Instant Pot Pasta Recipe
servings
Learn how to cook Instant Pot pasta. Recipes included for plain pasta or with an olive oil sauce or a creamy garlic sauce.
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.
- 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.
- Pour pasta and water into the colander. Reserve pasta water in bowl for use in your pasta recipe, if necessary.
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.- Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting.
- 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.
- Optional: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or 2 Tablespoons sun dried tomatoes. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Be careful because oil might splatter. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add drained pasta and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Toss to coat.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh ground black pepper, fresh grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or fresh parsley on top of the pasta.
- 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.- Set your Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add 2 Tablespoons salted butter and allow it to melt.
- Add 4 teaspoons pressed garlic (4 cloves garlic). Stir and cook for 30 seconds or until you begin to smell the garlic.
- Add 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour. Whisk continually to make a roux, about 1 minute.
- 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.
- 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.
- Season with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and black pepper and ⅓ cup of fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
- 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