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    Home » Italian

    Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka

    Published: Mar 12, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 49 Comments

    4300 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Penne Alla Vodka is a classic Italian pasta dish with a smooth and creamy tomato-based sauce. This restaurant-favorite dish is simple to make at home using the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

    Penne Alla Vodka in 2 white bowls

    I love to cook food that I have enjoyed in restaurants and Penne Alla Vodka is one of my favorites. I have made this pasta on the stovetop for a long time and couldn't wait to try it in my Instant Pot. So quick, easy, and perfect every time!!⁠⁠

    Note: Original post published in April 2017 has been updated with new photos and a video.

    Jump to:
    • Pasta in the Instant Pot
    • Tips for perfect Instant Pot Pasta
    • Adding Vodka to Pasta
    • Instant Pot Pasta Cook Time
    • Variations
    • Process
    • Serving
    • How to add protein or veggies to Penne Alla Vodka
    • Recipe

    Pasta in the Instant Pot

    So why Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot? The answer is simple - Cooking the pasta in the Instant Pot gives it a naturally creamy texture as it does require draining the excess water after pressure cooking. The starchy pasta water adds a great texture and flavor to the final dish.

    penne alla vodka in a white bowl garnished with basil
    made with gluten-free brown rice pasta

    Tips for perfect Instant Pot Pasta

    • Add enough water/broth/tomato sauce so that most of the pasta is under the liquids
    • Always layer the pasta sauce on top of the water or broth and do not mix it in. This will prevent the dreaded BURN error.
    • For well-cooked pasta, pressure cook pasta for half the time on the pasta box
    • For Al dente pasta, pressure cook for half the time on the pasta box minus 1 minute
    • Always add cream after the pasta is done pressure cooking
    • Quick releasing after pressure cooking will prevent the pasta from overcooking

    Adding Vodka to Pasta

    Ever wonder what flavors Vodka adds to this pasta dish? Here are a few things vodka does:

    • Adds a touch of heat and sharpness
    • Helps balance the sweetness of tomatoes and cream
    • For anyone wondering - most of the alcohol in this recipe is cooked off and the pasta is completely safe even for kids to enjoy.
    • For more info check out this article from Serious Eats
    penne alla vodka pasta in a bowl

    Instant Pot Pasta Cook Time

    This recipe works well with regular pasta as well as gluten-free pasta. Here are a few basic things you may find useful when you are trying to figure out the Instant Pot pasta cook times for any variety of pasta.

    • For regular pasta, check the cook time on the box. If you like well-cooked pasta, pressure cook it for half the time on the pasta package. So if the Package says 10 minutes, pressure cook for 5 minutes.
    • If you like your pasta al dente, half the time from the package and minus one minute. So if the Package says 10 mins, pressure cook for 4 mins
    • I love Trader Joe's gluten-free pasta varieties. I have used the brown rice pasta in this recipe which has cook time of 7 - 10 minutes. So for al dente pasta I pressure cook it for 4 mins followed by quick release

    Variations

    • Don't have marinara sauce. Here are some other substitutes that also work equally well: diced ripe plum tomatoes, canned tomato puree, Puree a can of peeled plum tomatoes, and add minced fresh garlic to it
    • If you do not have Vodka or do not want to use it, simply use equal amount of broth instead
    Pasta with creamy vodka sauce garnished with parsley, parmesan and red chili flakes

    Process

    Step by Step Recipe to make Penne Alla Vodka in the Instant Pot

    Step 1: Turn the Instant Pot to Saute mode and heat oil. Add onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes with a glass lid on. Add vodka, mix well and cook for another 2 mins to reduce the vodka.

    photos one and two showing sautéing aromatics in the Instant Pot

    Step 2: Add pasta, salt, water, and tomato puree. Close the Instant Pot and Pressure cook for 4 minutes (Please check the notes on the recipe card for the pressure cooking times of different types of pasta)

    photos three and four showing cooking of pasta in the Instant Pot

    Step 3: Quick release the pressure and open the lid. Stir in cream. Add parsley and grated cheese. Mix well and Serve hot.

    Photos five and six with cooked pasta in the Instant Pot

    Serving

    Serve pasta with a side of Air Fried Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts or String Beans. Pair it with the Almond Flour Brownies for a fun meal that the entire family will enjoy.

    How to add protein or veggies to Penne Alla Vodka

    • Sauté 1-inch cubes of boneless chicken thighs along with the onions and follow the remaining recipe
    • Sauté shrimp, peas or mushrooms in the Instant Pot as the first step in some oil with salt and pepper. Keep them aside and follow the rest of the recipe. Simply add the sauteeted shrimp or veggies on the pasta before serving
    • Stir in few handful of baby spinach after the pressure cooking cycle completed

    Here are some more family favorite Instant Pot Pasta recipes:

    • Pasta Caprese
    • Spicy Taco Pasta 
    • Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese
    • Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
    • Spinach Mushroom Lasagna

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    Penne alla vodka in a white bowl
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.56 from 74 votes

    Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka

    Italian classic pasta dish made in a creamy tomato, garlic, vodka sauce
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Pasta
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 457kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound pasta
    • 28 oz marinara sauce
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 small yellow onion diced
    • 6 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
    • ½ cup vodka
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 cups water
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • ¼ cup parmigiano reggiano grated
    • ¼ cup Parsley chopped

    Instructions

    • Turn the Instant Pot to Saute mode and heat oil.
    • Add onions, garlic and red pepper flakes. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes with a glass lid on.
    • Add vodka, mix well and cook for another 2 minutes to reduce down the vodka.
    • Add pasta, water, and salt. Stir well, making sure to push most of the pasta under the liquids. Layer over the tomato puree or sauce and DO NOT mix. Close the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 4 minutes followed by Quick Release.
    • Stir in cream. Add parsley and grated cheese. Mix well and serve hot.

    Video

    Notes

    1. Liquids: Add enough water/broth/tomato sauce so that most of the pasta is under the liquids. Depending on the shape of the pasta you may need more or fewer liquids.
    2. Tomato Sauce: Layer the marinara sauce on top of the pasta and do not mix it in
    3. Pasta Cook Times: For a well-cooked pasta, pressure cook pasta for half the time on the pasta box. For Al dente pasta, pressure cook for half the time on the pasta box minus 1 minute. This method also works well for gluten-free brown rice pasta. 
    4. Cream: Always add cream after the pasta is done pressure cooking

    Nutrition

    Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1141mg | Potassium: 475mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1207IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    ♥ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Loretta says

      April 21, 2017 at 8:09 am

      You certainly are on your instant pot kick eh? It looks delicious. How does that differ from a pressure cooker? I have neither and don't have the room either, but was just curious?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 21, 2017 at 9:40 pm

        Thank you Loretta! It is an electric pressure cooker that cooks food much faster without having to baby sit the food while it is cooking. It also has an sauté option, so you can sauté your onions and garlic before making some dishes so there is more flavor. And lastly makes great homemade yogurt!!

        Reply
      • DCN says

        February 20, 2018 at 7:11 pm

        Some instant pots can do pressure cooking as well as other things like slow cooker and steaming as well. But it's difficult if not impossible to do those things with a pressure cooker.

        Reply
        • Archana says

          February 21, 2018 at 10:45 am

          All Instant Pots have steam and slow cooker options. I agree it can be also achieved with a traditional pressure cooker.

          Reply
    2. Hans Susser says

      April 21, 2017 at 8:39 pm

      Great looking dish 🙂
      Cheers !

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 21, 2017 at 9:40 pm

        Thank you Hans!

        Reply
    3. Miki says

      April 26, 2017 at 12:47 pm

      Just wanted to stop by and thank you for this fabulous recipe. I made it last night, but substituted gin for the vodka (don't judge - it's a real thing!). I took your suggestion and used my immersion blender on whole Marzano canned tomatoes, and tossed in some baby spinach leaves when it was done. Yum! Will be trying your other recipes as well. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 26, 2017 at 1:27 pm

        Hi Miki, Thank you so much for taking time to give me your feedback. So judgements - Vodka, Gin, all good!! Love adding Spinach to the pasta too. Hope you enjoy rest of my recipes too.

        Reply
    4. S says

      August 10, 2017 at 11:45 am

      This looks SO good, cant wait to try this in my Instant Pot. I hope you continue posting more IP recipes that are vegetarian friendly. My mom and sister love your site too 🙂

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 10, 2017 at 12:59 pm

        Hi Sujana! Pasta comes out so creamy in the Instant Pot and this recipe is better than any restaurant penne all vodka I have had. So happy to hear that your sister and mom also love my recipes. Thank you for your feedback, they make my day 🙂

        Reply
    5. kt3us says

      September 19, 2017 at 4:45 am

      This sounds wonderful and looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing this! You have so many great recipes that i have never tried that I would love to. kelly tupick

      Reply
      • Archana says

        September 19, 2017 at 12:40 pm

        Thank you Kelly!

        Reply
    6. Mina says

      November 13, 2017 at 5:49 pm

      Any good substitutes for Vodka? We can’t use alcohol in our food. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 13, 2017 at 5:49 pm

        Just skip it or add veggie broth

        Reply
    7. Lakshmi says

      January 22, 2018 at 10:55 am

      Can I add water instead of vodka?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 22, 2018 at 2:57 pm

        yes. use the water to deglaze the pot.

        Reply
    8. Ash says

      January 24, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      I want to try this. Can I skip Vodka in this recipe
      ?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 24, 2018 at 5:39 pm

        Yes! You can skip vodka.

        Reply
    9. Sej says

      January 29, 2018 at 1:11 pm

      I bought Victoria's vodka sauce. How much do I use for regular Barilla penne pasta?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 30, 2018 at 11:30 pm

        I would add half of the pasta sauce and remaining water(to help Instant Pot come to pressure properly) until most of the pasta is under water. You can stir in remaining sauce after the pressure cooking cycle is complete.

        Reply
    10. Elena says

      February 26, 2018 at 8:13 pm

      I made this tonight, it was WONDERFUL. I modified it a smidge; I used half&half instead of heavy cream (because that's what I had on hand) and I only used 3/4 of a box of store brand dry pasta penne (I wanted it to be more saucy). I cooked it for 3 min and I've just impressed my very picky parents xD

      thanks for this 🙂 ♥

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 26, 2018 at 10:56 pm

        Hi Elena! Thank you for your lovely feedback. So happy to hear that your parents enjoyed it too.

        Reply
    11. Kanu says

      April 17, 2018 at 1:22 am

      What kinds of vodka do you use for cooking?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 17, 2018 at 6:23 am

        Smirnoff works well for me. But any vodka should do.

        Reply
    12. Binta says

      August 28, 2018 at 6:34 pm

      Loved the recipe! I got a burnt error though. I added more water and tried to cook it until the pasta was done. Added veggies at end. Any way to avoid the burnt message in this recipe? I added vodka pasta sauce to the TJ brown rice pasta. I did add water but maybe not enough?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 29, 2018 at 12:31 pm

        Hi Binta, yes the regular vodka sauce is on the thicker side and will need additional 1/2 cup of water. Also just layer the sauce over the pasta. You do not need to mix in.

        Reply
    13. Donna says

      December 02, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      Do you increase cooking time when you double the recipe?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 03, 2018 at 9:46 am

        Hi Donna, Same Pressure cooking time. Only the Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure.

        Reply
    14. Gary says

      January 16, 2019 at 12:23 pm

      Can you substitute milk for heavy cream? If so, how much milk to use?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 16, 2019 at 10:50 pm

        Yes! Same amount

        Reply
    15. EJ says

      January 19, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      Instead of puréed tomatoes can I add tomato sauce?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 19, 2019 at 5:26 pm

        Yes! That works well too.

        Reply
    16. EC says

      January 30, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      So if you use Trader Joe’s brown rice penne do you pressure cook for 7-10 minutes instead of 4?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 31, 2019 at 3:32 pm

        Cook it for 4 mins. I used Trader Joe's brown rice pasta in this recipe. I mentioned the cook times on the
        package just as a reference.

        Reply
    17. CC says

      February 14, 2019 at 12:44 pm

      Thanks for the recipe! The video has the tomato sauce mixed in instead of layered on top of the water mentioned in the tips. Which method is better?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 15, 2019 at 10:04 pm

        Layer on top as mentioned in the tips.

        Reply
    18. Christina says

      March 31, 2019 at 3:32 am

      Hi! I’m so excited to try this! Any recommendations if I wanted to add ground meat?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 31, 2019 at 7:13 am

        Add ground meat after onions and cook for a minute breaking it in. Make sure to deglaze the Pot well with the vodka so there is no food sticking at the bottom of the pot. Hit cancel on sauté while you deglaze so the pot does not overheat. Enjoy, this is a delicious meal ❤️

        Reply
    19. Ishita says

      June 29, 2019 at 11:11 pm

      How do I make just the sauce?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        June 30, 2019 at 7:48 am

        Sauce can be made on the stove top or just sauté mode on instant pot. Follow same steps minus the pasta. No need to pressure cook.

        Reply
    20. Archana Patel says

      December 18, 2019 at 10:17 am

      Hi, Can I double or triple the recipe and make in a 6 quart? Will the cook time remain the same?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 18, 2019 at 11:09 pm

        I would suggested cooking only 1 box of pasta at a time in 6 QT to avoid mushy pasta on the bottom of the pot.

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

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