Instant Pot Pasta with Italian Sausage Recipe

Italian sausage: Adds a rich, savory flavor to the dish.

Pasta: Use your favorite type of pasta; it will absorb the flavors beautifully.

Marinara sauce: Provides a robust tomato base for the pasta.

Chicken broth: Adds depth and enhances the overall flavor.

Mozzarella cheese: Melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.

Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the Italian flavors.

Salt: Essential for seasoning the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and balances the flavors.

When browning the italian sausage in the instant pot, make sure to break it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. This will help ensure even browning and allow the flavors to meld better with the marinara sauce and chicken broth. Additionally, deglaze the pot with a bit of the broth before adding the rest of the ingredients to prevent any burnt bits from sticking to the bottom, which can cause a burn warning during pressure cooking.

• sliced italian sausage - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey provides a leaner protein option and can be seasoned to mimic the flavors of Italian sausage.

• your choice pasta - Substitute with whole wheat pasta: Whole wheat pasta adds more fiber and nutrients compared to regular pasta.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes with Italian herbs: Crushed tomatoes with Italian herbs can provide a fresher and less processed alternative to marinara sauce.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a great option for vegetarians and can add a different depth of flavor.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone cheese has a similar melting quality and flavor profile to mozzarella.

• italian seasoning - Substitute with herbes de Provence: Herbes de Provence offers a slightly different but complementary flavor profile with a mix of herbs like thyme, rosemary, and lavender.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a different umami flavor while still providing the necessary saltiness.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used as a direct substitute for black pepper.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to the skillet to prevent sticking.
  3. Add the leftover Instant Pot Pasta with Italian Sausage to the skillet.
  4. Stir occasionally, ensuring the pasta heats evenly.
  5. Once heated through, sprinkle a bit more shredded mozzarella cheese on top if desired.
  6. Serve hot and enjoy!

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a tablespoon of chicken broth or water to keep the pasta moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Stir the pasta and check the temperature.
  6. If needed, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until heated through.
  7. Serve hot and enjoy!

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover pasta in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it from drying out.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
  6. Remove the foil and sprinkle some additional shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  7. Bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Serve hot and enjoy!

• Instant Pot: This multifunctional pressure cooker will be used to sauté the sausage and cook the pasta under high pressure.

• Sauté function: A setting on the Instant Pot that allows you to brown the sausage before adding other ingredients.

• Manual high pressure setting: This setting on the Instant Pot will cook the pasta and sausage mixture quickly and efficiently.

• Lid: The Instant Pot lid is essential for sealing the pot and building up the pressure needed to cook the pasta.

• Pressure release valve: This valve is used to perform a quick release of the pressure once the cooking time is up.

• Measuring cups: These will be used to measure out the marinara sauce, chicken broth, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

• Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the ingredients together and ensuring the pasta is submerged in the liquid.

• Serving spoon: For serving the finished pasta dish once it’s ready.

• Knife: To slice the Italian sausage if it isn't pre-sliced.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely slice the Italian sausage.

• Cheese grater: If you need to shred the mozzarella cheese yourself.

Pre-slice the sausage: Buy pre-sliced italian sausage to save time on preparation.

Use pre-made marinara: Opt for a high-quality marinara sauce to skip making it from scratch.

Quick-release pressure: Utilize the quick release function on your instant pot to speed up the cooking process.

Pre-shredded cheese: Purchase shredded mozzarella cheese to avoid grating it yourself.

Measure ingredients ahead: Have all ingredients measured and ready to go before you start cooking.