Instant Pot Pasta (in minutes!)

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.

Instant Pot pasta is perfect on its own or in our Instant Pot chicken pasta on busy weeknights. 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.

 

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.

I always struggled with coming up with quick recipes that were also tasty (like our gluten free meatballs, instant pot lasagna, pulled pork pasta, gluten free ramen and tortellini pomodoro) until I found the Instant Pot. I do not mean to be dramatic, but I feel like the Instant Pot changed my life. I know, I know, but try it out and you will see what I mean.

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.

The 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.

Cooking pasta in the Instant Pot is (in my opinion) the easiest way to cook pasta dishes every single time. Plus, it goes great with leftovers of this delicious Instant Pot pork from frozen or with our crab legs in the instant pot.

My Instant Pot Spaghetti and instant pot broccoli cheddar soup recipes is 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.

Once you make one Instant Pot meal and realize how fast you can make food, you will be hooked. You can even use it to make Olive Garden chicken pasta.

The first time you cook pasta with the Instant Pot can seem tricky, but it is super easy. Of course there is a learning curve, but all you need to do is throw whichever noodles you decided to use and enough liquid into the Instant Pot and BAM, you are good to go. Make sure you do not use too much water because that will make overcooked pasta.

This recipe is very similar to my Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese recipe, as both can use rotini noodles. Pasta is a staple in many recipes as you can add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, creamy tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, meat sauce, or whatever you prefer to create a delicious dish.

After trying out these Instant Pot noodles, you should try more Instant Pot meals. I have tons of recipes that are quick, easy, and perfect for weeknights, so here are some you should try out:

• Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
• Mississippi Chicken Instant Pot Style
• Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
• Instant Pot Chicken Wings
• Instant Pot Artichoke Dip
• Instant Pot Apple Crisp
• Creamy Italian Chicken
• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

What you need

Pasta is a staple for many meals, so this recipe is going to become a staple in your kitchen and your busy schedule. For this recipe, all you need is try pasta, water, and salt, which you most likely already have in your pantry. So this recipe is perfect for those nights when you feel like you have no food to cook.

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.

Salt

Adding salt to your pasta water is an old trick cooks use to make flavorful pasta. A little bit of salt goes a long way when it comes to cooking pasta. When you add salt to the boiling water while cooking the pasta will allow the noodle to be seasoned inside and out.

How to make it

• Add 16 ounces pasta (penne or rotini works best) to the Instant Pot® multi-cooker and cover with 4 cups of 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 with the pressure valve 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