As someone who loves to cook but often finds myself short on time, I have discovered the wonderful world of Instant Pot recipes. These quick and easy dishes are a game-changer in the kitchen, allowing me to whip up delicious meals without spending hours in front of the stove. In this article, I will share 10 of my favorite Instant Pot recipes that are not only simple to make but also incredibly tasty. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting out, these recipes are guaranteed to impress and leave you wanting more. So grab your Instant Pot and let’s get cooking!
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Creamy tomato basil soup is the ultimate comfort food, and with an Instant Pot, it’s easier than ever to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious and satisfying soup in no time.
To make creamy tomato basil soup in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) of crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup of vegetable broth
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
To start, set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil. Sauté onions and garlic until they become translucent. This step helps to bring out the flavors of the onions and garlic and gives the soup a delicious base.
Next, add crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth to the Instant Pot. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 5 minutes. This cooking time allows the tomatoes and broth to meld together and creates a rich and flavorful base for the soup.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure manually. This step is important to ensure the safety of using the Instant Pot. Once the pressure is released, open the lid and stir in the heavy cream and chopped basil leaves. The heavy cream adds a creamy and velvety texture to the soup, while the basil adds a fresh and aromatic note.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. The amount of salt and pepper you use will depend on your personal preference, so feel free to adjust accordingly. Serve the creamy tomato basil soup hot and enjoy its comforting and delicious flavors.
Beef Stew
Beef stew is a hearty and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. With an Instant Pot, you can quickly and easily make tender and flavorful beef stew in no time.
To make beef stew in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 pounds of beef stew meat, cubed
- 4 cups of beef broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, cubed
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
To start, set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil. Sauté onions and garlic until they become translucent. This step adds flavor to the stew and creates a delicious base.
Next, add beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides. Browning the meat helps to seal in the juices and adds richness to the stew.
Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. These ingredients add depth of flavor to the stew and give it a rich and savory taste.
Pour in beef broth and close the lid of the Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 20 minutes. This cooking time allows the meat to become tender and the flavors to meld together.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. This step allows the meat to rest and become even more tender.
Open the lid and add carrots and potatoes to the Instant Pot. These vegetables add texture and color to the stew.
Close the lid again and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for an additional 10 minutes. This cooking time ensures that the carrots and potatoes are cooked through and tender.
After the second cooking cycle, release the pressure manually and serve the beef stew hot. The tender meat, flavorful broth, and hearty vegetables make this dish a comforting and satisfying meal.
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Lemon garlic chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. With an Instant Pot, you can have juicy and tender lemon garlic chicken in no time.
To make lemon garlic chicken in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by whisking together lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. This mixture creates a flavorful marinade for the chicken.
Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot and pour the lemon garlic marinade over the chicken. Make sure that the chicken is coated evenly with the marinade.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 8 minutes. This cooking time allows the chicken to cook through and become tender and juicy.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Open the lid and transfer the chicken to a serving platter. The lemon garlic chicken is now ready to be enjoyed. The tangy lemon, fragrant garlic, and savory flavors make this dish a delicious and satisfying meal.
Spaghetti Bolognese
Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian dish that is loved by many. With an Instant Pot, you can create a rich and flavorful Bolognese sauce in no time, making it the perfect weeknight meal.
To make Spaghetti Bolognese in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup of tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons of dried basil
- 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound of spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Start by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode and cooking the ground beef until browned. This step helps to develop flavor and adds richness to the sauce.
Add onions and garlic to the Instant Pot and cook until the onions become translucent. The onions and garlic add depth of flavor to the sauce and create a delicious base.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. These ingredients create the classic Bolognese sauce, with its rich and savory flavors.
Break the spaghetti in half and place it on top of the sauce, distributing it evenly. Press the spaghetti down gently with a spoon to submerge it in the sauce. This helps to ensure that the pasta cooks evenly and is coated in the flavorful sauce.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 8 minutes. This cooking time allows the pasta to cook to al dente perfection and the flavors to meld together.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure manually. This step ensures the safety of using the Instant Pot.
Serve the Spaghetti Bolognese hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese. The tender pasta, rich sauce, and cheese topping make this dish a family favorite.
Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice is a classic combination that is loved by many. With an Instant Pot, you can quickly and easily make flavorful and juicy chicken with perfectly cooked rice.
To make chicken and rice in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup of long-grain rice
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode and cooking the chicken breasts until browned. This step helps to develop flavor and gives the chicken a nice golden color.
Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and set it aside for now.
Add onions and garlic to the Instant Pot and cook until the onions become translucent. This step creates a flavorful base for the rice.
Stir in long-grain rice, chicken broth, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. These ingredients add flavor to the rice and create a delicious and aromatic dish.
Place the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture, ensuring that they are submerged. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and absorbs the flavors of the rice and broth.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes. This cooking time allows the chicken to cook through and the rice to become tender.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together and ensures that the chicken is juicy and tender.
Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. The chicken and rice dish is now ready to be served. The juicy chicken and flavorful rice make this a satisfying and delicious meal.
Chili
Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for chilly nights or game day gatherings. With an Instant Pot, you can have a delicious and comforting pot of chili in no time.
To make chili in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) of diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (6 ounces) of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode and cooking the ground beef until browned. This step gives the chili a rich and meaty flavor.
Add onions and garlic to the Instant Pot and cook until the onions become translucent. This step adds depth of flavor to the chili and creates a delicious base.
Stir in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. These ingredients create a flavorful and robust chili base.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes. This cooking time allows the flavors to meld together and creates a delicious and aromatic chili.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure manually. This step ensures the safety of using the Instant Pot.
Serve the chili hot, garnished with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped onions. The rich flavors and hearty texture of the chili make it the perfect comfort food.
Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is a cozy and comforting dish that is perfect for fall or winter. With an Instant Pot, you can make a velvety and delicious butternut squash soup in no time.
To make butternut squash soup in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
Start by placing the butternut squash, onion, carrots, garlic, vegetable broth, dried thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in the Instant Pot. These ingredients create a flavorful and aromatic soup base.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 15 minutes. This cooking time allows the butternut squash to become tender and the flavors to meld together.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to develop and ensures that the soup is at the perfect temperature for serving.
Open the lid and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. This step creates a velvety and creamy texture for the butternut squash soup.
Stir in the heavy cream. The heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the soup, making it even more comforting and delicious.
The butternut squash soup is now ready to be enjoyed. Serve it hot and savor the comforting flavors and silky texture.
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is a crowd-pleasing dish that is perfect for gatherings or barbecue nights. With an Instant Pot, you can create tender and flavorful pulled pork in a fraction of the time it would traditionally take.
To make pulled pork in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 pounds of pork shoulder, trimmed
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by rubbing the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. This step adds flavor and creates a delicious crust on the pork.
Place sliced onions and minced garlic in the bottom of the Instant Pot. This creates a flavorful bed for the pork and adds depth of flavor to the dish.
Place the pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic. The pork shoulder will cook in the rich flavors of the onions and garlic, creating a delicious and tender result.
In a separate bowl, mix together BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. This mixture will be used to coat the pork and create a flavorful sauce.
Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the pork shoulder, making sure to coat the meat evenly. The sauce will infuse the pork with its delicious flavor and create a rich and tangy coating.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 60 minutes. This cooking time allows the pork to become tender and develop its rich and smoky flavors.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. This resting time ensures that the pork is juicy and flavorful.
Open the lid and use two forks to shred the pork. The tender and flavorful pulled pork is now ready to be enjoyed.
Serve the pulled pork hot, piled high on buns or alongside your favorite sides. The smoky and delicious flavors of the pulled pork make it a true crowd-pleaser.
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by both children and adults alike. With an Instant Pot, you can have creamy and cheesy macaroni and cheese in no time.
To make macaroni and cheese in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of elbow macaroni
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 teaspoon of mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by placing elbow macaroni, milk, butter, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the Instant Pot. These ingredients create a creamy and flavorful base for the macaroni and cheese.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 4 minutes. This cooking time allows the macaroni to cook to al dente perfection and the flavors to meld together.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure manually. This step ensures the safety of using the Instant Pot.
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. The cheese adds richness and gooeyness to the macaroni and creates a delicious and cheesy dish.
The macaroni and cheese is now ready to be enjoyed. Serve it hot and savor the comforting and cheesy flavors.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that is loved by many. With an Instant Pot, you can make fluffy and flavorful mashed potatoes with minimal effort.
To make mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 pounds of potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by placing chopped potatoes and chicken broth in the Instant Pot. The chicken broth adds flavor to the potatoes and creates a delicious and savory base.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 8 minutes. This cooking time allows the potatoes to become tender and perfect for mashing.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure manually. This step ensures the safety of using the Instant Pot.
Drain the potatoes and return them to the Instant Pot. This step removes any excess liquid and prepares the potatoes for mashing.
Add milk, butter, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. These ingredients add creaminess and flavor to the mashed potatoes, making them rich and delicious.
Use a potato masher or electric mixer to mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. The amount of mashing time will depend on your personal preference, so make sure to taste and adjust if needed.
The mashed potatoes are now ready to be enjoyed. Serve them hot as a side dish to your favorite main course and savor their fluffy and flavorful goodness.
In conclusion, the Instant Pot is a versatile and convenient appliance that allows you to create a variety of delicious meals with ease. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting soup, a hearty stew, or a flavorful main course, the Instant Pot has got you covered. With these easy recipes, you can enjoy homemade meals without spending hours in the kitchen. So grab your Instant Pot and get cooking!
