Easy Instant Pot Pasta Recipes (3 Ways)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Common Questions