What’s the best way to cook noodles in a pressure cooker?
Heres the best method:
- Cook the noodles for a brief period of time (the exact amount of time depends on the type of noodle).
- Use a quick release
- Stir the noodles well
- As the noodles absorb any remaining liquid in the pot and finish cooking in the residual heat, let them rest.
The amount of time the pasta needs to rest can range from a few minutes to up to ten minutes, depending on the type of noodle.
This method reduces the likelihood of the noodles becoming mushy and gives you a great deal of control. When the noodles are the ideal texture, move them to a serving dish.
Pro Tip: Generally speaking, you can estimate the cooking time for Instant Pot pasta by halving the cooking time listed on the package and deducting two minutes. This is a general guideline that, while not always perfect, generally works well.
These are some of our best-loved pressure cooker pasta recipes.
Instructions and cooking time
Egg noodles cook very quickly in a pressure cooker. The biggest risk is overcooking the noodles to the point of mushiness or extreme softness.
I’ve figured out the best method for making Instant Pot egg noodles after preparing numerous batches of noodles.
- Combine the water and salt in the Instant Pot.
- Add egg noodles. Even though the noodles aren’t completely submerged in water, gently mix until they’re all moist.
- Two minutes of high pressure cooking followed by a rapid release Cook the noodles for one minute on high pressure with a quick release if you like your noodles really al dente.
- After the quick pressure release, stir the noodles.
- Replace the pot’s lid and let the noodles rest for a few minutes if they’re not as soft as you’d like. They will continue to soften in the residual heat. As they absorb any remaining water in the pot, they will also become softer. After a few minutes, stir and taste again.
- When the egg noodles are cooked to your desired consistency, garnish with a pat of butter. As soon as possible, take the egg noodles out of the hot pressure cooker and place them on a platter.
Water to noodle ratio
Depending on the recipe, the amount of water used to cook Instant Pot noodles can change. However, generally speaking, use two cups of water for every eight ounces of noodles.
This wont be enough water to completely cover the noodles. That’s alright! Too much water in the pot would negate the entire purpose of cooking pasta in a pressure cooker.
A pressure cooker’s function is to facilitate pasta’s absorption of the starchy, salty water it cooks in. This adds taste to the pasta and aids in the sauce sticking to the noodles.
