Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
The easiest, creamiest, most delicious tomato pasta you'll ever make! Ready in under 20 minutes with only 5 minutes of pressure cooking, this one pot wonder is the ultimate busy weeknight dinner.
Equipment
- Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker (6-quart or larger)
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula or long handled spoon for stirring
- Serving bowls
Ingredients
- 8 ounces short pasta such as penne, rotini, ziti, or fusilli
- 1 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup marinara sauce your favorite jarred kind
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
For Serving (Optional):
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley chopped
Instructions
- Layer the Ingredients (Do Not Stir!): Place the dry pasta into the stainless steel liner of your Instant Pot. Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream evenly over the pasta. Gently press the noodles down with a spatula so they are mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Add Sauce and Spices: Pour the marinara sauce over the top of the pasta. Do not stir. Evenly sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes over the sauce. Again, do not stir.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the steam release valve is set to the "Sealing" position. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook button and set the time to 5 minutes on high pressure. The pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- Quick Release: Once the 5 minute cooking cycle is complete, immediately and carefully perform a quick release by turning the steam release valve to the "Venting" position. Stand back as the steam escapes rapidly.
- Stir and Serve: When the pin drops and all steam is released, carefully open the lid. Stir the pasta and sauce together well. The sauce will thicken as you stir. Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pasta Shape Matters: This recipe is designed for short, sturdy pasta shapes. Long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine will not cook evenly.
- Don't Skip the Layering: It's important to layer the ingredients as directed without stirring. This prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom and ensures it cooks perfectly.
- Adjust the Heat: For a spicier pasta, increase the red pepper flakes to ½ teaspoon. For a milder version, omit them entirely.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
- Make it Vegetarian: Simply substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth.