Instant Pot bowtie pasta is an easy meal that cooks perfectly in the Instant Pot. Combine bowtie pasta with a simple bolognese for a hearty pasta dinner that's on the table in less than 30 minutes.
My kids love this rich and hearty bolognese sauce with easy-to-eat bowtie pasta. I love this comforting pasta dinner, too. But what I really love is that the entire meal is cooked and served in one pot and dinner is on the table in less than 30 minutes.
For most of those minutes, you're not involved. Just dump ingredients in the Instant Pot and walk away while it cooks. That's the real beauty of cooking bowtie pasta and sauce in the Instant Pot, instead of on the stove.
For another delicious dump-and-go recipe, try Instant Pot chicken parmesan pasta.
I also like the way an Instant Pot melds together the flavors of pasta and sauce. This simple pasta dinner tastes like it has simmered for a great long while, instead of just 5 minutes in the Instant Pot.
Did I mention I use jarred marinara for this recipe? Let's make life as easy as possible for ourselves, that's my motto.
How To Make Instant Pot Bowtie Pasta
- Brown ground meat
- Add jarred marinara sauce
- Add dried bowtie pasta and water
- Cook 5 minutes on high pressure
Serve with a salad on the side and as much parmesan cheese as your heart desires!
Not sure which jarred sauce to buy? Cup of Jo did a taste test. Or, Sylvia over at Feasting at Home recommends Trader Joe’s organic marinara.
More Pasta Recipes You'll Love
- Instant Pot Artichoke Spinach Dip Pasta
- My Favorite Vegetable Lasagna
- Shrimp Linguine with Arugula Walnut Pesto
- Pork and Ricotta Meatballs
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Instant Pot Bowtie Pasta
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Description
Instant Pot bowtie pasta is an easy meal that cooks perfectly in the Instant Pot. Combine bowtie pasta with a simple bolognese for a hearty pasta dinner that's on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Total Instant Pot Cooking Time: 12 minutes to reach pressure + 5 minute cook time
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or ½ teaspoon table salt)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 24-to-26 ounce jar marinara/pasta sauce
- 2 cups water
- 8 ounces dry bowtie pasta
Instructions
- Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot. Add olive oil to the pressure cooker pot. Add the ground beef. Cook the beef for about 5 minutes, just until the meat is no longer pink.
- While the meat cooks, season it with salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Use a spatula to break the meat up into small pieces as it cooks.
- Turn off the saute function. Use the spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot, making sure no bits of meat are stuck to the pot.
- Add the marinara sauce. Stir to combine with the meat.
- Add the bowtie pasta in an even, flat layer over the marinara sauce and meat. Do NOT stir. The bowtie pasta should be the top layer in the pot.
- Measure out the two cups of water. Pour the water into the empty marinara jar and shake the jar with a lid to get all of the sauce off the sides of the jar. Gently pour the water into the Instant Pot, over the bowtie pasta. Remember, do NOT stir.
- Make sure all of the pasta is covered by water. If needed, gently press down on the bowtie pasta so that each noodle is covered by at least a little bit of water.
8. Lock the lid in place. Make sure the steam valve is in the sealed position. Press the Manual button and program the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. The pot will take about 12 minutes to come up to pressure.
9. When the cooking time is done, release pressure instantly.
10. The sauce will seem watery right when you open the lid. Don't worry! Just stir the pasta well and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
I like using bowtie pasta for this Instant Pot pasta recipe, because it comes out perfectly al dente. I can't guarantee that another shape of pasta will work equally well in this recipe. However, if you are substituting another pasta shape, choose a short, thick noodle like rigatoni or penne.
- Prep Time: 8
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian American
Keywords: instant pot, instant pot pasta, bowtie noodles
Jen
The pasta absorbs great flavor from the sauce. Easy and delicious!
★★★★★
Winnie
Wow- could not be easier & result was great! Fast & delicious!
★★★★★
Jenny
Glad you liked it!
S.
I really liked this bowtie pasta. It turned out great and the kids loved it.
★★★★★
Marquetta Ann Gouvan
The pasta was not done. Where it is pinched in the middle was hard. I was so mad. I waited forever to fix it. When I first make a recipe I follow to the tee. I will not use that pasta again...Dang.
★★★
Jenny
Oh no! I'm sorry to hear your pasta didn't turn out. I know how frustrating it is when a recipe doesn't work. I've made this recipe many times and 5 minutes on high pressure always cooks the bowtie pasta completely. Maybe the brand of pasta you're using has a thicker bowtie? If pasta isn't completely cooked in the Instant Pot after the cooking time is complete, you can simmer the pasta and sauce or just leave the pasta in the Instant Pot with a lid for 5 to 10 minutes and stir it a few times. But it sounds like maybe you tried that? It's also important to add enough liquid. I add 2 cups water with the sauce for 8 ounces of pasta.