

How to store leftovers

After you cook pasta, you will want to place it in an airtight container in the fridge. The noodles will last up to two days in the fridge. If you have not added a sauce to the noodles, add a tiny bit of olive oil to the noodles so they do not clump together.