Instant Pot Pasta
Learn how to cook pasta in the Instant Pot with the right water ratio and pressure cook time for spaghetti, penne, macaroni, rotini, rigatoni, and more.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of your choice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- water (just to cover pasta)
Instructions
- Add the pasta and water. Add 8 ounces of dry pasta to the Instant Pot, then pour in about 2 cups of water. The pasta should be barely covered; it's fine if a few pieces stick slightly above the water.
- Season. Season lightly with salt. Add a small drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
- Pressure cook. Lock the lid in place and select Pressure Cook/Manual on High Pressure. Use the cooking time that matches your pasta: angel hair, 1 minute; spaghetti, 2 minutes; fettuccine, linguine, rotini, or macaroni, 3 minutes; penne, ziti, or rigatoni, 4 minutes.
- Naturally release the pressure. When the cooking cycle ends, leave the pot sealed and allow the pressure to release naturally for 2 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure. Follow the pressure-release instructions for your specific Instant Pot model.
- Stir and serve. Carefully open the lid and stir the pasta well. If a little water remains, let the pasta sit for 1–2 minutes; the noodles and starch will usually absorb the extra moisture. Add your favorite sauce or use the pasta in another recipe.
Notes
- Water ratio: Start with about 2 cups water for 8 ounces pasta, 3 cups for 12 ounces, or 4 cups for 16 ounces. The pasta measurement is by weight; the water measurement is by volume.
- Don't overfill: Pasta expands and foams while cooking, so keep pasta and liquid below the ½-fill line.
- Cooking times are starting points. Pasta thickness varies by shape and brand, so start with the shorter time when you're unsure.
- For spaghetti and other long noodles: Break the noodles in half if needed and spread them around the pot in different directions instead of adding them in one tight bundle.
- Whole wheat pasta: I use the same starting times as traditional dry pasta.
- Gluten-free pasta: I prefer cooking gluten-free pasta on the stovetop because it can become mushy very quickly under pressure.
- Broth: Chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted for the water. Season lightly if your broth already contains salt.
- Larger batches: I cook up to 16 ounces at a time in my 6-quart Instant Pot, as long as the pasta and liquid remain below the ½-fill line.
- Follow this chart for estimated pasta cooking times:
Angel Hair 1 minute Standard Spaghetti 2 minutes Linguine/Fettuccine 3 minutes Rotini 3 minutes Macaroni 3 minutes Penne 4 minutes Ziti 4 minutes Rigatoni 4 minutes
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 7gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 585mgPotassium: 127mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
