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This Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo recipe delivers restaurant-quality results but is completely doable on the busiest of nights. No sautéing. No juggling multiple pots. Simply layer the ingredients, set the cook time, and in under 30 minutes you will be enjoying perfectly cooked fettuccine noodles in a rich and creamy alfredo sauce.
Looking for more easy all-in-one Instant Pot Dinner recipes? Don't miss Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole, Instant Pot Burrito Bowl, and Instant Pot Hamburger Helper.
Kristen's Keys for Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo (Start Here)
Before you reach for your Instant Pot, pay attention to these tips. They will help to ensure you have perfect results.
- Criss-cross noodles. The #1 key to the fettuccine cooking evenly and not ending up stuck together is to be sure the noodles are layered in a criss-cross fashion.
- Heavy cream is non-negotiable. Milk or half-and-half can curdle under pressure. Heavy cream stays smooth and gives you that classic Alfredo texture and rich finish.
- Use exact timing. I have experimented dozens and dozens of times to perfect cooking pasta in the Instant Pot. The formula I have landed on for fettuccine is to cook for 6 minutes on high pressure followed by EXACTLY 5 minutes of natural pressure release.
5-Star REader REview
This is delicious and easy! I'm still learning how to use my instant pot and this recipe encourages me to explore more recipes. I served the pasta with your great roasted asparagus recipe. Delightful 😌 -Dianna
How to Make Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
This recipe for Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo is the dump-and-go kind of easy recipe we all need. But regardless if you are a seasoned pro or are just learning how to use the Instant Pot, this section walks you through the process, with a few tips along the way.
Step One: Layer Ingredients
Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the inner pot and season with salt, pepper, and garlic. Break the noodles in half and layer them into the broth, criss-crossing each layer. Top with butter and finally, pour in the cream. Do not deviate from this order or stir before pressure cooking.
Step Two: Pressure Cook
Place the lid on the inner pot and seal the vent knob. Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. After the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for exactly 5 minutes.
Once 5 minutes has elapsed (your Instant Pot should read L0:05), do a controlled release of pressure so that the heavy cream doesn't spew out the vent knob. That simply means to carefully knock the venting knob from the sealed to venting position SLOWLY. I move it a bit, then after 30 seconds or so, knock it a bit further, and repeat 2-3 times until pressure is fully released.
Don't be alarmed when you open the inner pot. It will look like a lot of excess liquid, but that is okay. Those noodles will absorb some of the sauce after we add the parmesan and give it all a good stir.
Step Three: Add Parmesan
Add in the parmesan cheese and give everything a good stir, then place the lid back on the inner pot and let the pasta sit for a minute or two. This will allow the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Then dish up the easiest, most decadent version of Fettuccine Alfredo you have ever enjoyed. You will never open another jar again (this is easier and so much tastier!)
Recipe FAQs
If using a 6 or 8-quart model you can double the recipe. Double the ingredients, layer as directed, and keep the cook time the same. It will take a bit longer to come to pressure, but everything will cook beautifully, even when doubled.
Only if using a 3-quart Instant Pot. Cut the ingredients in half and leave the cook time the same.
Yes! Top the layered pasta with chicken tenders, chicken breasts cut into 2-inch strips, or thin chicken cutlets. Season with salt and pepper, then top with butter and heavy cream as recipe directs. Pressure cook as directed, then remove chicken from inner pot. Dice into bite-sized pieces, then stir into the noodles along with the parmesan before serving.
Using pre-grated parmesan will not melt as smoothly, causing your sauce to be a bit grainy. That said, if that is all you have on hand, it will still TASTE delicious.
More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces fettuccine noodles, broken in half
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
- 1 cup heavy cream, NO SUBSTITUTIONS
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper together in inner pot.
- Layer 8 ounces fettuccine noodles (broken in half) in the broth in layers, criss-crossing the direction of the noodles for each layer. This will help prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Top with 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (cubed), then pour 1 cup heavy cream over the noodles. DO NOT STIR!
- Place the lid on the inner pot and be sure the vent knob is sealed. Set to cook on high pressure for 6 minutes by hitting the manual or pressure cook button and use the +/- buttons to adjust until it reads "6."
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally on its own for exactly 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, use a long wooden spoon to knock the vent knob from the sealed to the venting position. I find that it is best to do a controlled pressure release, which means to slowly turn the vent knob from the sealed to the venting position to release the steam. This will help prevent starchy liquid from spewing out of the venting knob.
- Open up the Instant Pot and stir the noodles into the sauce. It is okay that there is extra liquid, the noodles will absorb as they sit. Stir ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, pop the lid back on the inner pot, and let the fettuccine alfredo sit for a couple of minutes to allow the cheese to melt into the sauce.
- Serve with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally shared in 2022 and updated in 2026.
This recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo is excellent and it really works! People cam back for seconds! I've tried recipes from other sites and ended up with various failures, but this one gave me a thick sauce that clung to the pasta. Nice! Doing a "controlled pressure release" is a little tricky with an Instant Pot Duo Plus, though. It isn't a valve you turn - it's more like a two-position switch with an On and an Off position. I put a towel over the pressure escape vent and managed to hold the switch partially open while it depressurized and there was no mess at all.
Hi John! I am so thrilled you enjoyed this Fettuccine so much! And you are correct, the Duo is a bit harder to do a controlled pressure release--and like you have to hold the switch partially opened. The towel is a great backup solution as well! Thanks for sharing.
How can I add thawed shrimp to this recipe?
Hi Sandy! For the best results, I would saute the shrimp separately and add right before serving. That way the shrimp won't be overcooked or rubbery.
Kristen,
I have used this recipe many times with adding chicken and mushrooms to it. Once again it is on the menu this week and I have some Smokey gruyere cheese on hand. I was planning on adding it after everything is cooked to thicken up the sauce. What do you think? Thank you so much! Your recipes are always amazing. Blessings, Jennifer
Hi Jennifer! Thank you for sharing. I love hearing you enjoy this recipe so much. As for the smokey gruyere, I haven't tried it, but I think it would be delicious! It may just be a bit less creamy and more cheesy, as the gruyere will melt well but will be a bit thicker than parmesan. 🙂
I am trying it now! I will let you know how it turns out. I actually doubled the recipe since the kids are home from college. Blessings, Jennifer
It is the best having the kids home! Enjoy dinner and your time together.
Kristen, what sized IP are you using to determine the pressure build up and release times?
Release time for this recipe is set regardless of your Instant Pot. For build-up I typically use a 6-quart but test all my recipes in both models if there is a big discrepancy, I will note it.
Delicious…been making it this way for years!
Real butter
Real heavy cream
Real shaved Parmesan
Fresh garlic (not jarlic)
I agree…don’t use substitutes for the above.
I grill my chicken (and sometimes shrimp) and serve beside the pasta.
Thrilled you enjoy this recipe 🙂
It was good but had a bit too much liquid. Do you think if the heavy cream was reduced to 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup that it could still work? I did let it sit for a few minutes and measured the broth and pasta accurately and it still have too much liquid. It was wonderful served with your baked salmon and roasted asparagus.
Hi Sharon! I am happy to hear you enjoyed the asparagus, salmon, and pasta 🙂 As for the liquid, yes, you can reduce to 3/4 cup if desired.
Can this recipe be doubled? Same cooking time required?
Hi Lori! This recipe doubles really well. Enjoy.