How to cook pasta in electric pressure cooker

Use these simple step-by-step instructions to cook pasta al dente in an electric pressure cooker of 6 quarts capacity. 

Pasta has been my electric pressure cooker’s archenemy ever since I fell in love with the modern kitchen appliance. Over the past few years, I have gained considerable confidence when using a pressure cooker. It took me only a few weeks to overcome my apprehension about releasing the pressure valve. 

Currently, I use the pressure cooker a few times per week to prepare rice, a large pot of Crispy Pork Carnitas, and 20-minute weeknight meals such as Chickpea Curry with Rice. But pasta is difficult. 

Until I learned the electric pressure cooker pasta formula, that is. It requires a small amount of math, but it is consistently tender pasta. Here is the procedure. 

Is Pasta Nutritional? 

Isn’t this a loaded question? As with many other foods, it depends on their processing and preparation. Here is my opinion on the subject. 

Pasta tossed in a heavy, salty cream and butter sauce is DELICIOUS but not healthy. 

In contrast, Whole Grain Pasta contains fewer calories and more fiber, which is already improving. To make your bowl of pasta even healthier, serve it with a vegetable-based sauce (such as this Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce or Tomato Marinara) and pack it with steamed or roasted vegetables and lean proteins as meat or tofu. 

If this is how you eat pasta at home, then congratulations, pasta is a highly healthy option! 

Why Should You Cook Pasta In Electric Pressure Cooker? 

There are three advantages to cooking pasta in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. 

It is truly a one-pot meal. There is no need to drain the pasta after cooking because the pasta absorbs all the cooking liquid as it cooks. 

Just forget about it. There is no need to monitor the pot to ensure it does not overflow. Activate the machine and leave. 

Since the pasta is not strained, all the natural starch from the pasta remains in the pot. It acts as a natural thickener for any sauce you add, whether it is marinara sauce (as in Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti) or a creamy, cheesy sauce (as in Instant Pot Mac and Cheese). 

What Should Pressure Release Method Be Applied To Pasta? 

I use the quick-release method to depressurize the pressure cooker. Numerous individuals dislike this method for cooking pasta because starchy water can spray out of the pressure release valve. I resolved this issue by draping a dishtowel over the release valve to catch water spurts. It is more important to maintain control and immediately stop the pasta from cooking. After releasing the pressure, remember to drain any remaining water from the pot. 

Electric Pressure Cooker Pasta Formula 

How to cook pasta in To cook any pasta perfectly in the Instant Pot (note: you do NOT need to do the math yourself; I am simply demonstrating): 

1. Find the recommended cooking time for pasta on any box or bag. 
2. Take the even number that is the lowest in the range. (If only one time is specified and it is an odd number, round down. So, seven minutes becomes six.) 
3. Split in half. 
4. Remove two minutes. 
5. High-pressure cooking. 
6. Use a 5-minute natural release followed by a 5-minute manual release. 

How Much Water Do You Add To an Electric Pressure Cooker? 

Use 2 cups of water per 8 ounces of Pasta. So… 

• 8-ounce Pasta plus 2 cups of water 
• 16 ounce of Pasta plus 4 cups of water 
• 8-ounce Pasta plus 6 cups of water 

You can disregard this if you are cooking pasta in a large amount of liquid or sauce (such as soup or ragu), but the cooking times remain the same. 

How To Cook Pasta In Electric Pressure Cooker 

Pasta is an inexpensive, versatile product that can be used in countless dishes, each of which tastes unique. On occasion, we all require a speedy and straightforward side dish. We have a box of pasta in the pantry, but we are not necessarily interested in cooking it. The electric pressure cooker saves the day! 

Equipment Needed 

• Electric pressure cooker  
• Measuring cup 

• Silicone cooking spoon 

Instructions 

1. Combine pasta and water (using the above measurement) in the Instant Pot’s bowl. Stir everything until the pasta becomes slightly moist. 
2. Lock and seal the lid. 
3. High-pressure cooking. (Utilize the above chart to determine the cooking time.) 
4. Allow the pasta to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes (do not let it sit for longer, or it may overcook), and then manually release any remaining pressure. 
5. Unplug the appliance or verify that all heating/warming functions are disabled. 
6. Open the lid and stir the pasta twenty to thirty times. Put some effort into it to thoroughly combine the pasta with the remaining small amount of water. (Note: When you begin stirring the pasta, there may be a few dry spots where the pasta was protruding from the water. As you stir the pasta and allow it to steam in the following step, it will continue to absorb the small amount of liquid in the pot.) 
7. Return the lid without locking it. Just place it on top) and let the pasta sit for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. (Note: This is the most crucial step because the pasta will continue to absorb any remaining liquid and cook slightly in the machine’s residual heat. This is the secret to perfectly cooked pasta. 
8. Serve! 

How long does it take to cook pasta in a pressure cooker? 

The general rule of thumb for cooking pasta in an Instant Pot is to cook it for half the time specified on the box. Typically, I cook most pasta for 4 minutes or 5 minutes if I prefer softer pasta. 

There may be some remaining water at the bottom when the pasta is cooked. Stir it thoroughly, and the pasta should absorb the liquid. 

If there is still water in the pasta, drain it before serving. 

What Kind Of Pasta May Be Cooked In An Electric Pressure Cooker? 

Even more so, in a pressure cooker, the best pasta to use is the best pasta. As previously stated, not all pasta brands are of equal quality. In addition to tasting better, delicious pasta has two significant advantages: it does not fall apart during cooking and foam as much as inferior brands. Check out this page for a variety of buying and cooking tips for pasta if you are unsure how to choose a good combination. 

Short-shaped pasta fits more efficiently in a pressure cooker, making it easier to cook. To cook long pasta in a pressure cooker, it must be cut in half, which breaks the hearts of many Italian cooks. If you are not Italian, close your eyes, break the pasta in half, and add it to the pot without telling anyone. 

Pasta Cooking Tips For Your Pressure Cooker Or Instant Pot 

• Use pasta of the highest quality. It does not disintegrate in the cooker and produces less foam. 
• Add fat (oil or butter) to the water when cooking pasta in water alone to reduce foam. 
• Separate the pasta before placing it in the cooker. This primarily applies to long pasta, which tends to stick together. 
• Before closing the lid, thoroughly mix the pasta with the water or sauce. 
• Cover the release valve with a kitchen towel when rapidly releasing pressure to prevent pasta water spraying. 
• As soon as you remove the lid, stir the pasta thoroughly to redistribute it throughout the sauce. 
• Allow the pasta to rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help absorb any remaining liquid and cool the pasta to a safe temperature for consumption. 

Quick Notes: 

• 1 cup of dry pasta, 1 cup of liquid (water or stock), 12 teaspoons of salt, and one teaspoon of fat are required to prepare plain pasta (oil or butter) 
• To prepare pasta with sauce, add 1 cup of pasta, 1 cup of spice, and 1/2 cup liquid (stock or water) 
• Timing for pressure cooking pasta: Minimum recommended cooking time on package instructions, rounded down to the nearest even number, divided in half, minus 1 OR 2 minutes. 
• Utilize only the finest pasta. It cooks without falling apart and produces less foam. 
• When cooking pasta in water alone, reduce foam by adding fat (oil or butter) to the water. 
• As you place pasta in the cooker, separate it. This is especially true for long pasta that tends to stick together. 
• Before closing the lid, mix the pasta thoroughly with the water or sauce. 
• Cover the release valve with a dish towel to prevent pasta water from spraying when rapidly releasing pressure. 
• As soon as the lid is removed, the pasta should be thoroughly stirred to redistribute it throughout the sauce. 
• Before serving, permit the pasta to rest for a few minutes. This will help absorb any remaining liquid and allow the pasta to cool to an edible temperature.