Making pasta in the Instant Pot is incredibly easy if you follow these guidelines for best results. You can make pasta on its own to add to other dishes or combine with your favorite sauce.
Either way, you will find yourself using this handy method to make many a quick and easy meal.
What Pasta Can You Cook in the Instant Pot
- Use only dry pasta.
- Do not use pasta that takes less than 8 minutes to cook.
- Do not use tiny pasta, such as orzo or pastina, as it may clog the steam release vent.
- Do not use any pasta that has “floating” as the doneness test, such as gnocchi or tortellini, as you cannot see the pasta to tell whether it is floating.
How To Cook Pasta In the Instant Pot
- Add Pasta, Salt, and Oil to the Inner Pot and smooth the pasta down evenly with a spoon.
- Add Just Enough Water to cover the pasta plus 1/2 cup. You may need to push the pasta down again.
- Check the Box for the recommended cooking time for al dente pasta. You will use half this number minus 1 minute. So if your type of pasta calls for 8 minute cooking time for al dente, you will pressure cook your pasta on High for 3 minutes (8 ÷ 2 = 4. 4 – 1 = 3)
- Use Quick Release but if pasta water starts coming out of the release valve, turn the valve open and closed a couple of times until the spurting has stopped and the valve drops down.
- Drain Water, if necessary. Add it to a recipe you are making or serve with your favorite sauce or toppings. If you are using the pasta for a pasta salad, rinse pasta under cold running water and drain before using.
Recipes To Make using Instant Pot Pasta
Instant Pot Pasta
Making pasta in the Instant Pot is amazingly easy if you follow these guidelines for best results. You can make pasta on its own to add to other dishes or to toss with your favorite sauce. Either way, you will find yourself using this handy method to make many a quick and easy meal.
Prep Time :2 minutes
Cook Time :3 minutes
Servings 8
Equipment
- 1 lb dried pasta
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp pure olive oil
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried pasta
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp pure olive oil
Instructions
- Add pasta, salt and oil to the inner pot. Using a spoon, push pasta down evenly. Add enough water just to cover pasta, pushing pasta down as needed, then add another 1/2 cup water.
- Close and lock the lid and turn the steam release handle to Sealing. Set your Instant Pot to pressure cook on High and adjust the time to half the time recommended on the pasta package minus 1 minute. (If the cooking time is a range, use half of the higher number minus 1 minute.)
- When the cooking time is done, press Cancel and turn the steam release handle to Venting. When the float valve drops down, remove the lid. The pasta should be al dente. (If more cooking time is needed, continue pressure cooking on High for 1 minute.) Drain off excess water, if necessary.
- Serve immediately, add to your sauce or add to another recipe according to directions.
Notes
- Use only dried pasta. Do not use pasta that requires less than 8 minutes cooking time. Fresh pasta usually requires 7 minutes or less to cook.
- Do not use tiny pasta, such as orzo or pastina, as it may clog the steam release vent.
- Do not use any pasta, such as gnocchi, that has “floating” as the doneness test, as you cannot see the pasta to tell whether it is floating.
Nutrition
Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
