1. Can I use ground beef instead of turkey in Instant Pot pasta recipes?

Absolutely. Ground beef is a great swap for turkey in Instant Pot pasta recipes. Just brown it using the sauté function before adding the other ingredients. Drain excess fat if desired before proceeding.

2. Are there good Instant Pot pasta recipes that are vegetarian?

Yes! You can skip the meat entirely and use ingredients like mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or beans. Add extra flavor with herbs and finish with cheese or a vegan alternative.

3. What’s the easiest Instant Pot pasta recipe for beginners?

Start with a simple version using penne, marinara, and a protein like turkey or sausage. Sauté, add water and sauce (without stirring), then pressure cook for half the box time. That’s it!

4. Can I make Instant Pot pasta with chicken instead of beef or turkey?

Yes, diced or shredded chicken works well. Cook raw chicken during the sauté step, or stir in cooked chicken after pressure cooking to keep it tender and moist.

5. Are there any Indian-style Instant Pot pasta recipes?

Definitely! Try butter chicken pasta or a curry-spiced tomato sauce with turmeric, cumin, and garam masala. Add paneer, tofu, or chickpeas for a vegetarian twist.

Instant Pot Pasta Recipes – 5 Easy & Delicious Dinners

Description

Quick and comforting Instant Pot pasta made with ground turkey, marinara, and spinach — ready in 20 minutes and perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 pound ground turkey
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon lemon pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups water
12 ounces penne pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
2–3 large handfuls fresh spinach
Juice of 1 lemon
Parmesan cheese, to taste

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Instructions

Press Sauté on your Instant Pot. Add olive oil and diced onion; cook for 1–2 minutes.
Add ground turkey, salt, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and lemon pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until browned. Stir in tomato paste.
Press Cancel. Add water and uncooked pasta; stir to combine.
Pour marinara sauce on top — do not stir.
Secure lid, turn the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 5–6 minutes (half the time listed on your pasta box).
Quick release the pressure.
Stir in fresh spinach and lemon juice.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve hot.

Notes

Substitute ground beef or chicken if preferred.
Add cream cheese for extra creaminess.
Stir in beans or chopped veggies for added protein and fiber.
To avoid burn warning: do not stir in the sauce before pressure cooking.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Instant Pot
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 440
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 65mg