Pasta doesn’t always need to be cooked in a pot to taste great. If you need a pasta recipe that’s quick on cooking time, pasta can be made in a single pot, instant pot, or in a pressure cooker. All three methods will give you a flavorful dish. Plus, clean-up is effortless and simple, allowing you to do more enjoyable activities.
We will show you two different types of pasta pots that will make your life a great deal easier. They are:
One Pot Pasta
You have had a long, hard, busy day, and the last thing you want to do is cook a meal. A one-pot recipe is a great way to create a delicious meal in less time and have less clean-up afterward. It’s a bit more elevated than plain pasta, and this recipe makes for a great main dish. This satisfying pasta dish is quick on cook time and full of healthy vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. dry pasta (can use regular or gluten-free)
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 8 oz. of cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half
- ½ thinly sliced yellow onion
- 3 oz. sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 chopped and quartered small zucchini
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 ¼ cup pasta sauce
- 3 oz fresh spinach
- 2 ½ cups of water
Directions:
To successfully make this dish, the dry pasta needs to be cooked with the right amount of water to properly cook. If the right amount is used, there should be no extra liquid left behind.
- Place uncooked pasta into a large pot. Add remaining ingredients except the spinach to the mixture. Mix it thoroughly.
- Bring your pot to a boil using high heat.
- After it boils, reduce to medium-low heat. Cook pasta for 10-14 minutes until it is al-dente. Stir every two minutes to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom.
- Turn off the heat and fold your spinach into the pasta. Once spinach has wilted, divide your pasta in serving bowls. Top it with your favorite flavors and shredded cheese for that extra zing.
While this recipe is best served fresh, leftovers will last five days in the fridge.
Instant Pot Pasta
Don’t know what to make and don’t have time to run out to the grocery store? This easy, flavorful meal can be done in half an hour, and most of the ingredients can be found in your pantry. It is budget-friendly and definitely child-approved!
Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
Before getting started, there are a few things to note. The penne pasta should be fully submerged into the sauce prior to pressure cooking. For a fast one-pot meal, dump all your ingredients into the pot and eliminate the steps for browning. Add penne pasta and tomato paste at the end, then begin the pressure-cooking cycle.
Add a bit of salt to bring out the flavors of the dish. This will balance it out. If you are afraid of scorching the meal, don’t mix the tomato paste. Simply put it on top of your pasta.
Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- ½ lb ground beef
- 1 lb penne rigate pasta
- 3 cloves of minced garlic
- 12 sliced white mushrooms
- 1 rib of chopped celery
- 1 sliced small onion
- 1 pinch of dried oregano
- A dash of sherry wine
- 1 pinch of dried basil
- Kosher salt/black pepper for flavor
Umami Pasta Sauce:
- 1 cup unsalted chicken stock
- 156 ml can of tomato paste
- 2 tbsp regular soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 cups of cold water
Directions:
- Brown the ground beef by heating up the pressure cooker (sauté for the Instant Pot then adjust to sauté more). The pot should be as hot as it is able to be (wait until the indicator reads hot).
- Add 1 tbsp olive oil into the pot. Coat the entire bottom of the pot with oil, then add 1/2-pound ground beef and season it with pepper and kosher salt. The juices from the meat will come out of the ground beef. Allow the moisture to evaporate. The browning will occur from the maillard reaction.
- Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to the pot, then add sauteed sliced onion, a bit of kosher salt and pepper, and stir until everything is slightly browned. Add minced garlic, then stir for 30 seconds. Put in sliced mushrooms, celery, dried basil, and dried oregano. Cook for an additional minute.
- Take your sherry wine and pour in just a dash into the mixture. Deglaze the bottom of your pot using a wooden spoon.
- Add your browned ground beef, unsalted chicken stock, regular soy sauce, water, fish sauce and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Mix all ingredients together.
- Place 450g of penne pasta into your sauce. Put the tomato paste over top of the pasta.
- With your venting knob in the venting position, close your lid. Turn the venting knob to sealing position. Pressure cook this meal at high temperature for four minutes. Then wait five minutes before engaging in a quick release. Open your lid slowly.
- Stir the dish and blend everything together prior to serving.
For a faster meal, simply place everything in the pot. It may not be as flavorful, but it will be quicker. Add tomato paste and penne pasta at the end. Begin the cooking cycle immediately. Add in parmesan cheese at the end for extra flavor.
Pasta Pot
Pasta pots are a great way to avoid losing your noodles down the drain while straining. They fit long pasta strands and hold lots of cooking water. They are available in different variations ranging from perforated inserts which allow you to lift them out to strain pasta, to holes found in the lid to be used for straining, to mesh baskets that lift out.
Best Overall: All-Clad 6-Quart Pasta Pot
This is a three-piece set crafted from heavyweight stainless steel. This material won’t react with ingredients that are acidic (tomato sauce) which may make food taste metallic. The base is created from aluminum, which gives even heat distribution, and it comes with a four-quart strainer insert. Pasta can be easily lifted out of the pot once cooked.
Pros:
- Large loop handles lift pasta out easily
- Base is resistant to warping
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Pot strainer sits higher over other models
- May be difficult to find the maximum fill line
Best Runner Up: Bialetti Oval 5.5 Quart Pot
The Bialetti pasta pot is made of even-heating aluminum. The twist-and-lock lid makes straining easy. It accommodates noodles without breaking them, and the non-stick interior makes cleaning simple.
Pros:
- Good for all types and shapes of pasta
- Safer to drain water
- Handles stay cool when draining and have a good grip
Cons:
- Lids don’t always fit properly
- Lid may warp
FAQ
How to cook pasta in an Instant Pot?
Most pasta is cooked by putting in the ingredients first, then adding the pasta and sauce at the end. This is the quickest way to accomplish the task, but you do lose flavor this way. The tip to doing this successfully is to fully submerge the pasta in the sauce.
How long does it take to cook pasta in an Instant Pot?
About half an hour if you have added ingredients. Eight minutes for al dente pasta in just a meat sauce.
How do you cook pasta in a crock pot?
Keep in mind that pasta types and recipes are different. The cooking time depends on the type of pasta for a Crock-Pot. To make it in a Crock-Pot, pasta can be added raw (no rinsing or cooking required). Follow the recipe instructions for the best texture and be familiar with your pasta type.
Check the pasta to see if it is done to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Pasta can be cooked easily and quickly using a variety of methods. By using a single pot, Instant Pot, or Crock-Pot, you can save on time by simply adding in your ingredients and cooking. Making this kind of meal isn’t time-consuming, and you end up with a very satisfying dinner that the entire family will enjoy.
