Pasta is one of the most delicious Italian dishes famous worldwide. People typically eat it for lunch and dinner as well. It is a healthy diet made of whole grains. Though cooking pasta isn’t hard, cooking it for the first time might require some guidance.

Whether it is considered a healthy diet depends on the individual dietary needs and the specific preparation of the dish.

Pasta can be cooked in numerous ways depending on your cooking style and flavors. The usual type of cooking pasta is a two-way process: boil and cook. 

Instant Pot Pasta requires minimum effort and time as well. Many people find it tastier than the regular style of cooking pasta. It’s because cooking pasta in an instant pot has many additional benefits. For instance, the nutrients do not drain away in water.

1. How Do You Cook Pasta in an Instant Pot?

Cooking pasta in an instant pot is super easy. However, if you want to cook pasta in an instant pot, follow the steps below. For more delicious recipes, scroll down to the page.

So, let’s see ‘how to cook pasta in the instant pot.’

1. Take a pressure cooker.
2. Place pasta into the pressure cooker and add water.
3. Pasta should not be entirely submerged in the water; it will overcook the pasta.
4. Also, do not use less water; otherwise, it will burn the pasta.
5. Just see that the water level should be slightly down the pasta.
6. However, it would be best to remember it is double the water amount from the amount of pasta.
7. Further, you can add more flavor to chicken broth instead of water. But it is optional.
8. Now, add the salt to taste in the pasta and a bit of olive oil.
9. It will help make non-sticky pasta.
10. The time you need to pressure cook the pasta depends on several factors.

• Cook Angel Hair Pasta for 1 minute.
• Cook Standard Spaghetti Pasta for 2 minutes.
• Further, cook Macaroni, Fettuccine, and Rotini Pasta for 3 minutes.
• Lastly, cook Ziti, Penne, and Rigatoni Pasta for 4 minutes.

This is the recipe for cooking standard whole wheat pasta, not gluten-free pasta. Adjusting the water amount and time is essential to cook delicious pasta.

2. Veggie Pasta Recipe in Instant Pot

Another recipe that you can try is mouth-watering veggie pasta. You can also cook veggie pasta in the Instant Pot. Let’s see how:

2.1. Ingredients to Gather

The ingredients given below are used for 200 grams of Macaroni Pasta. You can also choose another pasta, depending on what you’ve got.

• Roughly chopped in long slices large onion: 1
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Finely chopped large tomato: 1
• Green chili: 2
• Red Pasta Sauce: 1 cup
• Colorful bell peppers: 3 (each color)
• Long slices of chopped carrot: ½ carrot
• Water: Double the amount of pasta
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoon
• Salt: To Taste
• Pasta Masala: 1 regular small packet
• Red Chilli Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Coriander Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon

Further, you can add the veggies of your choice, like mushrooms, broccoli, etc. Adding veggies to pasta depends on your taste.

2.2. Steps to Follow

Below are the sequential steps to prepare delicious instant pot pasta.

• Take the pressure cooker and heat it on medium flame.
• Add 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil and let it heat.
• Add finely chopped cloves of garlic to the oil.
• Then, add chopped onion and stir until it becomes translucent.
• Further, add the green chilies and fry them with onion for 30 seconds.
• Later, add chopped tomatoes to it.
• Saute it well.
• Put the pasta masala into the bowl and add a tablespoon of water.
• Add this wet prepared masala to the puree and stir-fry until the oil comes out.
• Further, add the bell peppers and carrot to it and saute it for 2 minutes.
• Then, add the red pasta sauce (tomato or chili). 
• Now, add the spices and salt to taste.
• Take the pasta and place it in the cooker.
• Use a ½ tablespoon of oil to cover the pasta. It will make it non-sticky.
• Lastly, add the water, and remember not to submerge the pasta in water entirely.
• Saute it and close the lid of the cooker.
• Cook it for 3-4 minutes until one whistle.
• Turn off the stove and let it cool down.
• Open the cooker and saute the pasta well.
• Cover the pasta in the cooker with a two-minute lid on the off-stove to give it an ideal texture.
• Now, open the lid and start serving.

3. Benefits of Cooking Pasta in Instant Pot

Cooking pasta is beneficial in many health-related ways. It becomes super delicious and flawlessly cooked. Let’s see the benefits of cooking pasta in Instant Pot:

3.1. Flavorful

An instant pot-cooked pasta is more delicious than pasta cooked separately. It is incredibly flavorful as seasonings get mixed up properly with boiling water, improving flavor.

However, this pasta in an instant pot cooks under pressure and soaks all the flavors of the ingredients in water. You can add elements of your choice to the liquid, like bouillon or broth, to make it more delicious. 

3.2. Think Sauce

Usually, when we cook pasta, we are sometimes required to receive the starchy pasta liquid to thicken the sauce. However, you don’t need to do it anymore. This is because the starchy fluid isn’t drained away when the pasta is cooked in an instant pot.

This liquid remains in the pot and naturally thickens the sauce. So, you can combine it with less cheese or cream to make its sauce thick. Its thick sauce gives it an eye-catching view and delicious flavor and smell.

3.3. Ideal Texture

People often question whether cooking in an instant pot will give it a flawless texture. However, no need to worry. Usually, the liquid drained out after boiling pasta remains in it.

So, it gives an ideal thickness to the sauce or creamy texture of the pasta. Perfectly mixed flavors blend well, giving it a beautiful texture that everybody would love to eat. 

3.4. Monitoring-Free

Cooking Instant Pot pasta exactly means you do not need to monitor it. Monitor the pasta for how much it has boiled and the sauce for how much it has thickened. You need to stir everything well, close the lid, and then leave it to cook.

After cooking for the entire duration, you must turn off the stove. Garnish it well with the cilantro leaves and spring onions. It saves your monitoring effort. 

4. 5 Recipes to Cook Delicious Pasta

Pasta is already a delicious dish. But, it can become more delicious when prepared with different veggies and recipes. Also, different varieties of pasta differ in their shapes and grains.

Usually, it is made of common wheat and some other healthy grains. Following are the best and five quick recipes to prepare swiftly when you are hungry.

4.1. Pasta with Roasted Capers and Cauliflowers

Pasta with roasted capers and cauliflowers is a beautiful match. Antics give it a crunchy flavor, whereas cauliflower makes it healthier. Get through the recipe ingredients below and the steps to prepare it at home.

4.1.1. Ingredients to Gather

The essential ingredients will be needed to prepare a finger-licking recipe.

• Dried Rigatoni Pasta: 8 ounces
• Small florets of 1 Cauliflower
• Ground Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon
• Kosher Salt: ¾ teaspoon
• Rinsed Capers: 3 tablespoons
• Thinly Sliced Cloves of Garlic: 3 cloves
• Roughly Chopped Anchovy Filets: 4
• Crushed Red Pepper: A pinch
• Lemon Zest: 1 tablespoon
• Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese: ¼ cup (additional cheese required for serving)
• Roughly chopped flat-leaf: ½ cup

4.1.2. Steps to Follow

Below are the detailed steps to make the pasta delicious. Remember to follow in a sequence.

• Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Bring a large pot filled with salted water to a boil.
• Cook pasta for about 10 minutes until it becomes tender.
• Drain the water and reserve one cup of cooking water.
• Now, take a large-rimmed baking sheet.
• Place the cauliflower with black pepper, salt, and half of the oil used in the ingredients. Toss everything together on the baking sheet.
• Now, put the cauliflower in a single layer.
• Roast it in the oven until it becomes deep brown (average time is about 25 minutes).
• Remember to toss halfway to ensure the brown color.
• Five minutes before taking out the cauliflower, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high flame.
• Further, add capers and saute them well.
• Spoon the olive oil over capers for about 3 minutes until it becomes crispy.
• Remove the capers on a plate with paper towels.
• Reduce the flame to medium.
• Add anchovies, garlic, and red pepper.
• Cook all together for a couple of minutes until the garlic is brown.
• Join the roasted cauliflower, pasta, ¼ cup of parsley, and ½ cup of water in the skillet.
• Toss everything to coat well.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and add two tablespoons of cheese.
• Additionally, constantly toss the pasta and add more water until you reach the needed consistency.
• Lastly, top the pasta with the capers and the remaining parsley and cheese.
• Serve with cheese, too! 

4.2. Creamy Tomato Rigatoni Pasta

Creamy Tomato Rigatoni Pasta is quite a popular dish among kids and adults. This is a flavorful dish with few spices but super delicious. Get through the recipe ingredients below and the steps to prepare it at home. 

4.2.1. Ingredients to Gather

The essential ingredients will be needed to prepare a finger-licking recipe.

• Unsalted Butter: ¼ cup
• Peeled Tomatoes: 28 ounces (tomatoes must be crushed with palms and juices must be reserved)
• Chopped Yellow Onion: 1 cup
• Heavy Cream: ½ cup
• Rigatoni Pasta: 12 ounces
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: ½ ounce
• Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon
• Crushed Red Pepper: ¼ teaspoon
• Kosher Salt: 1 teaspoon
• Chopped fresh Parsley to Garnish

4.2.2. Steps to Follow

Below are the detailed steps to make the pasta delicious. Remember to follow in a sequence.

• Melt the butter over mid-heat in a Dutch oven.
• Add chopped onions and stir it well until it becomes tender and brownish.
• Now, add the crushed tomatoes with their juices.
• Let the tomatoes cook until they boil over medium flame.
• Further, reduce the heat to a low flame.
• Let it simmer and stir for about 30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
• Meanwhile, boil the rigatoni pasta in salted water per the package’s directions.
• Then, drain the pasta and reserve ½ of its liquid for further use.
• Now, add cream to the tomato puree and stir it continuously.
• Meanwhile, add crushed red pepper, black pepper, and salt. Mix it well.
• After stirring for 3-5 minutes, add the boiled pasta and toss.
• Furthermore, add the previously reserved pasta liquid gradually to get the desired consistency.
• Serve the pasta in bowls, and top it with parmesan cheese.
• Lastly, garnish it with parsley leaves.

4.3. Spaghetti Pasta Recipe

Many people like Spaghetti Pasta, which feels like noodles but has the taste of pasta.

Here is a quick recipe to prepare spaghetti in no time. Get through the recipe ingredients below and the steps to prepare it at home.

4.3.1. Ingredients to Gather

The essential ingredients will be needed to prepare a finger-licking recipe.

• Spaghetti: 225 g
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons
• Chopped Garlic Cloves: 4
• Red Chili Flakes: 1 teaspoon
• Chopped Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons (to garnish)
• Salt: To Taste

4.3.2. Steps to Follow

Below are the detailed steps to make the pasta delicious. Remember to follow in a sequence.

• Take a large pot and fill it with enough salted water.
• Cook the Spaghetti Pasta as per the instructions given on the package.
• When draining the water, reserve ¼ cup of cooked liquid water.
• Now, take a pan and add the olive oil into it, let it heat on medium flame.
• Turn the heat to low flame and add garlic to it.
• Cook it for about 3 minutes until it becomes light brown.
• Now, add the red chili flakes and cook for one more minute.
• Then, add the previously reserved water of pasta and let it simmer.
• Further, add the spaghetti along with parsley to it.
• Stir all together until everything blends well.
• Lastly, season the spaghetti pasta with salt to taste.

4.4. Baked Cheese Pasta with Radicchio

Baked Cheese Pasta with Radicchio is a recommended recipe for trying something different.

It is full of flavors and also easy to prepare. Get through the recipe ingredients below and the steps to prepare it at home.

4.4.1. Ingredients to Gather

The essential ingredients will be needed to prepare a finger-licking recipe.

• Sliced Medium-sized Red Onions: 2
• Red Wine Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
• Cut Fontina Cheese into Cubes: 8 ounces 
• Crumbled and Softened Goat Cheese: 1 ½ cups
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Sliced Garlic Cloves: 2
• Sliced Prosciutto: 4 ounces (1-inch piece)
• Water: 3 quarts
• Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon
• Large Head Radicchio: 1 (Sliced and Cored)
• Kosher Salt: 3 ½ tablespoons
• Uncooked Short Pasta (like Casarecce): 1 pound
• Freshly Grated Nutmeg: ⅛ teaspoon
• Unsalted Butter
• Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese: 2 ounces
• Heavy Cream: 1 ½ cups

4.4.2. Steps to Follow

Below are the detailed steps to make the pasta delicious. Remember to follow in a sequence.

• Firstly, preheat the oven to 375° F.
• Take a 12-inch skillet and heat the oil on medium flame.
• Now, add the onions to the oil. Stir it occasionally till it becomes brown.
• Add radicchio, vinegar, and garlic with ½ teaspoon of salt.
• Stir everything together occasionally, and let it cook until the radicchio wilts.
• Next, add cream and goat cheese and stir it.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer on medium to high flame.
• Remove it from the stove and set aside.
• Meanwhile, take a large pot, fill it with 3 quarts of water, and boil it over a high flame.
• Add three tablespoons of salt to the water, add pasta, and cook it for about 8-10 minutes (until softened).
• Reserve one cup of the cooked pasta liquid and drain the rest.
• Add the pasta with nutmeg, pepper, and one teaspoon salt to the radicchio mixture.
• Also, add the reserved liquid to it and stir everything together.
• Top it with prosciutto and 1 ½ cups of fontina cheese, toss well.
• Take a 3-quart baking dish and grease it with butter.
• Furthermore, transfer the mixture of pasta to the baking dish.
• Top it with the remaining ½ cup of fontina cheese.
• Sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese.
• Bake the fusion in the preheated oven until it bubbles around the edges and golden brown layer.
• Do it for 25-30 minutes.
• Let it rest and set for five minutes before serving finally.

4.5. Creamy Lemon Pasta

The Creamy Lemon Pasta is delicious and easy to make. Also, it doesn’t require much of the ingredients and is healthy. Get through the recipe ingredients below and the steps to prepare it at home.

4.5.1. Ingredients to Gather

The essential ingredients will be needed to prepare a finger-licking recipe.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: ¾ cup
• Meyer Lemon Zest: 1 tablespoon
• Water: 4 quarts
• Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese: ¾ cup
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup
• Honey: 1 teaspoon
• Dried Fettuccine Pasta: 1 pound
• Kosher Salt: 2 tablespoons and ¾ teaspoon
• Minced Shallots: 3 medium-sized
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon (to garnish)
• Fresh Meyer Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons
• Meyer Lemon Supremes: ⅓ cup (to garnish)

4.5.2. Steps to Follow

Below are the detailed steps to make the pasta delicious. Remember to follow in a sequence.

• Take a large pot, add 4 quarts of water, and bring it to a boil.
• Add two tablespoons of kosher salt to the water.
• Meanwhile, take a large skillet and heat it on medium flame.
• Add oil and lemon zest, and let it heat in the skillet.
• Further, add shallots, honey, and the remaining ¾ teaspoon of salt.
• Cook all together for 5 minutes until shallots become soft.
• Top it with the cream and bring it to a simmer for 2 minutes.
• Let the pasta cook until it becomes tender to eat.
• Reserve the ½ cup of the cooked pasta liquid and drain the rest of the water.
• Add lemon juice to the pasta and toss well to blend.
• However, the pasta will soak the lemon juice.
• Combine the ¼ cup of reserved liquid and cheese with cream sauce in the skillet.
• Stir everything together and add pasta to it.
• Toss well to coat it well.
• Also, you can add more reserved liquid if required.
• Garnish it with Meyer lemon supreme and pepper when serving.

5. In The End

Pasta is a popular dish worldwide. Kids to adults, everybody likes to have it for different meals. Also, it is easy to make and doesn’t take much time to cook. Furthermore, pasta comes in a wide variety of shapes.

However, most are made of whole grains but have different shapes. These shapes help give it a distinct look each time you cook the same recipe with other pasta. Furthermore, spaghetti, macaroni, and penne pasta are highly popular among dishes.

Ravioli, Farfalle, Rigatoni, Fusilli, Cannelloni, Linguine, Fettuccine, Ditalini, and Pappardelle are other types of pasta. Though there are still more varieties of pasta, most of it is listed already.

Most people like to eat pasta. However, veggie pasta and white sauce pasta are often cooked everywhere. There are endless recipes for adding different flavors to your pasta. Those mentioned above are a few of the best and unique recipes to add to your pasta diet.

Pasta is a delicious dish, but cooking it every time with the same recipe might bore you. Try this recipe and tell us your experience in the comment section.

Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by Namrata