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Home » Blog » Cuisine » Italian Inspired » Easy Instant Pot Pasta Recipes (3 Ways)

Easy Instant Pot Pasta Recipes (3 Ways)

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Published: Sep 15, 2022 · Modified: Jun 13, 2023 by Andrea + Stef ·

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our full Disclosure Policy for details.

Learn how to cook Instant Pot pasta. Recipes included for plain pasta or with an olive oil sauce or a creamy garlic sauce.
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cooked pasta in colander
Instant pot penne collage.

If you are ever in a hurry to put dinner on the table, this easy Instant Pot pasta recipe is just right for you. By using an electric pressure cooker to make your pasta, it is ready to serve in only 5 minutes. Instant Pot pasta comes out perfectly cooked and ready to be mixed with your favorite pasta sauce, meatballs or creamy chicken dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights. Moreover, pressure cooked pasta also works great for any kind of pasta salad, in case you need a quick dish for a picnic or potluck. This is the best Instant Pot pasta recipe. Nothing beats the quickness of pressure cooked al dente pasta. You won’t want to cook your noodles any other way anymore. Once your noodles are cooked, make one of our easy sauce recipes in your Instant Pot for a complete meal.

Table of Contents

  • Make A Simple Olive Oil Sauce Or A Creamy Garlic Sauce
  • Why You’ll Love This
  • Ingredients
  • Recommended Tools
  • Instructions
  • How To Make A Simple Olive Oil Pasta Sauce
  • How To Make A Simple Cream Sauce
  • Make Ahead
  • Recipe Tips
  • How To Store
  • How To Reheat
  • Stef says….
  • Common Questions
  • Instant Pot Pasta Recipe
  • How To Make A Simple Olive Oil Pasta Sauce
  • How To Make A Simple Cream Sauce
close up of instant pot pasta in a strainer

Make A Simple Olive Oil Sauce Or A Creamy Garlic Sauce

This post will show you how to cook plain noodles in your Instant Pot. It will also show you how to make both an olive oil sauce in your Instant Pot, as well as an easy creamy garlic sauce in your Instant Pot. Once you’ve cooked your noodles in the pressure cooker you can make the sauces on the sauté settings in just a few minutes.

close up of pasta in strainer

Why You’ll Love This

  • Notable: Perfect pasta that is ready in an instant and two sauce recipes.
  • Main Ingredients: ziti pasta, water, salt, olive oil
  • Cooking Method: Instant Pot
  • Nutrients: great source of energy, 28g of carbohydrates per serving
  • Cook Time: 1 minute prep time, 4 minutes pressure cooking time
  • Pairs well with: meatballs, marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, any dish with sauce
  • Diets: dairy free (except the cream sauce), vegetarian
  • Special Equipment Needed: Instant Pot, colander
colander with cooked instant pot pasta on a table
close up of cooked ziti pasta in a colander

Ingredients

You may have all of these Instant Pot penne pasta recipe ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

  • Pantry Ingredients: ziti pasta, water, olive oil
  • Spices: salt (sea salt or kosher salt)

Variations:

  • Use half chicken broth half water instead of just water for a more flavorful noodle. This is great if you’ll be serving without a sauce or using in an Instant Pot chicken pasta recipe.
  • Substitute other pastas for penne pasta. Make Instant Pot pasta shells, Instant Pot rotini or Instant Pot spaghetti noodles by following instructions below.
ingredients for instant pot pasta

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love flavorful pasta dishes the whole family will love then you’ll love our Shrimp Fettuccine with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce. The creamy sauce combined with an easy dinner recipe makes it perfect for weeknight dinners. You could substitute chicken breast for the shrimp to make a creamy chicken pasta if you prefer.

Recommended Tools

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Instant Pot– This recipe requires an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. This Instant Pot isn’t the fanciest you can buy but we love it and it will work for most people’s needs. If you’re looking for one with all the bells and whistles, this 10-in-1 Instant Pot is amazing. Make sure your sealing ring is in good shape. You can buy replacement silicone sealing rings if you need one. These seal the pot and keep the pressure inside the machine.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook pasta in the Instant Pot, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: Firstly, add pasta to the Instant Pot and spread out so it isn’t clumped together. Then add olive oil, salt, and water to the pot. The water should cover the top of the noodles. If you’re using spaghetti noodles, break them in half so they lay down. Add more water if necessary. Stir to prevent pasta from sticking together.

uncooked pasta in the instant pot
cooked pasta in pressure cooker

COOK: Lock the lid and seal. Set to high pressure for 4 minutes. (NOTE: cook for half the cooking time on the box, minus 1 minute) While pasta is cooking, place a colander into a large bowl. When the timer is done carefully switch the pressure valve to vent for a quick release. Do not allow a natural release. The pasta will overcook if you don’t do a quick pressure release. You want pasta cooked al dente.

cooked pasta in a colander
close up of pressure cooked pasta in a strainer

FINISH: Pour pasta and water into the colander. Reserve the starchy pasta water in bowl for use in your pasta recipe, if necessary.

How To Make A Simple Olive Oil Pasta Sauce

Need easy recipes for your noodles? For a quick dinner or side dish the whole family will love, make a simple olive oil sauce for your pasta. This recipe has simple ingredients and is ready in a couple of minutes. Serve with a side of healthy vegetables and your favorite protein. Once you’ve removed your pasta (and saved the starchy pasta water) follow the instructions below.

  1. Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting.
  2. Heat 3 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced. Stir the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, until the edges begin to brown and it is golden brown.
  3. Optional: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or 2 Tablespoons sun dried tomatoes. Stir for 30 seconds.
  4. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Be careful because oil might splatter. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes.
  5. Add drained pasta and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Toss to coat.
  6. Optional: Garnish with fresh ground black pepper, fresh grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or fresh parsley on top of the pasta.
  7. Serve with crusty bread and bread dipping oil.

How To Make A Simple Cream Sauce

Love a creamy pasta sauce? Try our Garlic Parmesan Sauce or make this easy cream sauce in your Instant Pot after you’ve cooked your noodles. Measure all your ingredients before you begin because this sauce cooks quickly.

  1. Set your Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add 2 Tablespoons salted butter and allow it to melt.
  2. Add 4 teaspoons pressed garlic (4 cloves garlic). Stir and cook for 30 seconds or until you begin to smell the garlic.
  3. Add 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour. Whisk continually to make a roux, about 1 minute.
  4. Slowly add 1 ¾ cups of heavy cream or half and half. Stir continually to mix, about 1-2 minutes. Break up any lumps with your whisk.
  5. Sauce is ready when you dip a spoon into it and it coats the spoon when the spoon is removed. It should be slightly thickened.
  6. Season with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and black pepper and ⅓ cup of fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
  7. Place drained noodles into a serving bowl. Pour sauce over the noodles and toss to combine. Serve with garlic french bread.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: Turn any leftover Instant Pot pasta into our mouthwatering Salmon Pasta Salad. It is a fresh, light salad with protein-rich salmon, crisp vegetables, a filling pasta base, and bright, flavorful lemon-dill vinaigrette.

Make Ahead

You can pressure cook your pasta ahead of time and store it in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for easy meal prep. Reheat it when you are ready to serve. We recommend using the microwave or a short bath in boiling water to reheat the noodles.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best plain pasta in the pressure cooker.

  • Tip: Calculate cooking time exactly. Cook for half the cooking time on the pasta box, minus 1 minute.
  • Tip: Do a quick release. After the timer is done, switch the valve to vent immediately for a quick release. This prevents overcooking the pasta.
  • Tip: Add olive oil and salt. The oil and salt prevent the noodles from sticking together and turning out bland.
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How To Store

Refrigerate: Completely cooled Instant Pot pasta leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Even though it might not be as good as freshly cooked pasta, pressure cooked pasta freezes really well. Transfer cold pasta to a freezer safe container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

How To Reheat

Reheat leftover pasta in the microwave using a covered microwave safe dish. Alternatively, you can drop cold leftover pasta into boiling water for no longer than 1 minute. Strain and serve.

cooked pasta in a colander

Stef says….

I love turning leftover pasta into scrumptious pasta salads. Two of my favorite recipes are Caesar Pasta Salad and Pesto Pasta Salad. They combine pasta with fresh vegetables, cheese and a flavorful dressing. The perfect lunch!

Common Questions

Can I cook all kinds of pasta in the Instant Pot?

Yes. Just make sure you calculate the pressure cooking time exactly. Cut the cooking time that is suggested on the box in half and subtract 1 minute. Some noodles like spaghetti, for example, might be too long for the Instant Pot and need to be broken in half.

What can I use Instant Pot pasta for?

Use plain Instant Pot pasta in any dish that calls for precooked noodles. You can mix them with your favorite pasta sauces or turn them into delicious pasta salad.

My pasta came out undercooked. How can I fix it?

If your pasta comes out slightly undercooked, make sure there is enough liquid in the Instant Pot and pressure cook for another 1-2 minutes. Do another quick release and strain.

cooked pasta in colander
5 from 2 votes

Instant Pot Pasta Recipe

Author Andrea + Stef

Course side, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian, vegetarian
Prep Time 1 minute minute
Cook Time 4 minutes minutes
Total Time 5 minutes minutes
Print
Pin
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6 servings
Learn how to cook Instant Pot pasta. Recipes included for plain pasta or with an olive oil sauce or a creamy garlic sauce.
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Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • colander

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz ziti pasta
  • 3-4 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

  • Add pasta to the instant pot. Spread out so it isn’t clumped together.
  • Add olive oil, salt, and water to the pot. Water should cover the top of the noodles. If it does not, add more water until the noodles are just covered. Stir to prevent pasta from sticking together.
    uncooked pasta in the instant pot
  • Lock lid and seal. Set to high pressure for 4 minutes. (cook for half the cooking time on the box, minus 1 minute)
  • While pasta is cooking, place a colander into a large bowl.
  • When timer is done carefully switch valve to vent for a quick release.
    cooked pasta in pressure cooker
  • Pour pasta and water into the colander. Reserve pasta water in bowl for use in your pasta recipe, if necessary.
    cooked instant pot pasta in a colander

Notes

How To Make A Simple Olive Oil Pasta Sauce

Need easy recipes for your noodles? For a quick dinner or side dish the whole family will love, make a simple olive oil sauce for your pasta. This recipe has simple ingredients and is ready in a couple of minutes. Serve with a side of healthy vegetables and your favorite protein. Once you’ve removed your pasta (and saved the starchy pasta water) follow the instructions below.
  1. Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting.
  2. Heat 3 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced. Stir the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, until the edges begin to brown and it is golden brown.
  3. Optional: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or 2 Tablespoons sun dried tomatoes. Stir for 30 seconds.
  4. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Be careful because oil might splatter. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes.
  5. Add drained pasta and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Toss to coat.
  6. Optional: Garnish with fresh ground black pepper, fresh grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or fresh parsley on top of the pasta.
  7. Serve with crusty bread and bread dipping oil.

How To Make A Simple Cream Sauce

Love a creamy pasta sauce? Make this easy cream sauce in your Instant Pot after you’ve cooked your noodles. Measure all your ingredients before you begin because this sauce cooks quickly.
  1. Set your Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add 2 Tablespoons salted butter and allow it to melt.
  2. Add 4 teaspoons pressed garlic (4 cloves garlic). Stir and cook for 30 seconds or until you begin to smell the garlic.
  3. Add 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour. Whisk continually to make a roux, about 1 minute.
  4. Slowly add 1 ¾ cups of heavy cream or half and half. Stir continually to mix, about 1-2 minutes. Break up any lumps with your whisk.
  5. Sauce is ready when you dip a spoon into it and it coats the spoon when the spoon is removed. It should be slightly thickened.
  6. Season with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and black pepper and ⅓ cup of fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
  7. Place drained noodles into a serving bowl. Pour sauce over the noodles and toss to combine. Serve with garlic french bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 202mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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