Imagine a vibrant, mouth-watering pasta dish that transforms your weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary – without spending hours in the kitchen! This Instant Pot Pasta Primavera is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal that's ready faster than you can say "delicious". Packed with colorful vegetables, perfectly cooked pasta, and a flavor profile that will make your taste buds dance, this recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort food that's both quick and impressive.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, carrots)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping mixed vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Dice zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Turn on Instant Pot and select the "Sauté" function. Add olive oil and heat for 1 minute until shimmering.
- Add chopped vegetables to the Instant Pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This will help develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the mixture.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into the liquid, ensuring all pasta is submerged. Do not stir after adding pasta to prevent potential burning.
- Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode. Cook on high pressure for 4-5 minutes, depending on pasta type.
- Once cooking completes, perform a quick release of pressure to prevent overcooking.
- Open lid and gently stir pasta. If sauce seems too thin, use "Sauté" mode for 1-2 minutes to reduce.
- Serve hot, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optional fresh basil leaves.
Tips
- Vegetable Prep is Key: Cut your vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
- Don't Stir the Pasta: After adding pasta to the liquid, resist the urge to stir. This prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom and potentially burning.
- Quick Release Matters: Use the quick release method immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent mushy pasta.
- Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to swap in seasonal vegetables or use what you have on hand. This recipe is incredibly flexible!
- Cheese is Your Friend: The freshly grated Parmesan adds a rich, nutty flavor – don't skip this finishing touch.
- Liquid Ratio is Crucial: Ensure the pasta is just covered by the liquid for perfect cooking and sauce consistency.
- For Extra Flavor: Consider adding a clove of minced garlic or a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables for an extra flavor boost.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 5mg
