Steaming Veggies And Pasta: Instant Pot's Magic

The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a variety of dishes, including pasta and steamed vegetables. Cooking pasta in an Instant Pot is a convenient option as it requires minimal preparation and yields perfectly tender pasta every time. Similarly, steaming vegetables in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy process that helps retain nutrients and produces perfectly cooked vegetables. The Instant Pot's ability to cook pasta and steam vegetables makes it a valuable tool for preparing nutritious and delicious meals with ease.

How to cook pasta in an instant pot

Ingredients

• Pasta of your choice (8 oz)
• Water (2 cups)
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon)

Method

• Combine pasta, water, and salt in the bowl of an Instant Pot. Give everything a stir.
• Close and lock the lid.
• Set the vent to "Sealing".
• Pressure cook on high for the time given on your pasta packet. Use the following formula to work out how long to cook the pasta for:

• Find the recommended cook time on the pasta packet.
• Take the lowest, even number in the range. (If only one time is given and it’s odd, round down. So 7 minutes becomes 6.)
• Subtract two minutes.

• Leave the pasta on natural release for exactly 5 minutes.
• Use manual release to release any remaining pressure.
• Open the lid and give the pasta a good stir, 20 to 30 times.
• Return the lid to the top of the pressure cooker (no need to lock it, just set it on top) and leave the pasta to sit for 5-10 minutes more.

Top Tips

• For long, straight pasta like spaghetti, fettuccini, and linguini, break the pasta strands in half before adding them to the Instant Pot so that they can easily be submerged in water.
• Do not stir long, straight pasta before cooking, as this will cause it to stick.
• Hot and starchy pasta water may spray out of the pressure valve when you release it. Cover the valve with a dish towel to minimize the mess.

How to steam vegetables in an instant pot

Yes, you can cook pasta and steam vegetables in an Instant Pot. Here is a guide on how to steam vegetables in an Instant Pot:

Firstly, it is important to note that steaming vegetables in an Instant Pot is a super quick and convenient way to cook veggies, and it also helps to retain nutrients. Now, let's get into the step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot

• Add water to the Instant Pot: Pour about 1 cup of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. The amount of water may vary slightly depending on the model, but generally, 1 cup is sufficient.
• Use a steamer basket or trivet: It is recommended to use a steamer basket or the trivet that usually comes with the Instant Pot. Place it inside the inner pot, above the water. This step is important as it ensures that your vegetables are steamed and not boiled, preventing overcooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

• Cut the vegetables: Choose your desired vegetables and cut them into evenly sized pieces. This ensures that they cook evenly. You can steam a variety of vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, potatoes, etc.
• Seasonings (optional): At this point, you can also add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, salt, and pepper, or keep it simple with just salt and pepper to taste after cooking.

Step 3: Steam the Vegetables

• Place the vegetables in the steamer basket: Arrange the cut vegetables in the steamer basket, ensuring they are not crowded and have some space for the steam to circulate.
• Secure the lid and set the valve: Close the lid of the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to the "sealing" position. This step is crucial to building pressure inside the pot.
• Set the timer: For most vegetables, you can set the timer for 0 minutes on high pressure. Yes, you read that right! The pressure-building phase is often enough to cook the vegetables perfectly. For starchy vegetables like potatoes, you might want to set the timer for 2-4 minutes, depending on the desired tenderness.
• Quick release the pressure: Once the timer goes off, quickly release the pressure by moving the valve to the venting position. Be careful when doing this step as the steam will be hot.
• Open the lid and serve: After releasing the pressure, carefully open the lid and remove the steamer basket. Your perfectly steamed vegetables are now ready to be served!

Additional Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the steamer basket: It is important to give the vegetables enough space to ensure even cooking. If you have a large amount of vegetables, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Adjust cooking times: The cooking times mentioned above are general guidelines. Depending on your preference for doneness, you may need to adjust the cooking time for certain vegetables.
• Experiment with different vegetables: Feel free to experiment with different types of vegetables and create your own vegetable medleys. Just remember to group vegetables with similar cooking times together.

Instant pot pasta formula

Ingredients:

• Pasta (8 oz)
• Water (2 cups)
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon)

Optional Ingredients:

• Butter or olive oil
• Sauce (marinara, creamy goat cheese, etc.)
• Meat (Italian sausage, ground beef, etc.)
• Vegetables (spinach, broccoli, peas, etc.)

Instructions:

• Combine pasta, water, and salt in the bowl of an Instant Pot. Give everything a stir.
• Close and lock the lid. Set the vent to "Sealing".
• Pressure cook on high for the time determined in Step 6.
• Leave the pasta on natural release for exactly 5 minutes.
• Use manual release to release any remaining pressure.
• Open the lid and give the pasta a good stir, 20 to 30 times.
• Return the lid to the top of the pressure cooker (no need to lock it, just set it on top) and leave the pasta for 5-10 minutes more.

Cooking Times:

To determine how long to cook the pasta for, find the recommended cook time on the box/bag of pasta. Take the lowest, even number in the range. If only one time is given and it's odd, round down. Then, subtract two minutes.

Tips:

• Long, straight pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine, and linguine can be finicky to cook in the Instant Pot. Break the strands in half before adding them to the pot so they can easily be submerged in water.
• Do not stir before cooking.
• Pressure cook according to the time on the chart.
• Leave on natural release for 5 minutes and then release any remaining pressure.
• After cooking, stir the pasta well to ensure the strands are not stuck together.
• To add vegetables, open the lid after cooking and add a handful of spinach, broccoli, or peas. Close the lid and let the vegetables cook in the residual steam for 4 minutes before serving.
• To add meat, first brown the meat using the saute function. Then, remove the meat, add in the broth, and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Instant pot steamed vegetables tips and tricks

The Benefits of Steaming Vegetables in an Instant Pot

Steaming vegetables in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to cook veggies that retain their nutrients. It's also a no-fail, dump-and-go process, meaning you don't need to monitor the vegetables as they cook. This method is perfect for busy individuals who want a hassle-free way to cook healthy vegetables.

Tips for Steaming Vegetables in an Instant Pot

• Use a steamer basket: Most Instant Pot models come with a steamer basket, which is useful for holding the veggies in place. If your model doesn't have one, you can purchase a stainless steel or silicone steamer basket or rack that fits your Instant Pot.
• Keep veggies elevated: Ensure that the veggies are not touching the bottom of the pot or the water. This is important because the steam function heats up very quickly, and veggies that touch the water will boil and may become overcooked.
• Cut veggies into equal pieces: Cutting the vegetables into similar sizes will ensure that they cook evenly. Only cut them if necessary, as some veggies, like baby carrots, can be cooked whole.
• Add water: Remember to add water to the bottom of the pot, as this is necessary to create steam. Use 1-1.5 cups of water for steaming.
• Quick release pressure: After the Instant Pot beeps, quickly release the pressure to prevent overcooking the vegetables.
• Season to taste: Once the veggies are cooked, season them with salt, pepper, garlic, fresh herbs, or spices. You can also toss them in butter or olive oil.

Vegetables That Work Well in the Instant Pot

Almost any vegetable can be steamed in an Instant Pot, including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, pumpkin, potatoes, corn, and asparagus. For starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, or cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, simply add a cup of liquid, add the veggies, seal the lid, and let the Instant Pot work its magic.

Vegetables That May Not Be Ideal for Instant Pot Steaming

While most vegetables can be steamed in an Instant Pot, some more delicate vegetables may not be ideal for the high-pressure cooking environment. These include broccoli and green beans if you prefer them less cooked, as well as thick dark greens like kale, collard greens, and mustard greens.

How to cook pasta in an 8-quart instant pot

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta (any type or shape)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water or broth

Method:

• Combine pasta, water (or broth), and salt in the bowl of an Instant Pot. Give everything a stir. (If cooking long, straight pasta like spaghetti, fettuccini, or linguini, break the pasta strands in half before adding them to the Instant Pot so that they can easily be submerged in water.)
• Close and lock the lid. Set the vent to "Sealing".
• Pressure cook on high for the time determined in Step #1. (Use the chart below to determine the cook time.)
• Leave the pasta on natural release for exactly 5 minutes. (Be careful not to let it sit for any longer or the pasta will overcook.)
• Use manual release to release any remaining pressure. (Hot and starchy pasta water may spray out of the pressure valve when you release it. Cover the valve with a dish towel to minimize the mess.)
• Open the lid and give the pasta a good stir—20 to 30 times. (This will get rid of any dry spots that remained where the pasta was sticking out of the water during cooking. If you're adding sauce, stir it in at this point.)
• Return the lid to the top of the pressure cooker (no need to lock it, just set it on top) and leave the pasta for 5-10 minutes more. (This step is important because the pasta will continue to absorb any remaining liquid and continue to cook just a bit in the residual heat of the machine. This is the key to pasta that is cooked but not overcooked.)

Cooking Times:

• Spaghetti, fettuccini, linguini, angel hair, bucatini, etc. (long, straight pasta shapes): 4 minutes
• Small pasta shapes with a short recommended cook time: 0 minutes
• All other pasta shapes: Refer to the cook time on the box/bag and use the Instant Pot Pasta Formula to determine the cook time.

Instant Pot Pasta Formula:

• Find the recommended cook time on any box/bag of pasta.
• Take the lowest, even number in the range. (If only one time is given and it's odd, round down. So 7 minutes becomes 6.)
• Subtract two minutes.
• Pressure cook on high.
• Use a 5-minute natural release and then release any remaining pressure manually.

Tips:

• Use 2 cups of water for every 8 oz of pasta.
• Break long noodles in half.
• Do not stir long, straight pasta shapes before cooking.
• Use an intermittent quick release to avoid foaming.
• If you're making a meat sauce, sauté the meat in the pressure cooking pot as a first step. Remove the meat from the pot before adding the pasta and water.
• Add oil or butter to the pasta and water to reduce foaming.

Frequently asked questions