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    Popular » Recipes » Instant Pot

    How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Mar 20, 2020 by Dee

    Learn How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Use this easy recipe for plain pasta with a simple sauce or for side salads.

    Jump to Recipe -
    bowl of penne pasta with parmesan cheese

    This easy recipe for plain old Instant Pot pasta is perfect when you want to make pasta without sauce. Use it for short pasta, macaroni, spaghetti, egg noodles and tortellini.

    So many of my Instant Pot recipes are for pasta with some type of meat in the sauce. As much as I love making spaghetti with meat sauce, creamy shells and beef and creamy chicken pasta in the Instant Pot, sometimes, you just need a bowl of plain old buttered noodles!

    Or, maybe you need to make pasta salad or macaroni salad. Whatever you need it for, plain pasta is quick and easy in the pressure cooker!

    How to Cook Plain Pasta without Sauce in the Instant Pot

    Pour the pasta into the inner liner. Then, add your water and some sea salt.

    For spaghetti noodles, you need to break them in half and stack them first. Otherwise, they may stick together.

    Pasta to Water Ratio

    Generally, you want to use 4 cups of water for 16 ounces of pasta or 2 cups of water for 8 ounces of pasta. Keep in mind, this is for plain pasta only.

    If you're adding sauce or meat, you might use less water as you're adding extra liquids. I usually use 1 cup less water when adding sauce, but this may change with each recipe.

    penne pasta and water in the instant pot

    How Long to Pressure Cook Pasta

    The general rule of thumb for Instant Pot pasta is to cook it for half the time recommended on the box. I usually cook most pastas for 4 minutes or 5 minutes if I want the pasta a little softer.

    When the pasta is done, you may still have some water in the bottom. Just stir it well, and the pasta should absorb the water.

    If there is still some water remaining, drain the pasta before serving.

    wooden spoon in instant pot with penne pasta

    Instant pot Egg Noodles

    Egg noodles usually cook faster than other types of pasta. I usually pressure cook egg noodles for 3 minutes.

    Fresh Tortellini

    Refrigerated fresh tortellini or other filled pasta cooks faster than dried pasta. I cook this pasta in the Instant Pot for 3 minutes.

    What to Serve with Plain Pasta

    Stir in a little butter, and add grated Parmesan and parsley for a simple side dish or main dish. If you like to cook your tomato sauce separately, pour some on top!

    You can also serve pasta with any saucy main dish, like Instant Pot Cranberry Chicken, Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken or Instant Pot Apricot Chicken.

    bowl of penne pasta next to an instant pot

    What about Gluten Free Pasta?

    I don't personally have experience with gluten free pasta or other types of pasta. But, I have heard from readers who say cooking this pasta for half the time suggested on the box works for them.

    close up of penne pasta in a white bowl

    How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot

    bowl of penne pasta with parmesan cheese

    Instant Pot Pasta

    Published by Dee
    Learn How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Use this easy recipe for plain pasta with a simple sauce or for side salads.
    5 from 2 votes
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    Prep Time 3 mins
    Cook Time 4 mins
    pressure time 10 mins
    Total Time 17 mins
    Course Main, Side Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 10
    Calories 168 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 ounces pasta
    • 4 cups cold water
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Place pasta in the Instant Pot
    • Pour water over pasta and sprinkle with sea salt
    • Place lid on pressure cooker, make sure vent is on Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes. You may also have to hit START depending on your model.
    • Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure then will count down and cook for 4 minutes. When pot beeps, allow a 1 minute natural release, then do a gradual release by slowly turning the valve to minimize foam spraying out.
    • When pin drops, remove lid, stir to allow pasta to absorb water, then drain remaining water if necessary, and remove to platter or bowl to serve or to top with sauce.

    Notes

    Recipe has been tested with 6 and 8 quart Instant Pot pressure cookers but can be used with any brand.
    For firmer pasta, do a gradual quick release after cook time is complete.
    For pasta salads, rinse with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 235mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mili says

      January 02, 2023 at 12:17 pm

      I love this idea. Pasta always turns out perfect. Thank u.

      Reply
    2. Amanda says

      May 12, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      Just made this scaled down for 2. Used 126g spaghetti plus 1.5c water. It’s was perfect! Thank you!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Jerry says

      April 06, 2020 at 4:50 pm

      This is so much better than on the stove. Loved this!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 15, 2020 at 2:34 pm

        Thank you so much! Glad you liked the pasta tips!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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