This is a simple and easy pasta which is creamy and delicious with all the flavors of simple marinara sauce. Many times keeping it simple always gives great satisfaction. This is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal for any busy day or any weeknight. Just fill everything, switch on, refresh, and come back for a satisfying meal. Life demands quick and simple recipes like this.
I have used small rotini pasta. Its cook time is about 8 minutes. Since we are cooking under pressure, 3 minutes followed by 5 minute natural release helps in complete cooking. Also, keep in mind that all the water added will be absorbed by the pasta. If you see a tiny quantity, just stir a couple of times and the pasta absorbs completely. Remember that pasta needs salt and that quantity need to be added. The marinara sauce may have some salt, keep that in mind and add according to taste.
Adding veggies is optional. I love to increase the nutritional value of a meal and hence add a ton of veggies. If you have time, chop some favorite veggies or just thrown in any pack of veggies. Similarly, garlic adds extra flavor but it is totally optional. For a perfect lazy day meal, just dump everything, set it on, come back, eat and continue to be lazy again :-), everyone deserves a day like that 🙂
This is my post for #multicookermonday. I am using Instant Pot in many ways from rice to curries to pasta to desserts. Instant Pot comes in handy to make quick Veggie Dal or even slow cooked Chipotle Corn Chowder. Nutritious legume curries like Pumpkin Pie Spiced Vegan Pumpkin and Green Gram Curry or Bottle Gourd and Masoor Dal Curry can be made easily to fix a satisfying meal with rice or roti.
Sue Lau of Palatable Pastime is hosting the #multicookermonday. And this is my recipe for this month's event. We can use electric pressure cookers like Instant pot (small electric appliances) and make the recipe for this event, If you would like to join, please check out the Facebook Page. Multicooker Monday is a friendly food blogging group where we get together on the third Monday of the month to post recipes for the multicooker: instant pot or pressure cooker, slow cooker, air fryer, sous vide, or other cooking devices with no theme; anything goes!
I am also linking this for Sundays on Silverado, and Full Plate Thursday.
Ingredients
Serves 4
Rotini pasta - 3 cups
Marinara sauce- 1.5 cups
Water -1.5 cup
Cream cheese - 4oz
Oil - 1 tbsp
Chili flakes - 1/2 tsp
Black pepper powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt - 3/4 tsp
Garlic - 1, finely chopped
Dried/fresh basil - for garnish
Method
Switch on the Instant Pot in sauté mode. Add the oil and sauté the garlic for a minute. Add the marinara sauce, chili flakes, dried basil, pepper, and let it simmer for a minute. Add water and stir. Next add the pasta, salt, and stir.
Add the veggies. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and add here and there on top. Add broccoli on top, if adding.
Set it on manual high pressure mode for 3-4 minutes. Once it is done, leave it to release for 5 minutes and release the remaining steam after 5 minutes. Stir a few times till everything is combined well.
Sprinkle dried basil or fresh basil on top and serve.
Here are the recipes using small kitchen appliances we shared for June 2021 Multicooker Monday. Thanks, Sue!
- Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Tomato Sauce by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Instant Pot Ranch Style Beans by Palatable Pastime
- Instant Pot Lemon Curd by Making Miracles
- Homemade Dulce de Leche (Pressure Cooker) by Sneha's Recipe
- Creamy Marinara Pasta in Instant Pot by Magical Ingredients
- Spicy Parmesan Pork Chops by Cookaholic Wife
- Vietnamese-Style Meatballs with Rice Noodles (Instant Pot) by Karen's Kitchen Stories
A Day in the Life on the Farm says
A perfect, healthy, quick dinner idea. Thanks Radha.