Made with Italian sausage, seasoned tomatoes, fresh spinach, and perfectly cooked rigatoni, this recipe for Instant Pot Rigatoni is one of the easiest, most flavorful, all-in-one Instant Pot recipes.
When it comes to pasta, I have a serious love affair. From Baked Rotini to Homemade Lasagna to Stuffed Shells, I simply love pasta.
But pasta in the Instant Pot?
Yes! I perfected making pasta in the Instant Pot using my recipe for Instant Pot Ziti, making it possible to enjoy recipes like this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, Instant Pot Spaghetti, Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo, and this Instant Pot Rigatoni with Sausage with success!
Reasons to Love Instant Pot Rigatoni
- Insanely Flavorful. The rigatoni is pressure-cooked in a rich and boldly seasoned sausage and tomato sauce, which allows the noodles to soak up the flavors of the sauce and become irresistibly good.
- Perfect Results. Not only is this pasta recipe mouth-wateringly delicious but by using my perfected cooking times for Instant Pot Pasta, the noodles are cooked to al dente perfection.
- One-Pot Easy Weeknight Dinner. Everything cooks up in the Instant Pot to deliver a simple meal that will be on your table in about 30 minutes. Perfect for any night of the week.
- Versatile Recipe. I have provided a lot of variations on the ingredients used so that you can make this dish using what you have on hand or enjoy.
Notes on Key Ingredients
- Sausage: Use your favorite turkey, chicken, or pork ground Italian sausage for this recipe. You can even use sliced precooked Italian chicken sausage, like al fresco or aidells.
- Aromatics: Sauteeing a yellow onion and garlic along with the sausage to further flavor this simple, yet rich pasta sauce.
- White Wine: While you can use either a dry red wine or a dry white wine for this sausage pasta, I highly recommend using a dry white wine, rather than a dry red wine as I do in my Instant Pot Lasagna Soup. The white wine brightens up the dish and contrasts well with the Italian sausage. Any dry white wine, like a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, that is suitable for cooking will work.
- Chicken Stock: Use your favorite low-sodium store-bought or homemade chicken stock or Instant Pot chicken stock.
- Seasonings: Because this dish is seasoned heavily with Italian sausage and seasoned tomatoes, it only needs Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to perfectly season this pasta with sausage.
- Pasta: You want to select pasta that cooks between 10-12 minutes on the stove and that can easily adhere to the sauce. While I often opt for rigatoni in this recipe, medium shells, corkscrew noodles, ziti, or bow-tie noodles are all suitable for this recipe.
- Spinach: Adding fresh baby spinach to the rigatoni after pressure cooking the pasta is an optional addition, but it is an effortless way to add greens to dinner.
- Parmesan Cheese: Add grated parmesan cheese for the perfect finishing touch.
Substitutions/Modifications
- Omit the Wine. Simply use additional chicken stock in place of the wine.
- No Italian-Seasoned Tomatoes? If you only have regular diced tomatoes, use an additional 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to season the pasta before pressure cooking.
- Gluten-Free Option: I have ONLY had success using the Barilla brand of gluten-free pasta in the Instant Pot. Other brands give off way too much starch.
- Control the Spice. Feel free to omit the crushed red pepper flakes to control the level of heat.
- Dairy-Free Option: Omit the parmesan cheese and ensure your brand of sausage is dairy-free. Some brands of Italian sausage have added cheese.
- Cheesy Sausage Pasta: Add up to 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese to the pressure-cooked pasta when adding the spinach for a cheesy finish.
How to Make the Best Instant Pot Rigatoni
The following steps and tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post or follow along as I make this dish in the video below.
Step One: Saute the Sausage. Start this recipe by browning the sausage, along with the onion, using the saute function. Once the sausage has been fully cooked and crumbled, drain off any excess grease if needed.
Step Two: Deglaze the Inner Pot. Any time you saute something in your pressure cooker, you want to add a thin liquid and scrape up any browned bits from the inner pot. This will add flavor to the pasta and prevent a burn notice from happening. For this recipe, add in the dry white wine and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits off the inner pot, while the wine simmers and reduces.
Step Three: Layer Ingredients. How you layer the ingredients is crucial to the results. Once the wine has simmered and reduced, turn off the saute function. Add in the chicken stock and seasonings and stir to evenly combine. Add the noodles, gently pushing them into the broth until they are submerged. Finally, top with the diced tomatoes. Do NOT stir!
Step Four: Pressure Cook. For the best results, follow the timing with precision. You should cook this Instant Pot Rigatoni for half the cooking time suggested on the box. Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release for 5 minutes. Then do a quick release of any remaining pressure.
Step Five: Add Spinach and Cheese. To finish this rigatoni, add fresh spinach and parmesan cheese and stir everything together. Let sit for a minute or two to let the spinach wilt.
Serving Suggestions
I highly recommend serving Instant Pot Rigatoni just as you would serve Baked Ravioli or Crockpot Ziti, with a side of garlic toast to soak up the delicious sauce. And because you will likely have leftover spinach, what better excuse than to round out dinner with a Spinach Bacon Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, or Spinach Avocado Salad.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Allow the pasta to cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Allow the pasta to cool fully. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Allow the pasta to defrost in the refrigerator overnight if needed. Place the pasta in a heat-safe bowl. Add a tablespoon or two of water or stock if the pasta looks dried out. 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 Perfect Pasta Recipes
- Instant Pot Ham and Cheese Pasta
- Instant Pot Pasta Fagioli
- Instant Pot Lasagna
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta
- Instant Pot Minestrone
- Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
If you tried this Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Instant Pot Rigatoni with Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage pork, turkey, or chicken
- 1 small yellow onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup dry white wine or additional chicken stock
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 16 ounces dried rigatoni noodles
- 2 (15oz cans) diced Italian tomatoes undrained
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan optional
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to Saute. Add oil and let heat briefly. Once heated add in the sausage and onion. Saute the sausage and onion, breaking up the sausage into small pieces, until the sausage is fully browned and the onions have softened. Add garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, just to toast the garlic. If needed, drain off any excess fat at this point and then return the inner pot to the pressure cooker.
- Add in the dry white wine and let bubble for a minute or two, while scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot. Hit cancel to turn off the saute function.
- Add chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Add the noodles, gently submerging them into the liquid. Add the tomatoes on top of the pasta and don’t stir.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, and set it to cook for 6 minutes on high pressure using the pressure cook or manual button.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to naturally release for exactly 5 minutes. After 5 minutes do a quick release of any remaining pressure by knocking the vent knob from the sealed to the venting position.
- Open up the inner pot, add in the spinach and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, and gently stir to combine. Place the lid back on the inner pot for 2-3 minutes, just to let the spinach wilt.
- Serve with additional parmesan cheese.
Maggie
I love having recipes I get on the table fast, especially ones my kids are willing to eat. This brought happy smiles around the dinner table this week.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that, Maggie! Thanks for sharing!
Aimee
This Rigatoni is now a family favorite! I use ground turkey sausage for a healthier twist, and the combination of flavors with tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan is simply delicious.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for sharing, Aimee! Love hearing you enjoyed!
Jerri
Made this twice this week, it was so good. I never knew rigatoni could be so easy and the instant pot gets in on the table in no time at all. Love this recipe.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing you enjoyed this twice in one week! Thank you so much for sharing your review.
Deb
I have added this easy pasta to my weeknight meal rotation. It's super easy, always a hit and cuts down on dishes and cleanup, what's not to love?
Kristen Chidsey
Love hearing this! We have been enjoying it on repeat ourselves!
Barb
Made for dinner last night. Hubby starting eating before me. He took a few bites and said, "You can make this again!" Was super delicious. Thank you Kristen.
Kristen Chidsey
LOL! I absolutely LOVE hearing this, Barb! Thank you so much for sharing.
Krissy
Made this for the family last night and everyone loved it! The flavors were fantastic.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for sharing! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed!
Sharon
This is such a keeper! A great weeknight meal! Super delicious and hearty!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for sharing you enjoyed, Sharon! I love hearing that and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.