Name: Instant Pot Pasta Alfredo
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 6 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 3 cups chicken broth (I use low-sodium) (Source: 3 cups chicken broth (I use low-sodium)); 2 cups milk (Source: 2 cups milk); 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (Source: 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour); 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream (Source: 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream); 1 teaspoon garlic powder (Source: 1 teaspoon garlic powder); 1/2 teaspoon salt (Source: 1/2 teaspoon salt); 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (Source: 1/8 teaspoon black pepper); 16 ounces pasta (see note) (Source: 16 ounces pasta (see note)); 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Source: 1/2 to 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; upper source range endpoint used for shopping.)

Get to know the ingredients

chicken broth (I use low-sodium)

In the method: Pour in the broth.

milk

In the method: Whisk or blend the milk and flour together until smooth.

heavy cream or whipping cream

In the method: Add to the pressure cooker along with the cream, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and pasta.

Let’s make it

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Servings

Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.

Estimating…

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3 cups chicken broth (I use low-sodium)
Ingredient note
Source: 3 cups chicken broth (I use low-sodium)
2 cups milk
Ingredient note
Source: 2 cups milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Ingredient note
Source: 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
Ingredient note
Source: 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Ingredient note
Source: 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Ingredient note
Source: 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredient note
Source: 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
16 ounces pasta (see note)
Ingredient note
Source: 16 ounces pasta (see note)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Ingredient note
Source: 1/2 to 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; upper source range endpoint used for shopping.

How to make it

0 of 5 steps complete

Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 6-quart electric pressure cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Pour in the broth.
Whisk or blend the milk and flour together until smooth. Add to the pressure cooker along with the cream, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and pasta. Stir to combine.
Secure the lid and set the valve to seal. Calculate the cooking time by taking the cooking time on the pasta package, cutting it in half and subtracting two more minutes. (So for pasta that cooks to al dente in 12 minutes, the IP cooking time would be 4 minutes.) Cook on high pressure for the calculated time.
Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. Quick release the remaining pressure. If liquid spurts through the valve, close the valve and try again in a few minutes. Remove the lid and give the pasta a good stir.
Add the Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serve immediately with more Parmesan and/or grilled chicken, if desired.

Make room for Instant Pot Pasta Alfredo

Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.

The last little job

Finish as directed

Serve immediately with more Parmesan and/or grilled chicken, if desired.

A few questions you might have

What should I prepare first?

Set out the pressure cooker. Start with this step: Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 6-quart electric pressure cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Which preparation step should I plan for?

Use the package directions where the method calls for them.

What happens at the end?

Serve immediately with more Parmesan and/or grilled chicken, if desired.

How do I plan the ingredient amounts?

This version serves 6. Use the ingredient amounts listed for that yield. If you change the number of portions, check equipment and the full method as well as the shopping quantities.

Additional recipe notes

Pasta: I’ve made this with everything from shells to penne. It’s very adaptable to different types of pasta, although I haven’t tried it with strand pasta, like spaghetti or fettuccine. Follow the instructions in step #3 to calculate exact cooking time. Cooking Time: if you plan to let the pressure naturally release fully, you may want to subtract a minute or two off the cooking time so the pasta doesn’t overcook.

Instant Pot Pasta Alfredo

1. Check the package directions

2. Follow the pressure release

3. Prepare the whisked mixture