Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Quick & Easy Instant Pot Pasta with a Rich Garlic Parmesan Sauce, perfect for a fast and delicious meal.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
Aromatics
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion finely diced
Liquid & Seasonings
- 2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for a lighter version
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional for spice
Finishing Touches
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup baby spinach optional for added greens
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil, then sauté garlic and onions for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Turn off Sauté mode. Add uncooked pasta, broth, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Do not stir—just gently press pasta down to submerge.
- Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual (Pressure Cook) mode on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Once done, carefully perform a quick release to prevent overcooking. Stir the pasta to loosen any sticking.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and butter until melted and creamy. If using spinach, add now and stir until wilted.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve warm with garlic bread or a side salad.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.