Instant Pot Pizza Pasta is a super quick and easy dinner made with penne pasta, sausage, pepperoni and lots of cheese. Done in 30 minutes and kid approved!
Instant Pot pizza pasta is loaded with Italian sausage, sliced pepperoni and lots of mozzarella cheese. I made this the other night for my kids, and it’s now one of their favorite Instant Pot recipes. If you’re looking for an easy kid friendly dinner, this pizza pasta casserole recipe is for you!
I used to make this pizza pasta bake in the oven, and I even made a one pan pepperoni pizza pasta on the stove. Both of those are delicious, but of course, I wanted to make pizza pasta in my Instant Pot!
This is such an easy recipe, and it’s budget friendly. You can also change it up to suit your own tastes. Skip the sausage or pepperoni, add peppers and olives — whatever works for you and your family!
Can you cook pasta in the Instant Pot?
Yes! It’s super easy to make pasta in the Instant Pot. I make pasta in the pressure cooker all the time. In fact, one of my most popular recipes is Instant Pot creamy shells and beef.
Basically, you want to cook pasta in the Instant Pot for about half of the lowest time recommended on the box. I usually cook pasta for 4 to 5 minutes, tops.
How to make pizza pasta in the Instant Pot
Start off by browning the Italian sausage on the saute setting. Make sure to check the bottom of the pot to make sure no browned bits are stuck. If so, you’ll want to take a little bit of the water and deglaze the pot.
Next, add your pasta over the sausage. I used mezze penne here, but you can use regular pasta or just about any thick pasta for this recipe.
Pour the water over and around the pasta, and then add your marinara sauce or pizza sauce on top. You can spread the sauce over the pasta, but don’t stir it.
Next, add the Italian seasoning, and pressure cook it!
Stir in about half of the pepperoni and most of the mozzarella. Then, top with remaining mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices — just like a pizza! Place the cover back on the Instant Pot for about 5 minutes to help the cheese melt.
You can add some shredded Parmesan cheese if you want. Then, you’re ready to dig right in. This is one Instant Pot pasta recipe that’s perfect for cheese lovers and kids of all ages!
More easy Instant Pot pasta recipes
- Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs
- Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Instant Pot Creamy Sausage and Shells
Instant Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe
Instant Pot Pizza Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage ground
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 3 cups water
- 24 ounces marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 cup pepperoni thinly sliced divided
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- .5 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Hit SAUTE button on Instant Pot, and when it reads Hot, add olive oil and sausage
- Cook sausage until brown, breaking it up and stirring frequently
- Deglaze bottom of pot, if necessary, using a little bit of of the water, so that no sausage is stuck to bottom of pot
- Hit CANCEL, then pour penne pasta over cooked sausage, and pour water over and around pasta
- Pour marinara sauce on top of pasta, add Italian Seasoning, and spread out so that most of pasta is covered, but do not stir
- Place lid on pot, turn valve to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes
- Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then begin counting down and cook. When pot beeps, do a quick release by turning valve to Venting
- When pin drops, carefully remove lid, and stir pasta. Keep pot on KEEP WARM mode, and stir in half of the pepperoni and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese until well blended
- Top pasta with remaining cup of mozzarella and remaining pepperoni slices. Place lid on pot for about 5 minutes to allow cheese to melt
- Top with shredded Parmesan cheese, and serve
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy this easy cheesy Instant Pot pizza pasta recipe as much as we do!
Emily Underwood says
I made this and it it turned out really watery. I think I followed the recipe exactly. Any tips? Thank you!!
Dee says
Sounds like the liquid to pasta ratio was off. Did you use the entire 1 pound box of pasta? Did you use a 24-ounce jar of marina with only 3 cups of water? I’ve never had a problem with it being watery, and we make this a lot. It should look exactly like it does in the video.
Samantha says
I added black olives and mushrooms. Delicious!
Dee says
Those sound like delicious additions!
Jeff says
This is so easy and delicious!
Thank you!
Jeff says
I forgot to select 5 stars. I don’t see how to edit it.
If need be, can you delete it and I can do it again?
Dee says
That’s fine, Jeff. No worries — just happy you liked it! 🙂
Dee says
Thank you so much, Jeff! So glad you enjoyed it!
Lori Matthews says
The recipe is missing a step where you add in the Italian seasoning. I watched the video and saw that it needs to be added on top of the marinara sauce. 🙂
Dee says
Thanks, Lori. I’ve updated the recipe! 🙂
James says
Made this for dinner and everyone loved it. Kids want it again already!
Dee says
Sounds like my kids! Thanks so much!
Paula says
BRB going to grab my IP so I can start to make THIS.
Erin Dee says
So quick and easy in the instant pot! This is a perfect dinner for a busy weeknight!
Jacquelyn Hastert says
You have combined two of my favorites into one amazing dinner. Adding this to my dinner list for next week.
Dee says
Awesome, Jacque! I hope you like it!
Shannon Graham says
What a delicious recipe idea! My kids would love this for dinner….it has the word pizza in it, ha!
Dee says
My kids think the same way, Shannon!
Anna says
Love this idea for IP pasta! My family will love it!
Jade Manning says
Love finding new recipe ideas!
Catalina says
My kid will definitely love this pizza pasta . Pasta is always a favorite in our house!
Dee says
It’s the same at my house! 🙂
Steph says
My kids are going to die when I make this recipe! It’s a combo of their two favorite dinners!
Dee says
My kids are the same way! 🙂