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    Popular » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Ham and Cheese Tortellini

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Feb 11, 2019 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    Creamy Instant Pot Ham and Cheese Tortellini with leftover ham is a quick and easy recipe that's ready in 30 minutes and has almost no prep work!

    Jump to Recipe -

    instant pot ham and cheese tortellini with peas in a white bowl

    Creamy Instant Pot ham and cheese tortellini with peas is a super quick and easy dinner that you make with leftover ham and just a few other ingredients. If you're looking for a simple dump and start Instant Pot recipe that's easy enough for beginners, you'll want to try this one!

    Some of my favorite Instant Pot recipes are ones where you just throw everything into the pot and press start. I'm all about quick and easy dinner recipes, and it really doesn't get much easier than this.

    My family loves tortellini, so I have several tortellini recipes on the blog. Actually, my one pot tortellini and leftover ham recipe was the inspiration for this one. It's Italian inspired and kind of like ham tortellini Alfredo.

    But, when I started making this ham and cheese tortellini in the Instant Pot, it just sort of turned into more of a mac and cheese recipe. It's basically leftover ham and pasta in a creamy cheese sauce. Oh, you guys -- it's so dang good!

    How to make leftover ham and cheese tortellini in the Instant Pot

    Ham and cheese tortellini is a great way to use up leftover cooked ham. If you don't have leftover ham, you can buy ham at the deli counter and have them slice it into thick cubes. Just add the cubed ham to your Instant Pot.

    leftover ham cubes in the instant pot

    Then, pour uncooked tortellini on top, and add some water and spices. Since ham has plenty of salt, I only added ½ a teaspoon here. You can leave it out completely if you want.

    leftover ham and tortellini in the instant pot

    After pressure cooking, stir in some frozen peas, a touch of Dijon mustard, heavy cream and cheese. I used colby jack and a little bit of Parm here. The sauce looks thin at first, but it thickens up as the tortellini cools down.

    instant pot ham and cheese tortellini with peas in a creamy sauce on a spoon

    And that's all you need to make this easy, creamy, cheesy Instant Pot ham and cheese tortellini! It takes about 30 minutes to make, so it's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

    Did I mention that it's super kid friendly? Even my picky eaters ate this tortellini right up!

    bowl of creamy instant pot ham and cheese tortellini with peas on a napkin with fork

    How long is leftover ham good in the fridge?

    Generally, you want to use up cooked leftover ham within 3 to 5 days.

    Can you freeze leftover ham?

    Absolutely! Just put your leftover ham into freezer bags or airtight freezer-safe containers for best results.

    More easy Instant Pot tortellini recipes

    • Instant Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini
    • Instant Pot Creamy Sausage Tortellini
    • Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortellini

    Instant Pot Ham and Cheese Tortellini with Peas Recipe

    instant pot ham and cheese tortellini with peas in a white bowl

    Instant Pot Ham and Cheese Tortellini

    Published by Dee
    Instant Pot Ham and Cheese Tortellini made with leftover ham in a creamy cheese sauce is a quick and easy recipe you can make in less than 30 minutes! A dump and start dinner! 
    5 from 8 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 4 mins
    pressure time 10 mins
    Total Time 19 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 416 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups leftover ham cubed
    • 20 ounces cheese tortellini
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ cup peas
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 2 cups colby jack cheese shredded
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded

    Instructions
     

    • Add the ham to inner Instant Pot
    • Add the uncooked tortellini over the ham
    • Pour the water over and around tortellini
    • Sprinkle the garlic powder, sea salt and pepper on the tortellini, and place the lid on top
    • Turn valve to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes. Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure and begin counting down, then cook for 4 minutes 
    • When pot beeps, do a quick release. When pin drops, carefully open lid, and stir
    • Pour in the peas, then stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard
    • Gradually add the colby jack and Parmesan cheese, stirring until well blended and creamy. Sauce may be thin at first but will thicken up as it sits and cools

    Notes

    Make sure you use large 20-ounce package of refrigerated tortellini or 2 smaller packages. I used Buitoni brand here.
    Recipe was made in a 6 quart Instant Pot pressure cooker. You can use an 8 quart without changing ingredient amounts.
    Add more cheese for a thicker sauce. 

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

    Nutrition

    Calories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 23gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 947mgPotassium: 148mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 530IUVitamin C: 2.9mgCalcium: 333mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Instant Pot Ham and Cheese Tortellini recipe with leftover ham

    I hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot leftover ham and cheese tortellini recipe as much as we do!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Grant says

      May 12, 2019 at 3:44 pm

      Are you able to use dry tortellini over fresh or frozen? If you can use dry would the time be the same?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 13, 2019 at 9:37 am

        Yes! For dry, I would cook it for half the time recommended on the box.

      • Grant says

        May 17, 2019 at 3:48 am

        What about the amount of water for cooking ?

      • Dee says

        May 18, 2019 at 1:04 pm

        It depends upon how much you're using. Usually, you use 4 cups for 1 pound of dry pasta unless you're using sauce or there is a lot of liquid in the pot from cooking meat. You can also try adding just enough water to cover the pasta.

    2. Allison says

      March 10, 2019 at 1:28 pm

      Thanks! Also, am I not reading the recipe correctly? It lists Dijon mustard as an ingredient, but it's never mentioned in the steps. I assume it goes in after the tortellini is cooked?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 10, 2019 at 5:13 pm

        Yes, Thanks. It goes in with the heavy cream. 🙂

    3. Allison says

      March 03, 2019 at 11:11 am

      Should you use refrigerated tortellini or frozen for this recipe?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 03, 2019 at 12:22 pm

        I use refrigerated tortellini -- Buitoni brand -- but any brand is fine.

      • Sarah says

        May 12, 2019 at 4:47 pm

        Can this be the non-refrigerated tortellini?

      • Dee says

        May 14, 2019 at 8:21 am

        Yes. Just cook it for half the time it says to on the package.

    4. Miz Helen says

      February 19, 2019 at 11:22 am

      This is a great recipe for the Instant Pot! Hope you are having a good week and staying warm. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    5. James says

      February 14, 2019 at 6:48 am

      Made this for dinner last night. Another winner with the kids!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 14, 2019 at 11:17 am

        So happy your family likes it, James!

    6. Kimberly says

      February 12, 2019 at 10:42 pm

      Simple, quick and delicious - that's always a winning combo!

      Reply
    7. Jacque Hastert says

      February 12, 2019 at 3:58 pm

      My kiddos love tortellini and I love my instant pot. It's a match made in heaven!5 stars

      Reply
    8. Abeer says

      February 12, 2019 at 1:47 pm

      This is my new favorite dish! Creamy and flavorful! I love these tortellini!5 stars

      Reply
    9. Allyson Zea says

      February 12, 2019 at 1:31 pm

      How easy is this in the instant pot??? I love it!!!5 stars

      Reply
    10. Toni says

      February 12, 2019 at 10:41 am

      I love how creamy it looks! Can't wait to try it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 12, 2019 at 2:29 pm

        Thanks, Toni. I hope you like it! 🙂

    11. Allison says

      February 12, 2019 at 9:02 am

      Just what we needed to warm up on a chilly day! Tasty and comforting - yum!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 12, 2019 at 2:26 pm

        Thanks, Allison. It's very comforting -- glad you liked it!

    12. Melanie Bauer says

      February 12, 2019 at 3:58 am

      Looks fantastic! This is perfect specially when we need something quick and easy dinner, need to make this!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 12, 2019 at 2:24 pm

        Thanks so much, Melanie. It's super quick!

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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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