Ultimate Instant Pot Pizza Pasta

Transform your weeknight dinners with this incredibly easy Instant Pot Pizza Pasta recipe! This family-favorite dish combines all the beloved flavors of pizza with comforting pasta, cooked to perfection in your pressure cooker. It’s a true “dump-it-all-in” meal that allows you to effortlessly incorporate all your favorite pizza toppings, creating a fun, flavorful, and fuss-free dinner. Much like our pressure cooker pizza, this pasta twist delivers exceptional taste, often tasting even better the next day as leftovers.

We recently prepared this delightful Instant Pot pizza casserole in just about 10 minutes of active cooking time. It has quickly become one of our top Instant Pot recipes here at The Typical Mom! This dish is bursting with all the savory and cheesy flavors you’d expect from a classic pizza, but ingeniously replaces the traditional crust with tender, perfectly cooked noodles. The result is a hearty, satisfying meal that’s both comforting and exciting for all ages. (Please note: affiliate links may be present in this content).

Instant Pot Pizza Pasta: The Ultimate Family Meal

This pizza pasta dish offers a dynamic and enjoyable meal experience, much like our popular pizza in a mug! It’s an ideal choice for a quick yet satisfying dinner. To complete your meal, consider pairing it with a crisp side salad or some warm, pull-apart garlic bread. With minimal effort, you’ll have a delightful meal that your entire family will adore. After all, who can resist the timeless appeal of pizza flavors combined with comforting pasta? Prepare this dish, and your kids might just crown you the superhero of the dinner table!

Mastering Pizza Pasta in Your Pressure Cooker

For ultimate convenience, we opt for a quality jar of spaghetti or marinara sauce in this recipe, but feel free to use your cherished homemade sauce if you have one ready. Think of this dish as your favorite Instant Pot pizza, simply transformed into a delectable pasta form! This recipe is incredibly versatile and works perfectly in various pressure cooker brands, whether it’s your Ninja Foodi, Crockpot Express, or any other multi-cooker. We believe in delicious food, not brand exclusivity!

If you’re a fan of both pizza and pasta – and let’s be honest, who isn’t? – then this pressure cooker creation is an absolute must-try. It’s remarkably quick to prepare, incredibly budget-friendly, and has consistently earned rave reviews from everyone who’s tried it. This dish encapsulates all the vibrant flavors you love in a pizza, allowing you to load it with any and all of your preferred toppings. Imagine classic pepperoni and earthy mushrooms, or perhaps a sprinkle of black olives for that extra savory bite – the possibilities are truly endless!

Feeling adventurous? You could even incorporate elements of a Hawaiian pizza by dicing up some Canadian bacon and adding tidbits of pineapple for that irresistible sweet and savory blend, typically found on a traditional pizza crust. Don’t limit your culinary imagination to flat, edible surfaces! We’ve previously explored combining these beloved flavors with noodles in our slow cooker pizza casserole, which is equally delicious and comforting.

Expanding on the idea of unconventional cooking, we also crafted a Crockpot pizza using a similar concept, demonstrating to the kids that delicious “baked” goods don’t always require a conventional oven. This philosophy extends perfectly to our Instant Pot Pizza Pasta, proving that innovative cooking methods can deliver exceptional results with minimal fuss.

Essential Ingredients for Your Instant Pot Pizza Pasta

Creating this flavorful Instant Pot Pizza Pasta requires a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability, allowing you to customize it with your personal preferences and dietary needs.

1. Noodles: A 1 lb package of short pasta works best, such as rotini, ziti, or rigatoni. These shapes hold the sauce beautifully.
   1. For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free noodles can be used, though cooking times may need slight adjustments. Always follow package directions for gluten-free pasta, typically reducing the pressure cooking time by a minute or two.
2. Sauce: One 24 oz jar of your favorite store-bought spaghetti, marinara, or pizza sauce. Alternatively, elevate the flavors with your own homemade Instant Pot spaghetti sauce for an even richer taste.
3. Liquid: Approximately 2 2/3 cups of water or vegetable/chicken broth. This is crucial for cooking the noodles to perfection in the pressure cooker and infusing them with flavor.
4. Meat (Optional but Recommended): About 10 slices of pepperoni, halved, are a classic choice. Precooked ground sausage, ground beef, or even diced ham also work wonderfully. If using raw ground meat, a quick sauté beforehand is recommended.
5. Cheese: 1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese is typically the go-to for its excellent melting properties and classic pizza flavor. Feel free to add a sprinkle of Parmesan or a blend of Italian cheeses for extra richness.
6. Optional Toppings: This is where you can truly make the dish your own! Think mushrooms, black olives, bell peppers, onions, or any other pizza topping you desire.
7. Seasonings: Don’t forget the core Italian seasonings to amplify the pizza taste – salt, pepper, dried basil, dried parsley, and garlic powder. A touch of olive oil also enhances the overall flavor and helps prevent sticking.

Unleash Your Creativity: The Best Pizza Pasta Toppings

The beauty of Instant Pot Pizza Pasta lies in its incredible versatility when it comes to toppings. You can stick to the classics or venture into new, exciting flavor combinations. Here are some of the best toppings to consider, ensuring a delicious experience for every palate:

• Pepperoni: A timeless favorite, adding a savory, slightly spicy kick. Slice them in half for easier incorporation.
• Mushrooms: Earthy and tender, mushrooms complement the tomato sauce beautifully. Fresh or canned sliced mushrooms work well.
• Onions: Finely diced white or red onions add a delightful aromatic and slightly pungent flavor.
• Sausage: Crumbled Italian sausage (mild or spicy) is a fantastic addition.
  • Pro Tip: If using raw ground sausage, sauté it with a tablespoon of olive oil in the Instant Pot on the “Sauté” setting until browned before adding other ingredients. Drain any excess fat, then proceed with the recipe as directed.
• Crumbled Bacon: Crispy bacon bits add a smoky, salty dimension that’s utterly irresistible.
• Sliced Black Olives: Their briny flavor provides a lovely contrast to the richness of the cheese and sauce.
• Green Peppers: A favorite for many, green bell peppers add a fresh, slightly bitter note and a pleasant crunch.
  • Recommendation: If you’re adding green peppers, dice them and include them with your uncooked noodles. This allows them to soften nicely during the pressure cooking process, ensuring a tender texture.
• Other great options: Consider adding diced ham, cooked chicken, red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, or even fresh spinach leaves (stirred in at the end).

How Long Does It Take to Cook Pasta in a Pressure Cooker?

The cooking time for pasta in a pressure cooker can vary slightly depending on whether you’re adding it with just water or incorporating it into a sauce with other ingredients. When preparing Instant Pot pasta recipes like this one, where the uncooked noodles cook directly in the sauce and additional liquid, the flavor absorption is truly remarkable. Unlike stovetop boiling, where pasta is cooked in plain water, pressure cooking in a seasoned sauce allows the pasta to soak up all those delicious flavors from your spaghetti or alfredo sauce, resulting in a much more integrated and flavorful dish.

For most small-to-medium sized pasta shapes, like rotini, ziti, or penne, they typically reach a perfectly tender consistency in about 4-5 minutes of high-pressure cooking. If your recipe includes raw meat that needs to cook alongside the pasta, or if you’re using longer, thicker noodles, such as in our Instant Pot spaghetti, an extended cooking time of 8-9 minutes is often more suitable to ensure everything is thoroughly cooked.

Of course, if you prefer your pasta al dente – meaning firm to the bite – we recommend decreasing the cooking time by approximately one minute. For delicate egg noodles, like those used in our comforting Instant Pot tuna casserole, a shorter cooking time of just 3 minutes is usually sufficient, followed by a quick pressure release to prevent overcooking.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Instant Pot Pizza Pasta

Making this delightful Instant Pot Pizza Pasta is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect, flavorful meal every time. Remember, the key to success in pressure cooking pasta is proper layering and avoiding stirring until the cooking cycle is complete.

1. Prepare Meat (Optional): If you plan to include ground sausage or ground beef, set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode and add a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the meat, breaking it apart, until it’s no longer pink. Once browned, turn off the pot and leave the cooked meat at the bottom.
2. Layer the Sauce and Seasonings: Pour approximately three-quarters of your pizza or spaghetti sauce into the Instant Pot. Stir in your Italian seasonings (basil, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper) and a bit of olive oil into this bottom layer of sauce.
3. Add Noodles (No Stirring!): Carefully sprinkle your uncooked noodles evenly over the seasoned sauce. Do not stir at this stage. Then, pour the remaining spaghetti sauce directly over the noodles.
4. Add Liquid: Pour your water or broth into the empty spaghetti sauce jar. Secure the lid and shake vigorously to dislodge any remaining sauce.
5. Pour Liquid (Still No Stirring!): Gently pour this liquid directly over the noodles and sauce in your pot. Again, resist the urge to stir!
6. Gently Submerge Noodles: Use a spoon or spatula to gently press down on the noodles, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Be careful not to push them firmly to the bottom of the pot, as this can lead to the dreaded “burn notice”.
7. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the steam release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) setting on High Pressure and set the cooking time for 4 minutes.
8. Release Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a 1-minute natural pressure release. This means simply waiting for 1 minute before manually turning the steam release valve to the “Venting” position for a quick release of any remaining pressure.
9. Stir in Toppings: Carefully open the lid. Now is the time to stir everything together! Add your shredded cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, or any other pizza toppings into the pot. Stir well until the cheese is melted and all toppings are warmed through and evenly distributed.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle your delicious Instant Pot Pizza Pasta into bowls. Garnish with additional shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, or fresh basil, if desired. This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty bread or a fresh green salad.

For those seeking a lighter, low-carb alternative, you can explore our savory spaghetti squash pizza recipe, which offers a similar flavor profile without the traditional pasta. You also have the flexibility to decide when to add your wonderful pizza toppings – either before pressure cooking (for softer toppings) or at the very end, as outlined above, for a fresher, meltier finish.

Expert Tips: How to Keep Pasta from Sticking in the Instant Pot

Achieving perfectly cooked, non-sticky pasta in your Instant Pot is simpler than you might think. By following a few key principles, you can ensure a flawless texture every time:

• Incorporate Olive Oil: Adding a teaspoon of olive oil directly into the cooking liquid (along with your sauce and water/broth) is a highly effective way to prevent pasta from clumping together. The oil creates a subtle coating on the noodles, which significantly reduces sticking.
• Proper Liquid Ratio: Ensure you use the correct amount of liquid as specified in the recipe. Too little liquid can lead to undercooked, sticky pasta, while too much can result in an overly soupy consistency. The liquid should just barely cover the noodles.
• Avoid Stirring Before Cooking: This is a crucial step for pressure cooker pasta. Stirring ingredients before the pressure cooking cycle can cause starches from the pasta to settle at the bottom of the pot, potentially leading to a “burn” notice. Layering the ingredients as instructed helps prevent this.
• Gentle Submersion: After layering, gently submerge the noodles into the liquid without compacting them. This ensures even cooking without forcing them to stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Quick Release Strategy: While a 1-minute natural release is recommended for this recipe, a full quick release immediately after cooking (especially for delicate pasta) can also help prevent sticking by stopping the cooking process quickly.

If you prefer an alternative method where the noodles are cooked separately, we often prepare pasta in the pressure cooker with just water, which takes about 3 minutes of high-pressure cooking, followed by a quick release. You then add your warm sauce and toppings. This method truly changes the game; you’ll likely never boil pasta on your stovetop again! The convenience and perfectly cooked texture are unmatched. We’ve even mastered making Instant Pot Kraft macaroni and cheese with absolutely no draining required!

Storing and Reheating Instant Pot Pizza Pasta Leftovers

One of the many benefits of Instant Pot Pizza Pasta is how well it stores and reheats, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors meld further. Proper storage is key to maximizing the freshness and deliciousness of your leftovers.

If you find yourself with any delicious leftovers, promptly transfer them from the Instant Pot into a suitable storage container. To ensure the best quality and extend the shelf life of your cooked pasta, refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. Use shallow, airtight containers or resealable plastic bags for optimal preservation. When stored correctly, your cooked Instant Pot Pizza Pasta will remain fresh and delicious for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

When reheating, you have a few options: microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through; gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce; or bake it in an oven-safe dish at 300°F (150°C) until heated through. Adding a little extra cheese during reheating can revive that fresh-from-the-pot appeal!

Explore More Easy Instant Pot Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and flavor of this Instant Pot Pizza Pasta, you’ll be thrilled to discover other fantastic pasta dishes you can create effortlessly in your pressure cooker. These recipes are designed for convenience without compromising on taste, making them perfect for any busy schedule:

• Indulge in another Italian favorite with our Easy Instant Pot Lasagna Soup, offering all the rich flavors of lasagna in a comforting bowl.
• For a taste of the sea, our Instant Pot Shrimp Alfredo is a creamy, delightful meal that comes together in minutes.
• Spice things up with Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti, a dish packed with a bit of a kick and layers of savory flavor.

We hope this Instant Pot Pizza Pasta becomes a new staple in your home! Below, you’ll find the complete printable recipe card, which includes helpful nutritional information such as calories, saturated fat, and more. Once you fall in love with this recipe, be sure to try our pizza burgers next for another fun, pizza-inspired meal. Please let us know what you think in the comments below after you’ve made this delicious dish!

Instant Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe

By
Justine

This easy 10-minute Instant Pot pizza pasta recipe is a family favorite! It’s a quick, dump-and-go Ninja Foodi or pressure cooker meal featuring jar sauce, noodles, and your choice of pizza toppings. A fun dinner twist that tastes even better as leftovers the next day.

Prep:

5 mins

Cook:

3 mins

Total:

10 mins

Servings:
8

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Equipment

• 1 pressure cooker

Ingredients

• 1 lb noodles, we use ziti or rigatoni
• 2 2/3 c water, or broth
• 1 1/2 c mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 24 oz spaghetti sauce
• 10 pepperoni, cut in half
• 6 mushrooms, quartered, optional
• 1/2 c olives, sliced, black
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

• Pour 3/4 of your spaghetti sauce into your pot. Add olive oil and seasonings, stir.
• Dump in your uncooked noodles, DO NOT stir or submerge. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce on top. Pour water or broth into your spaghetti sauce bottle, put top on and shake. Pour all of this on top of your uncooked noodles.
• GENTLY submerge noodles just so they are under liquid but not pushed to bottom of pot. (You can add pepperoni on very top now if you want them hot and steamed, or add at end).
• Close lid and steam valve and set to high pressure for 4 minutes followed by a 1 minute natural release, then a quick release.
• Lift lid, stir contents. Add any and all pizza toppings including cheese into the pot and stir so everything melts and warms inside the cooked sauce and noodles.
• Serve with parmesan cheese or additional mozzarella cheese on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz,
Calories: 324kcal,
Carbohydrates: 48g,
Protein: 14g,
Fat: 9g,
Saturated Fat: 4g,
Cholesterol: 19mg,
Sodium: 906mg,
Potassium: 431mg,
Fiber: 3g,
Sugar: 5g,
Vitamin A: 543IU,
Vitamin C: 6mg,
Calcium: 136mg,
Iron: 2mg

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

Additional Info

Course:
Entree, Main Course

Cuisine:
American, Italian

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