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  • How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot

    How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot

    Use these easy step-by-step instructions to cook perfectly al dente pasta.

    This recipe was tested in the 6-quart Instant Pot. (When this method was tested in an 8-quart Instant Pot the results were not consistent.)

    Prep: 5 minutes mins

    Cook: 20 minutes mins

    Servings: 4

    Cook Mode

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    Equipment

    • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients 

    • 8 oz Pasta, any type or shape
    • 2 cups Water
    • 1/2 tsp Salt

    Instructions 

    • First, determine the cook time for the pasta you are using. See the notes below to determine the right time.
    • Combine pasta, water, and salt in the bowl of an Instant Pot. Give everything a stir. (See note below if cooking long, straight pasta like spaghetti, fettuccini, or linguini.)
    • Close and lock the lid.
    • Set the vent to “Sealing”.
    • Pressure cook on high for the time determined in Step #1.
    • Leave the pasta on natural release for exactly 5 minutes. (Note: Be very careful not to let it sit for any longer or the pasta will overcook.)
    • Use manual release to release any remaining pressure. (Note: Hot and starchy pasta water may spray out of the pressure valve when you release it. Cover the valve with a dish towel as it releases to keep this contained and minimize the mess.)
    • Open the lid and give the pasta a good stir, 20 to 30 times. (This will get rid of any dry spots that remained where the pasta was sticking out of the water during cooking. If adding sauce, stir it in at this point.)
    • Return the lid to the top of the pressure cooker (no need to lock it just set it on top) and leave the pasta for 5-10 minutes more. (Note: This step is the most important because the pasta will continue to absorb any remaining liquid and continue to cook just a bit in the residual heat of the machine. This is the key to pasta that is cooked, but not overcooked.)
    • Serve!

    Notes

    Find the lowest recommended cook time on the pasta box or bag. (If a range is given, use the lowest number in the range. So if the range is 9 to 11 minutes, use 10 minutes. If only one time is given and it’s odd, round down. So 7 minutes becomes 6.) Then use this chart to determine how long to pressure cook on high.

    pasta in the instant pot

    **0 is a real setting on the pressure cooker / instant pot. For small pasta shapes with a short recommended cook time, set the timer to zero minutes. The pressure cooker will fully pressurize but won’t hold for any amount of time.

    Spaghetti, Fettuccini, or Linguini – Long straight pasta shapes like these (and angel hair, bucatini, etc.) need to be treated a bit differently than other pasta shapes.

    1. Break the pasta strands in half before adding them to the Instant Pot so that they can easily be submerged in water.
    2. Pour enough water into the Instant Pot to completely cover the pasta (note: there is no set amount, but only add water until every strand of pasta is submerged). Add salt. 
    3. Do not stir before cooking. (This will help prevent the pasta from sticking.) 
    4. Pressure cook pasta according to the time on the chart. 
    5. Leave pasta on natural release for 5 minutes and then release any remaining pressure.
    6. After cooking, stir the pasta well to loosen any strands that are stuck together.
    7. Drain well. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    https://inquiringchef.com/how-to-cook-pasta-in-the-instant-pot
  • Instant Pot Chuck Roast

    Instant Pot Chuck Roast

    This Instant Pot Chuck Roast is a game-changer! Pressure cooking makes an incredibly tender and flavorful chuck roast recipe that is comfort food at its best. It’s easy to prepare and ready in just over an hour – so it’s perfect for Sunday dinner or even the holidays!

    Ingredients  

    Chuck Roast in the Instant Pot

    • It’s quick and easy to make without compromising on flavor. Your average pot roast might take hours to cook in the oven or slow cooker – Instant Pot Pot Roast takes under 2 hours with minimal prep.
    • The ingredients are simple – you don’t need anything fancy to make this pot roast. It’s a classic pot roast recipe everyone will love, made easy.
    • It’s budget-friendly. Chuck roast is an inexpensive cut of beef, so it’s perfect for making an economical pot roast for a party or even the holidays.
    instant pot chuck roast up close on a plate with potatoes and carrots in front of two bowls of green beans and mashed potatoes

    Instant Pot Beef Roast Ingredients

    • Boneless chuck roast, cut into halves
    • Vegetable oil
    • Garlic
    • Onion
    • Red wine
    • Beef broth
    • Tomato sauce
    • Kosher or sea salt
    • Pepper
    • Fresh thyme
    • Fresh rosemary
    • Corn starch
    ingredients to make instant pot chuck roast labeled in bowls

    Chuck Roast Instant Pot Recipe

    1. Generously season all sides of your roast with salt and pepper. Set Instant Pot onto sauté mode.
    2. Once the Instant Pot is hot, add in half of your vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add your roast.
    3. Sear for 4 minutes on the first side, then flip and sear the opposite side for 4 minutes. Remove roast and set aside.
      cooking instant pot chuck roast
    4. Add the remaining vegetable oil to the pot, along with diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
    5. When soft and fragrant, add in red wine and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the wine reduces to half.
    6. Add in half of your beef broth, tomato sauce, dried thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and give it a good mix. Carefully add your roast back into the pot along with carrots and potatoes. 
      chuck roast in instant pot with potatoes and carrots
    7. Secure the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook on high for 70 minutes. Once 70 minutes is up, let your Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 20 minutes.
    8. After 20 minutes, you can release any excess steam. Remove the meat from the pot and set it aside. 
      Instant pot pot roast meat on a cutting board
    9. In a small bowl combine cornstarch and beef broth. Slowly add the mixture into the Instant Pot with the drippings from the beef. Stir until the mixture thickens.
    10. Serve gravy over your pot roast, and enjoy!
    instant pot chuck roast up close on a plate with potatoes and carrots in front of two bowls of green beans and mashed potatoes

    Chuck Roast in the Instant Pot Tips

    • It’s important to let the pressure release naturally, so leave it for another 20 minutes after cooking.
    • Feel free to release the vent after 20 minutes. This will release any extra steam and allow you to open the lid.
    • Cutting the roast into halves helps cut down on the cooking time in the pressure cooker and allows you to distribute the seasoning more evenly, giving you a more flavorful dish.
    • Discover more ways to cook chuck roast with our Best Beef Chuck Roast Recipes!

    Instant Pot Chuck Roast FAQs

    How long to cook roast beef in the Instant Pot?

    Cook roast beef in the Instant Pot at approximately 20 minutes per pound, until it is fall-apart tender and easy to shred with a fork. Adjust according to the size of your roast.

    How do you thicken pot roast gravy in the instant pot?

    You can thicken pot roast gravy in the Instant Pot by using a slurry. One of the best ways to thicken a sauce is to simply make a mixture of liquid and cornstarch, also known as a cornstarch slurry. You can do this with water and cornstarch or broth and cornstarch.