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Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage Recipe

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3.9 from 15 reviews

This Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage recipe is a quick and flavorful one-pot meal that combines Italian chicken sausage, colorful bell peppers, nutritious spinach, and whole wheat penne pasta in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, the recipe uses the Instant Pot to sauté and pressure cook the ingredients, resulting in tender pasta infused with savory sausage and vegetable flavors. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese, this hearty dish serves 8 and comes together in just 37 minutes.

  • Total Time: 37 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound Italian chicken sausage (see notes)
  • 1 small onion (chopped)
  • 2 bell peppers (chopped)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach (coarsely chopped)

Dry and Canned Goods

  • 12 ounces whole wheat penne pasta (about 4 ½ cups dry, or white penne pasta)
  • 25 ounce jar marinara sauce

Other Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 2 ounces mozzarella cheese (shredded, about ½ cup)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Instant Pot: Turn on the Instant Pot sauté function and add the olive oil to the pot to heat.
  2. Cook the Sausage: If using cooked sausage, slice and add it to the pot. If uncooked, remove from casings, crumble, and add to the pot. Sauté along with the chopped onion until the sausage is browned and the onion softens.
  3. Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Add the chopped bell peppers, water, and dried Italian seasoning to the pot. Stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to prevent burning.
  4. Add Pasta and Sauce: Add the dry penne pasta to the pot without stirring, pressing it down into an even layer. Then pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the pasta without stirring.
  5. Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the steam release valve. Set the pressure cook time to 2 minutes on high pressure, based on the pasta type and package cook time for al dente.
  6. Release Pressure and Open: After cooking completes, quick release the pressure by moving the valve to venting. When the steam stops and the pin drops, carefully open the lid. Some liquid may remain but will absorb as the pasta rests.
  7. Finish and Serve: Stir the pasta gently, then fold in the chopped fresh spinach and shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and combined. Serve warm.

Notes

  • You can use either cooked or uncooked Italian chicken sausage; adjust browning time accordingly.
  • The 2-minute pressure cook time is designed for whole wheat penne pasta with a stove top cook time of 9 minutes. Adjust cook time if using different pasta types to ensure doneness.
  • Some liquid may remain after cooking; this will be absorbed as the pasta rests off heat.
  • To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute sausage with plant-based Italian sausage alternatives and ensure cheese is vegetarian-friendly.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 27 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/instant-pot-pasta-with-sausage-recipe/