An Easy Pasta Dish The Whole Family Will Love With Classic Cavatappi / Cellentani Pasta Noodles.
A bowl of garlic pasta comfort food that’s quick to make and budget-friendly.
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!
Now first of all… how fun is this pasta shape?! I had genuinely never even seen cellentani (cavatappi) pasta before moving to America and now somehow we are absolutely flying through boxes of it around here like it has always existed in our lives.
The curly little corkscrew shape just holds onto sauces ridiculously well. And when you toss it in garlic butter? Oh my goodness!
Every little twist catches all that buttery garlicky goodness and suddenly everybody is standing around the kitchen “just having a bite” straight from the pot while the garlic bread is still cooking.
Usually we serve this alongside garlic bread, chicken, meatballs, salad, etc. Simple. And the best part is that it still fits our grocery budget.
A cheap box of noodles, butter, garlic, and pantry seasonings can turn into a really cozy side dish without needing loads of expensive ingredients.
Cooking the pasta directly in the Instant Pot helps too because I am fully at the point now where avoiding one extra pan to wash feels like a major life win.
No giant bubbling pasta pot. No starchy water splashed across the stove. No waiting around forever for water to boil.
Just pasta. Water. Lid on. Quick release. Drain. Toss everything together. Done!
Also just a quick note about salt before we start. We personally do not heavily salt pasta 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, pasta has become one of the easiest ways for us to stretch meals further without people still wandering into the kitchen an hour later asking what snacks we have.
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 on base. No staged lighting or spotless 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 cozy garlic butter corkscrew pasta recipe!
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, cups and spoons
- Silicone spatula
- Colander
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Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6:
- 1 lb dry corkscrew (cellentani / cavatappi) pasta noodles, 16 oz / 454g
- 4 to 4 1/2 cups water
- 1 stick butter
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 to 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
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Step-By-Step Instructions
Step one: Add the pasta to the Instant Pot
Pour the dry pasta into the insert of your Instant Pot. Spread the pasta out fairly evenly across the bottom of the pot.
Step two: Add the water
Pour 4 cups of water over the pasta.
The noodles should be fully covered before pressure cooking. Add a little more water if needed depending on the pasta brand and your pressure cooker.
Step three: Press the pasta down gently
Gently press the noodles down into the water so most of the pasta is submerged.
Step four: Seal the lid
Secure the lid and make sure the valve is turned to SEAL.
The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure before the timer starts counting down.
Step five: Pressure cook
Cook on HIGH pressure for:
- 5 minutes for softer pasta
- 4 minutes for firmer al dente pasta
I prefer the 5 minute timing for garlic butter pasta because it gives you softer cozy comfort-food style noodles.
Step six: Quick release immediately
As soon as the cooking time finishes, carefully perform a QUICK RELEASE.
Keep your hands and face away from the steam vent.
Step seven: Stir and drain
Once the pressure pin drops, carefully open the lid.
Stir the pasta immediately to help separate the noodles. Then drain using a colander.
Step eight: Add the butter and seasonings
Return the drained pasta to the warm Instant Pot insert.
Add the butter, olive oil, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes (if using) on top of the drained pasta.
Step nine: Toss everything together
Stir everything thoroughly until the butter is fully melted and the noodles are coated in the garlic butter mixture.
The residual heat from the pasta helps everything melt together beautifully. Butter gives it a decadent and luxurious flavor, whilst the olive oil means that it won’t stick and clump together.
Step ten: Serve warm
Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes:
- Corkscrew pasta noodles (cellentani / cavatappi) holds garlic butter beautifully because of its curly shape.
- 5 minutes gives softer comfort-food style pasta.
- 4 minutes gives firmer pasta.
- Fresh parsley can be used instead of dried if preferred.
- Red pepper flakes are optional for a little warmth.
- This recipe works well as both a side dish and simple main meal.
Troubleshooting:
The pasta seems dry.
Add an extra tablespoon of butter or a small drizzle of olive oil before serving.
The garlic flavor is too strong.
Start with 1 tbsp garlic first. Different minced garlic brands vary in strength.
The pasta stuck together.
Stir immediately after cooking and draining while still hot.
The pasta turned too soft.
Reduce the cook time to 4 minutes next time.
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave with a tiny splash of water or melted butter to help loosen the sauce back up.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with garlic bread
- Pair with meatballs
- Serve alongside grilled chicken
- Add parmesan cheese
- Use as a cozy side dish
- Pair with salad
- Serve with Italian dinners
- Add shredded mozzarella
- Use for easy meal prep
- Serve alongside marinara dishes
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Rich buttery garlic flavor
- Easy pantry ingredients
- Budget friendly comfort food
- Great side dish option
- Family friendly
- Perfect cozy pasta recipe
- Easy Instant Pot method
- Minimal cleanup
- Quick enough for busy nights
- Luxurious flavor without expensive ingredients
FAQ
Yes, although cooking times may vary slightly depending on the shape.
Absolutely. Fresh parsley works beautifully here.
You can, but the luxurious buttery texture is part of what makes this recipe so cozy and comforting.
Not unless you add the optional red pepper flakes.
Yes! Parmesan is delicious stirred through just before serving.
Quick Garlic Butter Corkscrew Pasta Instant Pot Recipe!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pour the dry pasta into the insert of your Instant Pot. Spread the pasta out fairly evenly across the bottom of the pot.
- Pour 4 cups of water over the pasta.The noodles should be fully covered before pressure cooking. Add a little more water if needed depending on the pasta brand and your pressure cooker.
- Gently press the noodles down into the water so most of the pasta is submerged.
- Secure the lid and make sure the valve is turned to SEAL.The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure before the timer starts counting down.
- Cook on HIGH pressure for:5 minutes for softer pasta4 minutes for firmer al dente pastaI prefer the 5 minute timing for garlic butter pasta because it gives you softer cozy comfort-food style noodles.
- As soon as the cooking time finishes, carefully perform a QUICK RELEASE.Keep your hands and face away from the steam vent.
- Once the pressure pin drops, carefully open the lid.Stir the pasta immediately to help separate the noodles. Drain using a colander.
- Return the drained pasta to the warm Instant Pot insert.Add the butter, olive oil, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes (if using) on top of the drained pasta.
- Stir everything thoroughly until the butter is fully melted and the noodles are coated in the garlic butter mixture.The residual heat from the pasta helps everything melt together beautifully. Butter gives it a decadent and luxurious flavor, whilst the olive oil means that it won’t stick and clump together.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Cellentani/Cavatappi corkscrew noodles hold garlic butter beautifully because of its curly shape.
- 5 minutes gives softer comfort-food style pasta.
- 4 minutes gives firmer pasta.
- Fresh parsley can be used instead of dried if preferred.
- Red pepper flakes are optional for a little warmth.
- This recipe works well as both a side dish and simple main meal.
Storage:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave with a tiny splash of water or melted butter to help loosen the sauce back up.
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.
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The Takeaway
Sometimes the recipes everybody loves most are the simplest ones.
This garlic butter cellentani pasta is rich, cozy, cheap, comforting, and ridiculously easy to throw together on busy nights when nobody wants a complicated dinner.
What To Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If this garlic butter corkscrew (cellentani / cavatappi ) pasta earns a regular spot on your dinner table too, tap the stars on the recipe card and leave a quick review below. Share it with another pasta-loving home cook who needs easy comfort food ideas!
Last update on 2026-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
