Don’t we all love a bowl of pasta with tomato cream sauce? Everyone needs this incredibly delicious pasta in their dinner rotation. This easy Instant Pot Penne Pasta is ready in under 20 minutes and is something the whole family will enjoy!
This simple Italian recipe is perfect for those days when you don’t feel like chopping vegetables or washing extra dishes. The dish uses basic pantry ingredients which are dumped into the Instant Pot. Top with some freshly grated parmesan for a restaurant-quality dish that will be ready in no time.
Tomato cream sauce pasta can be prepared by novice as well as expert cooks. It perfectly fits my goal of enabling everyone to cook! This month I was approached by several mothers requesting cooking lessons for their teenagers. The more I understood how hectic and crazy their college schedules could be, the more I continued to develop simple recipes.
This recipe is created with a purpose, that makes sure that all of us can put together a quick meal that is fast, inexpensive and yet satisfying. I am so proud that this creamy tomato pasta has now become so popular not only with teenagers, but with their families as well.
Tips
MOC’s BEST Tips to make perfect Instant Pot pasta:
- Most of the pasta should be submerged under liquids
- Pressure cook time = Half the cook time on the box minus 1 minute
- Layer thicker liquids like tomato sauce on top
- Quick release after pressure cooking cycle is complete
- Always stir in cream, cheese etc after the pressure cooking cycle
Instructions
How to make the BEST creamy tomato pasta:
Step 1: Add pasta to the Instant Pot, add broth + water. Layer garlic, red chili pepper, salt and tomato sauce. Make sure to push all the pasta under liquids (photos 1 – 4).
Step 2: Close the Instant Pot lid and Pressure cook. Quick Release and then stir in the cream, grated parmesan and basil or parsley (photos 5 – 8).
Variations
- Saute tablespoon of fresh garlic and half a cup of diced onions in olive oil before adding the pasta
- Stir in a cup of frozen peas after the pressure cooking cycle
- Stir in a handful or two of fresh or frozen chopped spinach or kale after the pressure cooking cycle
- Use milk instead of heavy cream to lighten up the dish
- To make spicy tomato cream sauce add extra red chili flakes or skip them all together for a non-spicy pasta
How to Serve
When serving this pasta with tomato cream sauce, I often pair it with Instant Pot steamed broccoli. I also make the Instant Pot fudgy brownies for a fun meal that the entire family will enjoy.
Side Dish
Here is how to steam Broccoli in the Instant Pot. Stir it in garlic infused olive oil and you have a healthy side dish:
- Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert
- Place steamer basket and add broccoli florets cut into 3 inch pieces
- Close the Instant Pot lid with pressure valve to sealing
- Steam for 0 minutes at low pressure
- Quick release and open for perfectly cooked broccoli
- Stir fry thinly sliced garlic in olive oil and sauté steamed broccoli in the oil with a sprinkle of salt
Do you enjoy the ease and convenience of making pasta in Instant Pot? Here are some more pasta recipes:
- Pasta Caprese – Pasta tossed with tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
- Penne Alla Vodka – Italian classic pasta dish made in a creamy tomato, garlic, vodka sauce
- Spinach Artichoke Macaroni & Cheese – Lightened-up mac and cheese with the healthy addition of spinach and artichokes
- Spicy Taco Pasta – Spicy taco pasta with ground chicken, onions, jalapeños, cilantro and cheese
- Spinach Mushroom Lasagna – Lasagna layered with spinach, mushrooms, garlic and cheese
Here are some additional easy Instant Pot recipes:
- Chicken Marsala – chicken braised in buttery, wine soaked mushrooms and herbs
- Saffron Risotto – rice cooked in aromatic saffron, wine and parmesan cheese
- Chicken Noodle Soup with Kale – chicken noodle soup with kale cooked in under 30 minutes
I’ve even made these easy pasta dishes and served it with my french toast bread pudding when hosting my son’s friends on a Friday night. The kids devoured everything!
★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.
Penne Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked Penne Rigate ( ~ 6 cups)
- 2 cups low sodium broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups tomato sauce plain or marinara
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 1/4 cup basil or parsley chopped
Instructions
- Add the pasta, broth, garlic powder, red pepper, salt to the Instant Pot insert. Layer tomato sauce on top. Gently push all pasta under liquids. Do not mix.
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing. Press Manual / Pressure Cook (Hi) and adjust cook time to 4 minutes. Quick Release.
- Stir in the cream and mix until smooth. Add parmesan cheese and chopped basil or parsley.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Kel says
Very good, quick and simple! Was a bit watery but letting it cool for a while let the sauce thicken. The taste will definitely depend on your choice of marinara. Will make again 🙂
Archana says
Thank you for your feedback Kel. I agree it thickens up once its cooled down for 5 mins.
Kimberly Cherayil says
Hi I noticed that you requested 2 cups water, however I didn’t see in the recipe where you wanted to add the water? I’m thinking you forgot to add water when you added broth?
Archana says
Hi! So for the purpose of the video I had mixed in water with broth. Hope this helps
Erin says
This was my favorite IP pasta recipe so far! So easy and tasted fantastic. I used a roasted garlic marinara and skipped the garlic powder. For anyone making this the first time, the sauce is runny when you first mix in the cream, but definitely thickens up after 5 min or so.
Archana says
Thank you Erin! I am so glad you enjoyed it. I particularly love this recipe since my boys can make it easily too
Larissa says
This pasta is very delicious! My 9-year-old daughter and I loved this, especially because the sauce tasted like it had simmered for longer and the pasta with PERFECTLY al dente. I was surprised how flavorful it was even with plain tomato sauce. Thank you for sharing such a fantastic, quick recipe.
Archana says
You are welcome! Thank you for the feedback
Rajni says
Hi Archana,
Tried pasta recipe today. My family loved it. Yumm..
Pasta was perfectly cooked and taste was amazing. Thanks for tasty and easy recipe.
Archana says
You are most welcome!
Rachel says
Your receipe looking yummy. Which broth you used…can you please suggest.
Archana says
Better than Bouillon brand broth paste
Shweta says
We had this pasta for dinner tonite and it was such a hit !! Thank you for sharing an easy peasy recipe!
Archana says
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it
Roo says
This recipe was amazing! I used elbow macaroni and diced tomatoes because that’s what I had on hand, also reduced the time to 3 minutes and it was still so delicious! So creamy and tasty, my fave IP pasta recipe!
Archana says
Awesome!! Thank you for the feedback
Shannon says
My family loves this recipe! Is it ok to freeze leftovers?
Archana says
Thank you for the feedback. Yes you can freeze the leftovers
Asra says
What can I substitute for heavy cream. I don’t have it at the moment.
Can I use regular whole milk?
Archana says
You can use regular milk, the sauce will not be as creamy but still good!
Erica Khan says
Omg!!!!! I have a bowl of this in my hand right now. It’s cold out and this is so warm and comforting and delicious and super easy!!!!! Will make again and will also make for guests
Archana says
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed it. Its on repeat at my home and best part even the kids can make it 🙂
Dayn says
Not sure if I goofed on the amount of chili pepper flakes or not (1 tsp or 1/2 tsp used), but had a definite kick that my wife was unable to eat… 🙁
Will definitely make again (great flavor), but will be reducing the amount of chili flakes used to probably 1/4 tsp (at least for cooking).
Olive says
Thanks for the recipe Archana!
Would you please post a recipe for making marinara sauce?
Archana says
I will try to post recipe for marinara sauce 🙂
Bernadette says
Brilliant! That’s what i have in the house! And subbing goat cheese for the cream, in the house… and will let it sit 5 minutes. So looking forward to a bowl of comfort food. I’m also sneaking in a hill of shredded baby spinach with the basil (like you could really sneak green baby spinach into Anything; just not gonna mention it… just let it melt in). Thanks so much for this versatile recipe!!
Bernadette says
This was a big Hit. Someone wants the little bowl of leftovers for Breakfast, lol.
Masooma Z says
I have made this numerous times over now. It’s our favorite pasta recipe. Both kids and adults love this. I always make this for gatherings. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
Archana says
Thank you!
Deborah Essig says
Delicious easy recipe. I added chicken sausage and oregano and it is perfect.
Archana says
Thank you Deborah!
Bree says
I threw in a pinch of nutmeg to make a bit more of a robust flavor and it was very good.
Elyse says
We used marscapone instead of cream bc that I what I had on hand. We also added chicken sausage, and chopped fresh spinach at the end. This was a huge hit with my kids. I used rigatoni and cooked it for 6 minutes, it was perfect. Delicious recipe!!!
Shermin says
Hi, what would the cooking time be with rice pasta?
Archana says
Check the cook time on the package. Then divide that by half and minus 1. So if the cook time is 6 mins, I would pressure cook it for 2 mins.