Instant Pot Sausage Pasta: Delicious One-Pot Meal

My recipe for Instant Pot sausage pasta can easily become your go-to for a hearty, flavor-packed meal! With minimal preparation and just a few ingredients, you’re well on your way to enjoying a rich, savory, and meaty pasta. Best of all, the dish comes together in one pot – less mess, more deliciousness!  

I swear, the Instant Pot is a genius piece of equipment! It’s like having the power of several cooking devices (pressure cooker, steamer, and rice cooker) all in one nifty little pot! But if you’re at a loss on what to do with it, I’ve got just the recipe for you: this amazing and flavorful Instant Pot pasta sausage.

It’s one of those “blink and it’s gone” pasta dishes in my house – my family just can’t get enough of it! And, thanks to the Instant Pot, I don’t have to worry about mushy noodles or undercooked sausages, as the dish comes out perfect every time. You’ll save time and effort without sacrificing flavor or taste!    

So, are you ready to make the Instant Pot your new best friend in the kitchen? Let’s get cooking! 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients Needed For Instant Pot Sausage Recipe

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 8 oz ground sausage (pork, chicken, or turkey)
• 2 cups water
• 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce or 3 cups of your favorite pasta sauce
• 12 oz penne pasta (for a healthier option use brown rice penne pasta)
• spinach or basil, to garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions With Pictures

1. Press the Sauté function on the Instant Pot.

2. Add the olive oil and ground sausage.

3. Cook on Sauté mode for 5-7 minutes or until the sausage is cooked through.

4. Pour one cup of water into the Instant Pot and stir. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to prevent the burn notice.

5. Pour in the marinara sauce and mix well.

6. Add the uncooked penne pasta, pushing it down to tuck it into the sauce.

7. Pour the remaining cup of water into the Instant Pot on top of the pasta to cover it.

8. Secure the lid. Double-check to see that the pressure valve of the Instant Pot is set to sealing, not venting.

9. Press cancel to stop Sauté mode. Press manual/high pressure and set the timer for 8 minutes (it will take the Instant Pot 8-10 minutes to come to pressure). 

10. After 8 minutes and the beep sound, carefully quick-release the steam in the Instant Pot by switching the pressure valve to venting.

11. Once the floater valve has dropped, carefully open the lid and gently stir the pasta.

12. Transfer to a bowl.

13. Add spinach or basil as garnish if using. Serve and enjoy!

Tips For Penne Pasta Perfection

• Don’t Skip Sauté: This initial step helps build a rich flavor base, making your Instant Pot sausage pasta extra yummy. 
• Adjust As You Cook: If the sauce is too thick for your liking, add some water or chicken broth. If it’s too thin, let the dish sit for a couple of more minutes to thicken.
• Rest Before Serving: After cooking, let the pasta dish rest for about 5 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb all those beautiful flavors from the meat and the sauce.
• Break Them Up: As you’re sauteeing the sausage, use a spatula or wooden spoon to break any build-up of ground sausage into smaller bits. This will help them get evenly distributed throughout the dish. 
• Drizzle For Richness: Looking to make your pasta taste extra rich? Just drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on top before serving!

How To Serve Instant Pot Sausage And Pasta

Here are several serving suggestions to make this pot pasta recipe even more visually appealing:

• The Classic Pairing: Serve the pasta with warm garlic bread, sourdough, or dinner roll.
• Red and Green: Pair the dish with a crisp and light green salad for a refreshing contrast in colors and taste.
• Boost the Nutrients: Serve the pasta on a plate alongside roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus.
• Cheese To The Max: Sprinkle a generous amount of freshly grated cheese like Parmesan cheese or mozzarella on top before serving. 
• Protein Pros: Serve the pasta as a side dish to protein mains like chicken or shrimp.

Change Up This Instant Pot Pasta With Sausage

Up for playing with the flavors a bit? Below are some fun variation ideas of this Instant Pot pasta recipe you can try:

• Spice Things Up: Give the pasta some heat using spicy Italian sausage or sprinkling red pepper flakes on top before serving – or both!
• Cream Dream: To give your pasta sausage a luscious, creamy texture, add some heavy cream or coconut milk before pressure-cooking it.
• Garlic Delight: Sauté some minced garlic with the ground sausage to infuse it with bold, garlicky flavors.
• Sneak In The Veggies: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the ground sausage, or add chopped roasted red bell peppers to the dish for extra flavor.
• Make Gluten-Free and Vegan: Use plant-based sausage, vegan-friendly sauce and gluten-free pasta so even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy it.

Storage And Reheating

Store: Transfer the leftover sausage pasta into an airtight container to prevent absorption of odors, then keep it in the refrigerator. It’ll be good to eat for up to 4 days. 

Freeze: If freezing, keep the pasta in freezer-safe containers, then store them for up to 3 months. 

Reheat: This dish can be reheated in the oven, microwave, or stovetop. Add some water as you reheat the dish to prevent any dryness. If reheating frozen sausage pasta, let it thaw overnight in the fridge first. 

One Last Thing

Take advantage of having an Instant Pot by making this sausage pasta recipe! It’s quick and easy, and you can make delicious meals without breaking a sweat!

Serving it is a breeze as you can pair it up with bread, salads, or protein mains. And it’s endlessly customizable! Enjoy it spicy, with veggies, or even vegan-style – the choice is yours!  

One thing’s for sure: this Instant Pot Sausage Pasta is a dish the whole family can enjoy!

Your Turn

If you make this Instant Pot sausage pasta, please take a moment to let me know how you liked it by leaving a rating and a comment below on the recipe card. Follow me on Pinterest and Facebook for more easy and tasty recipes!

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