Home » Main Dishes » Instant Pot Penne Pasta
Published: February 12, 2020Updated: April 19, 2022Author: Jenn Laughlin
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Save on time (and dishes!) with this tasty one-pot Instant Pot Penne Pasta recipe!
I whipped up this easy peasy Instant Pot pasta the other night and had to hop on here and share the recipe!
It’s quick, easy, and a total breeze to clean up since you’re not using multiple pots/pans/strainers.
Let’s get saucy!
I make this easy peasy Instant Pot penne pasta with jar sauce to keep things crazy simple but you could also use your favorite go-to homemade sauce if you’d like.
For the carnivores out there, you can also brown some ground beef in the IP first (sauté it along with the onions) before adding the remaining ingredients.
Paul asked me if I could add mushrooms to it next time and I am SO excited to try it! I think it would be an awesome addition.
Easy Instant Pot Penne Pasta with Red Sauce
This simple and saucy pasta dish is a fantastic weeknight dinner and is ready in record time!
Cooking the whole pasta dish in the Instant Pot nixes the need for additional pots/pans and draining/straining. You can 100% whip this up on the stove if needed but I love the ease of the pressure cooker here.
Instant Pot Penne Pasta
Save on time (and dishes!) with this tasty one-pot Instant Pot Penne Pasta recipe!
4.80 from 25 votes
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Instant Pot Penne Pasta
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Jenn Laughlin – Peas and Crayons
Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt (plus extra to taste)
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp dried basil or fresh basil, to taste
- 1/8-1/4 tsp black pepper
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups spaghetti sauce (snag your favorite!)
- 1 TBSP cream cheese
- 2 handfuls fresh baby spinach
- Parmesan cheese for topping, to taste
Instructions
First measure our all your ingredients and prep your veggies. This dish comes together quickly!
Peel and finely chop your onion. Peel, smash, and mince garlic.
Using a6-Quart Instant Pot, set to sauté function, add 2 tsp oil, and heat. Sauté onions approx. 3-4 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached, then add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Press "CANCEL/OFF" and add water and pasta. Stir to combine, making sure the onions/garlic are incorporated into the liquid and not stuck to the bottom.
Add crushed red pepper flakes, basil, salt, and pepper and top with 2 cups of spaghetti sauce but DO NOT STIR.
Secure the lid and place the vent in the sealing position. Set to "MANUAL" or "PRESSURE COOK" mode on "HIGH" pressure. Use the +/- button to adjust the cook time to 5 minutes. The general rule of thumb for cooking pasta in the Instant Pot is to cook for half the box's cook time for the noodles. Double check your pasta box and adjust time as needed.
The Instant Pot will take an adittional 5-8 minutes or so to come to presure before the countdown begins. When the Instant Pot beeps and the countdown has finished, quick release the pressure by flipping the valve to venting position. Stand back as the steam releases.
Once the pin drops and the lid unlocks, remove lid and mix in the cream cheese and spinach. Return the lid for a minute while the spinach wilts. Snag a noodle to taste-test then adjust spices as needed, adding extra of anything you'd like. I added extra red pepper flakes to mine – yum!
Top with grated Parmesan cheese and dig in while it's hot!
Notes
Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based onamount of parmesanadded and choice of sauce. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 392kcal, Carbohydrates: 74g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Potassium: 719mg, Fiber: 5g, Vitamin A: 2023IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?I want to see! Tag @peasandcrayons on Instagram and Facebook!
If you get a chance to try this easy Instant Pot Penne Pasta recipe, let me know!
Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
Looking for more Instant Pot Pasta Recipes?
I have the most amazing Instant Pot Tortellini recipe topped with fresh shredded basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Love it so!
Sarcastic Cooking’s Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca looks super tasty!
Another crowd favorite is my vegetarian Instant Pot Taco Pasta. Though I make it veggie style my MIL makes it with ground turkey and they adore it! It’s super versatile and always vanishes fast.
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About The Author:
Jenn Laughlin
Hi! I’m Jenn and I’m here to help you eat your veggies! It'll be fun, painless, and pretty darn delicious as I teach you to plan your meals around fresh, seasonal produce with a little help from healthy freezer and pantry staples.
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