Instant Pot Creamy Italian Pasta

Instant Pot Pasta is an easy one-pot family favorite recipe that comes together in minutes! The pasta cooks up perfectly in a creamy, cheesy, tomato sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the sauce as it cooks, making it one of the most flavorful, yet simple meals.

I have been asked by so many of you how to perfectly cook pasta in the Instant Pot Pasta and I gladly accepted the challenge.

After countless experiments, with endless varieties of pasta, with and without sauce, I am happy to report that I have perfected Instant Pot Pasta.

And this recipe for Instant Pot Creamy Italian Pasta knocks it out of the park in terms of flavor and ease!

It is creamy, it is cheesy, it is full of flavor. But most importantly, the pasta is cooked perfectly AND absorbs the sauce as it cooks, giving the pasta itself incredible flavor.

The flavors of this Instant Pot Pasta recipe are reminiscent of baked ziti, yet this recipe is easy enough for busy weeknights.  

Notes on Ingredients

• Pasta: I recommend using pasta that has ridges and can capture and hold the sauce, such as rigatoni, rotini, or ziti noodles.
• Broth: I highly recommend using either store-bought or homemade chicken stock or vegetable broth, or even Instant Pot Chicken stock, instead of water for this recipe. The noodles absorb the liquid as they cook, so by using stock, you are imparting more flavor to the pasta.
• Red Wine: Adding a dry red wine, like Cabernet, Pinot Noir, or Merlot, for a rich depth of flavor. If you do not drink alcohol, you can use additional broth in place of the wine.
• Marinara/Spaghetti Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade spaghetti sauce for this recipe. Using a marinara or spaghetti sauce imparts a lot more flavor to the dish as it pressure cooks.
• Diced Tomatoes: The diced tomatoes add needed liquid and a nice texture to the pasta. Use petite or regular canned diced tomatoes.
• Seasonings: To really amp up the flavor in the pasta, I add minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Feel free to omit the crushed red pepper flakes to control the level of heat.
• Ricotta: Use whole milk or skim ricotta cheese, for a creamy rich Instant Pot Pasta.
• Cheese: After pressure cooking, I love to finish the Instant Pot Pasta with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan will add better flavor than using a canister or pre-shredded parmesan.

How to Make Instant Pot Creamy Italian Pasta

As I stated earlier, this recipe is a super easy, dump-and-go recipe. But the way we layer the ingredients is key to the pasta cooking perfectly and avoiding a burn notice.

• Pour the broth and wine, if using, into the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
• Add in the minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
• Add in the pasta of your choice and gently spread out the pasta so that it is evenly dispersed in the inner pot.
• Add the diced tomatoes on top of the pasta.

• Top with the spaghetti sauce and then spread to cover evenly over the pasta.
• To make the pasta creamy and rich, like lasagna, dollop the ricotta cheese over the tomato sauce. Do not stir!

• Place the lid on the inner pot and be sure the vent knob is sealed.
• Set the cooking time for HALF the suggested cooking time on the box of pasta you used. See the chart below for the exact cooking times.
• Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release for 5 minutes. Then do a quick release of any remaining pressure.
• Open up the Instant Pot and do not be alarmed by the look of the contents of your inner pot--it won't look pretty, but you will see it will come together with a good stir!

• Give the pasta a stir to evenly combine the ricotta into the cooked pasta.
• Sprinkle the cheese over the pasta and place the lid on the Instant Pot for 2-3 minutes, just to melt the cheese if desired.

• Serve immediately with additional cheese if desired and garlic toast, if you are so inclined.

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Instant Pot Pasta

• Layer the ingredients as the recipe card directs. This is critical to ensure the pasta cooks perfectly without causing a burn notice.
• Set the cooking time for HALF the shortest time suggested on the box of pasta for boiling the pasta.
• Let the pressure release for exactly 5 minutes.
• This is one time not to let your Instant Pot sit on keep warm after you release pressure, as the pasta can become soggy and dry out quickly.

Recipe Modifications

• Dairy-Free Instant Pot Pasta: Omit the ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese from this recipe. It will still be delicious!
• Using Gluten-Free Pasta: I have ONLY had success using the Barilla brand of gluten-free pasta in the Instant Pot. It seems to be the only one that doesn't give off excess starch.
• Adding Meat: If you would like to add ground beef or ground Italian sausage to this recipe, saute the meat until browned using the saute function. Once the meat is browned, remove the meat from the inner pot, add in the broth and scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the inner pot really well. Layer the pasta, cooked meat, diced tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, and ricotta cheese in that order in the inner pot and proceed with the recipe.

Storage

If you happen to have leftover pasta, store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can freeze the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

To reheat, allow the pasta to defrost in the refrigerator overnight if needed. Place in a heat-safe bowl with a tablespoon or two of water or stock, cover with a moistened paper towel, and heat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.

More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes

• Instant Pot Spaghetti
• Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
• Instant Pot Lasagna
• Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo

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If you tried this Creamy Italian Instant Pot Pasta, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

This post was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2022 with a new video and photos.