If you haven’t cooked pasta in your Instant Pot yet, prepare to have your mind blown.
Equipment
You Can Cook Pasta in Your Instant Pot
After cooking lots (and lots) of pasta in the Instant Pot, I’m hooked. Here’s what I’ve learned.
By Published July 5, 2022
I had my doubts. But after cooking through pounds of pasta while working on our Healthy and Delicious Instant Pot book, I was hooked.
Not only can you cook pasta in your Instant Pot, you should. So take my hand and come with me as I explain the pasta-in-your-Instant-Pot whys and hows.
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Why Should I Cook Pasta in my Instant Pot?
- For starters, it’s faster. I’m talking twice as fast. You’re pressure cooking after all!
- It’s hands-free. Just lock the seal and walk away.
- The pasta’s starch mixes with the cooking liquid, creating its own magical sauce! After the 5-minute wait time, of course. (More on that later.)
- Less mess. Say goodbye to your pot of salted water. And that other pot of sauce. Oh, and that pasta strainer. This is one-pot cooking, people!
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Still with me? Good. Here are a few tips on how to cook pasta in your Instant Pot.
Generally speaking, use a 5:1 ratio. For every pound of pasta, use roughly 5 cups of liquid. This includes water, broth, wine, or even crushed tomatoes. Liquid amounts vary due to the pasta’s shape and whether or not you’re using whole wheat pasta.
Cook time under pressure will vary. Again this depends on your pasta shape. The cook time under pressure takes anywhere from 2 to 6 minutes. Just be sure to read the recipe. We’ve done the leg work for you!
Don’t forget that magic 5-minute wait time. This is that ah-ha moment. Once cooked, let the pasta sit partially covered for an additional 5 minutes. It might look a bit watery at first, but after 5 minutes, you’ll be wowed. The pasta starch and cooking liquid emulsifies and thickens, leaving you with perfectly sauced pasta.