How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot
- In the Instant Pot bowl, mix pasta and water (using the previously mentioned measurement). Stir everything together to slightly moisten the pasta.
- Seal and lock the lid.
- Pressure cook on high. (Use the chart above to determine the cook time. ).
- After five minutes of natural release (don’t leave it on for longer or the pasta might overcook), manually release any remaining pressure from the pasta.
- Make sure that all heating and warming functions are off by unplugging the machine.
- After opening the lid, thoroughly stir the pasta, about 20 to 30 times. Apply some force to ensure that the pasta is thoroughly combined with the minimal quantity of water left. (Note: The pasta may still have a few dry spots where it was sticking out of the water when you start stirring it.) Don’t worry; the pasta will continue to absorb the little liquid in the pot as you stir and allow it to steam in the following step. ).
- Put the lid back on (do not lock it; just place it on top) and let the pasta sit for an additional five to ten minutes. (Note: This is the most crucial step because the pasta will continue to absorb any liquid that is left and cook for a little while longer in the machine’s residual heat.) The secret to cooked but not overcooked pasta is this. ).
- Serve!
Why Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot
There are three justifications for using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker to cook pasta.
- It’s a true one pot dish. Pasta will absorb all of the water while cooking, so there’s no need to strain it after it’s done.
- Set it and forget it. It’s not necessary to watch the pot to make sure it doesn’t boil over. Just turn the machine on and walk away.
- Preserve the starch: Since the pasta isn’t strained, all of its natural starch remains in the pot and acts as a natural thickener for any sauce that is added, such as creamy cheesy sauce or marinara sauce (like in Instant Pot Mac and Cheese).
Whole Wheat / Alternative Pasta
No modifications to the recipe are required if you use whole wheat or another type of pasta. Any kind of pasta can be cooked using this method because it is based on the suggested cook time on the package.
We used a variety of whole wheat pasta and a variety of alternative pasta (black bean, lentil, and chickpea pasta) to test this method.
