Set and Forget Pasta Recipe for Cooking Penne In Your Instant Pot With No More Stovetop Splashes!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
I make some form of pasta constantly, almost daily. And due to how cheap it is I think at this point, penne has become one of the major food groups in our house!
And every single time I cooked it on the stove I ended up with the exact same mess afterwards. Starchy water splashed all over the stovetop. Tiny dried white marks crusted onto the burners. A giant pot bubbling over the second you looked away for five seconds. Then another huge pan to wash up afterwards too.
It drove me absolutely mad. Especially on busy evenings when I already had a sink full of dishes and people asking for snacks every twelve minutes.
Then recently I started experimenting with cooking pasta directly in the Instant Pot instead and I genuinely do not think I’ll ever fully go back to the stovetop method again for basic weeknight pasta.
It is ridiculously simple. Just pasta. Water. Lid on. Done.
No babysitting boiling water. No steam covering the kitchen. No messy pasta water splashing across the stove. No waiting forever for water to boil first either (win!)
And the texture comes out so much better than I expected too!
The penne stays tender, evenly cooked, and perfect for tossing into quick dinners, pasta salads, freezer meals, or lazy buttered noodles when everybody is exhausted and hungry.
This is the version we make most often here because penne works with absolutely everything. Alfredo. Meat sauce. Butter and parmesan. Baked pasta dishes. Leftover rotisserie chicken. It’s one of those cheap pantry staples that stretches meals further without feeling boring.
Also just a quick note about salt before we start. We personally do not salt the cooking water because some members of our family are navigating health issues and it’s easier for us to season individual portions afterwards instead.
But if you normally salt your pasta water you absolutely still can.
As a military family deep into baby step 2 of our debt free journey, we’ve been trying to make home cooking simpler and cheaper wherever possible. Tiny little changes really do add up over time. Less takeout. Less waste. Easier cleanup. Less stress at dinner time.
And while this might seem like a tiny kitchen shortcut, but those really are the kinds of systems that help busy households function better long term.
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
living frugally and fully
free tips and resources to make the most of what you have
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So roll up your sleeves, clear a little counter space, and head into the kitchen with me to make this easy Instant Pot penne pasta method!
Sneak Peak!
Sometimes you need to see the end product before you commit to making it, right?! So here’s a quick glimpse of how it turned out for me today along with the recipe at a glance!
Equipment
- Instant Pot 6 or 8 qt pressure cooker
- Measuring jug
- Silicone spatula
- Colander
Available on Amazon.com [ad]
Ingredients
Makes 4 to 6 servings
- 1 lb penne pasta (16 oz / 454g)
- 4 cups water (32 fl oz / 946ml)
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the pasta and water
Pour the dry penne pasta into the insert of your Instant Pot, and add the water.
Try to spread the pasta fairly evenly so pieces are not sticking above the water line, because any pasta that is above the water line may remain a little harder than the others.
Step 2: Seal the lid
Place the insert back into the Instant Pot, and put the lid on, making sure the valve is turned to SEAL.
The pressure cooker needs to fully seal properly before the timer begins counting down.
Step 3: Pressure cook
Cook on HIGH pressure for:
- 5 minutes for softer fully cooked pasta
- 4 minutes for firmer al dente pasta
Different pasta brands can vary slightly so after you try it once you’ll quickly learn which timing your family prefers.
Step 4: Quick release the pressure
As soon as the timer finishes, carefully perform a QUICK RELEASE.
Be cautious of the steam and keep hands and face away from the vent.
Step 5: Stir and drain
Open the lid and immediately stir the pasta well using a silicone spatula.
This helps stop the penne sticking together while still hot.
Drain using a colander.
Step 6: Serve
Serve immediately plain or toss with:
- butter
- olive oil
- parmesan
- pasta sauce
- garlic butter
- Alfredo sauce
- shredded cheese
Looking for more homemaking inspiration?
It’s so important to be part of a community that not only understands you but that champions you, encourages, challenges and cheers you on. We couldn’t find one – so we created it instead!
Join Julie, Sam and I over at the Side Hustle Homemakers Facebook Community for Food Blogging Tips, Homesteading and Homemaking content and encouragement!
We’re 3 very different US/UK military families who met and became instant forever friends.
We created Side Hustle Homemakers to share real life around recipes, food blogging, homemaking, military life, homesteading and more. Head on over, say Hi, share you tips and gain some friends and knowledge along the way!
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes
- Different pasta brands can cook slightly differently.
- Penne holds up really well in the Instant Pot compared to thinner noodles.
- This method works beautifully for meal prep.
- You can double the recipe in an 8 qt Instant Pot if needed.
- Stirring immediately after cooking helps prevent sticking.
Troubleshooting
- My pasta stuck together. It usually just needs stirring immediately after opening the lid. A tiny drizzle of olive oil can help too.
- The pasta seems too firm. Add 1 extra minute next time. Pasta brands vary more than people realize.
- My pasta turned too soft. Reduce cooking time to 4 minutes and quick release immediately.
- There is extra water left. A small amount is completely normal sometimes depending on pasta brand. Just drain it off. The key is to make sure all the pasta is covered by water before closing the lid and pressure cooking.
Storage
- Store leftover cooked pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can toss leftovers with a tiny bit of olive oil before refrigerating to help reduce sticking.
- Reheat in the microwave with a splash of water or sauce to help bring the texture back.
Serving Ideas
- Toss with marinara and meatballs
- Add Alfredo sauce and grilled chicken
- Mix into baked pasta casseroles
- Serve with garlic bread and salad
- Use for cold pasta salad meal prep
- Stir into homemade mac and cheese style sauces
- Add butter and parmesan for an easy side dish
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?!
- No giant boiling pot on the stove
- Less cleanup afterwards
- Perfect easy weeknight method
- Great for meal prep
- Budget friendly pantry dinner base
- Consistent results
- Easy for beginner cooks
- No stovetop splashes everywhere
- Works beautifully for busy families
FAQ
Can I salt the water?
Absolutely. We personally season afterwards instead, but either works fine.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes in an 8 qt Instant Pot. Just make sure not to overfill past the recommended line.
Do I need oil in the pot?
No. Just pasta and water works perfectly.
Can I use broth instead of water?
Yes! Chicken broth or vegetable broth adds extra flavor.
How to Cook One Box of Penne Pasta in Your Instant Pot!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the dry penne pasta and water to the insert of your Instant Pot.
- Spread the pasta evenly so most pieces are fully covered by water.
- Place the insert back into the Instant Pot. Close the lid and set the valve to SEAL.
- Cook on HIGH pressure for:5 minutes for softer pasta4 minutes for al dente pasta
- Carefully perform a QUICK RELEASE when cooking finishes.
- Open the lid and stir immediately to help prevent sticking.
- Drain using a colander.
- Serve immediately plain or with butter, olive oil, parmesan, or your favorite pasta sauce.
Video
Notes
- Different pasta brands can cook slightly differently.
- Penne holds up really well in the Instant Pot compared to thinner noodles.
- This method works beautifully for meal prep.
- You can double the recipe in an 8 qt Instant Pot if needed.
- Stirring immediately after cooking helps prevent sticking.
Storage
- Store leftover cooked pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can toss leftovers with a tiny bit of olive oil before refrigerating to help reduce sticking.
- Reheat in the microwave with a splash of water or sauce to help bring the texture back.
Related Recipes:
- Try all our Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- Check out our Pasta Recipes too!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
Sometimes the best kitchen hacks are the ones that simply make everyday life feel easier.
This Instant Pot penne cooking method has completely cut down on mess and cleanup in our kitchen and now I find myself reaching for the pressure cooker almost automatically anytime pasta night rolls around!
What To Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If this Instant Pot pasta method saves your stovetop from those awful crusty pasta splashes too, I’d love if you could leave a quick review on the recipe card and share it with another busy home cook!
Last update on 2026-05-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
