Learn how to make a creamy cheesy penne pasta and sausage from scratch in an instant pot or electric pressure cooker. This Instant Pot Penne Pasta is cooked perfectly in a creamy tomato sauce. It’s loaded with savory sausage. It’s the perfect one-pot meal for any weeknight!
A Quick Instant Pot Penne Pasta Recipe:
This Instant Pot Penne Pasta with meat sauce is one of my favorite Italian pasta dishes. It’s so comforting and satisfying. All of the ingredients are cooked in one pot. Best of all, it only takes 4 minutes of cooking time at high pressure.
Instant Pot Penne Pasta Ingredients:
To make this simple penne pasta recipe, you will need dried penne pasta, Sweet Italian sausage, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, dried basil, Italian seasoning, chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. These are staples ingredients that many people can easily find in their pantry.
Penne Pasta:
Penne is an Italian pasta in the form of short wide tubes. It’s traditionally cooked al dente and pairs well with chunky meat and sauces, such as; pesto, bolognese, marinara, or arrabbiata. It’s also a great addition to casserole dishes.
You can use any tube-shaped pasta such as macaroni, rigatoni, or ziti as an alternative ingredient to Penne Rigate.
Sweet Italian Sausage:
Sweet Italian Sausage is usually made from coarsely ground pork mixed with seasonings such as fennel seed and paprika. It’s great for soups, stews, pasta or pizzas.
In this recipe, I actually used Sweet Italian chicken sausage that I purchased from my local Sprout’s fresh bulk meat section.
The Simple Pasta Seasoning:
Because the Sweet Italian Sausage is packed with seasoning, I only added a small amount of a spice mix of Italian seasoning and basil to pump up the flavor.
Italian seasoning is usually made from a combination of marjoram, thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, and basil. So if you don’t have any Italian seasoning in your pantry, feel free to substitute with any of these spice combinations.
CHECK OUT MORE PASTA RECIPES:
- ONE-POT PENNE PASTA
- CANNED TUNA PASTA
- WHITE SAUCE PASTA
- GARLIC BUTTER SHRIMP SCAMPI
- FETTUCCINE ALFREDO WITH CHICKEN SAUSAGE AND KALE
- BRATWURST PASTA RECIPE (IN A BUTTERY BEER SAUCE)
Now let’s talk about the preparation and cooking process.
Cooking Pasta In an Instant Pot:
This Instant Pot Penne Pasta recipe requires a small amount of preparation. It involves chopping the onion and garlic, remove the chasing from the sausage.
There is no need to cook the pasta in a separate pot because you will add the dried penne pasta into the sauce and then cook it all together at high pressure.
Here are some important steps to follow while cooking this penne pasta in an instant pot. Of course, this recipe works with any electric pressure cooker you may have at home, such as Ninja Foodi.
- First, brown the sausage then sweat the onion and garlic for about 6 minutes total.
- Second, add the Italian seasoning and dried basil.
- Next, add the diced tomatoes and bring to a boil for about 2 minutes. It’s very important to scrape the bottom of the pot so there is nothing stuck which will prevent burning.
- After that, add the dried pasta evenly into the pot but do not stir!
- Then, add the chicken broth and press the pasta down gently to make sure it is submerged in liquid. Again, do not stir!
- Last, close the lid and make sure that it’s on the “sealed” position then set to manual for “4 minutes” and when the cooking cycle is completed, wait for 5 minutes then do a quick release.
STORING LEFTOVER PASTA:
Transfer the leftover pasta in shallow airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Properly stored, it will maintain the best quality for about 3-5 days in the fridge or 1-2 months in the freezer.
I hope you’ll enjoy this Instant Pot Penne Pasta recipe! If you try it out please don’t forget to come back and rate the recipe card!
Check Out These Side Dish Recipes:
- SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE – CHEESY AND HEALTHY
- ROASTED YELLOW SQUASH WITH PARMESAN CHEESE AND HERBS
- ELOTES MEXICANOS – MEXICAN CORN SALAD
- ROASTED BABY POTATOES WITH ROSEMARY AND GARLIC
Instant Pot Penne Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried penne pasta
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound Sweet Italian chicken sausage (remove casing)
- 1½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried basil
- 3 cups chicken broth
After Pressure Cooking:
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper (to taste if needed)
Instructions
- Press the “Sauté” function key. Select a temperature with the “Adjust” key for “Normal”. When Instant Pot reaches the given working temperature, it displays “Hot” and you can start sautéing.
- Heat 1½ tablespoons of oil then cook the Italian sausage undisturbed for 1 minute, stir and cook for another minute, then add onion and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes, bring to a boil for about 2 minutes, add the Italian seasoning, and dried basil. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to keep it from buring. Press "Keep Warm/Cancel" to stop cooking or follow the manufacturer's guide for turning off.
- Add penne pasta and press evenly on top of the sausage mixture. DO NOT STIR!
- Add chicken broth, press the pasta down gently to make sure it is submerged in liquid. DO NOT STIR!
- Put the lid on, sealed, and set to manual for "4 minutes". After the cooking cycle finished, wait for 5 minutes then carefully move the Venting Knob from Sealing Position to Venting Position to quickly release the pressure.
Add Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese:
- Open the lid and turn on the saute setting. You will see a lot of juices but it's normal.
- Give it a quick stir and simmer the pasta and sauce for about 2-3 minutes. Note: If you find the texture is too hard to your liking, just simmer the pasta a bit longer until you reach the desired consistency. Stir occasionally.
- Add heavy cream. Stir slowly and lightly for 1-2 minutes or until heated through and liquid is thickened. Optional: adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Add parmesan cheese, stir to combine. Turn off the heat. Please keep in mind that the extra sauce will get thickened as it sits.
- Serve and enjoy!
Dannii
We love cooking pasta in the instant pot. Such an easy comforting meal.
kerri
4 minutes? You have no idea how much time and effort this saves me!
Ashley
Loved this recipe! Thanks for sharing, it’s perfect now that school is back in session and dinner time is a bit of a whirlwind!
Irina
I have never tried to make any pasta recipe in an instant pot, but today is my chance! I feel excited 🙂
Alyssa
This is comfort food at its finest, and it makes the house smell AMAZING.
Amber Myers
Yum, thank you! We love pasta for dinner!
Pam Wattenbarger
I enjoy using my instant pot a lot. It gets dinner on the table so quickly. And we love penne pasta so this will be a great new recipe to try.
Tasheena
I had to make this for dinner tonight.
Diana Natal
This looks delicious! I never though to use my instapot for penne vodka and I love that you have sausage in here. Looks like we’ll have to try this for Sunday dinner!
Orlie
I never thought to make pasta in an instant pot. This is an easy weeknight dish.
heather
Love cooking with my Instant Pot an this recipe is a new favorite!
Louisa
This is a yummy delicacy that will be great enjoy with friends and family during the holidays
Jennifer Van Haitsma
This looks so good! I still don’t have an Instapot, but I have been more and more tempted to get one lately. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Gervin Khan
We love pasta so much in our family and seeing this really makes my mouthwatering. I will definitely making this for everyone!
Lynndee
I love a good pasta and that looks so creamy.
Jolina
I love how creamy that looks! And making it in an instant pot makes it so easy.
Kathy
Penne pasta is one of my families favorites. We love making all kinds of pasta. I will be trying this recipe too. It looks delicious.
Janeane M Davis
Penne pasta is such a delicious and versatile menu item. This recipe looks and sounds delicious.
Katie Kinsley
yumm, that look so good for dinner! we make something similar once a month, but we may need to switch things up and try this out.
Jamie H
Oh my goodness, I want this right now! Adding this to my meal plan for next week!
Catalina
What a great dinner idea for tonight! My whole family will love it!
Ruth I
The instruction is so detailed and clear. I can easily follow this recipe.
Marysa
I haven’t used an instant pot, but it sounds like a great way to cook meals. I really love the convenience!
Rika Livingston
You’re welcome, Amber!
Rika Livingston
Thanks, Alyssa!
Rika Livingston
Agreed, Heather! I love cooking pasta in my instant pot too!
Rika Livingston
It’s so much easier and faster, Orlie!
Rika Livingston
I am sure that you will love this, Diana!
Rika Livingston
You’re welcome, Ashley!
Rika Livingston
I know right, so quick!
Rika Livingston
Thanks, Ruth!
Rika Livingston
Cool! Let me know how it goes!
Rika Livingston
Agreed! I love penne pasta too!
Rika Livingston
Awesome, let me know what you think about it.
Rika Livingston
Don’t wait to get it, Jennifer! It’s one of my favorite and most used kitchen appliances!