Instant Pot Pesto Pasta

cooked pesto penne pasta along with a black fork in a large blue bowl.

This Instant Pot Pesto Pasta is made using only 5 ingredients but is shockingly flavorful and satisfying. Simply combine everything in the instant pot and cook, for a quick 20-minute dinner.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword instant pot pesto pasta

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 13

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 398kcal

Author Maria Doss

Equipment

instant pot

Ingredients

1 cup Half & half (use whole milk for a lighter version)
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock (I used 33% reduced sodium chicken stock)
½ cup basil pesto
¾ to 1 teaspoon salt, refer notes
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
8 ounces Penne pasta

Instructions

Add all ingredients except the pasta into the instant pot. Stir well to combine.
Place the pasta on top and gently press it into the sauce, using the back of a spoon, making sure that they are mostly immersed into the sauce. But, don't stir after adding the pasta!
Cook on manual for 5 minutes. Let it be in warm mode for an additional 5 to 6 minutes.
Release pressure, give a good stir and serve!

Video

Notes

Salt - The amount of salt needed may vary based on the type of stock and pesto sauce you use. I used 33% reduced sodium chicken stock and added 1 teaspoon of salt. However, feel free to adjust the salt to suit your taste preferences.

Pasta - You can use other pasta shapes such as fusilli, farfalle, rigatoni, or spaghetti instead of penne.

Nutrition