Instant Pot Sausage Pasta

This Instant Pot sausage pasta is the perfect one-pot dinner for a busy weeknight. Ready in just 30 minutes, this delicious pasta dish only requires a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on time!

The Instant Pot has saved so many of my dinners over the years, and this Instant Pot sausage pasta is one of the things I absolutely love to cook in it.

If you’ve been on Skinny Spatula before, you know I live for pasta! Cooking it the proper traditional way is not the only way to go, though, especially when the kids are hungry and your hands are full.

Enter this Instant Pot pasta recipe that takes a lot less time and effort. Everything is cooked in one pot, and the flavors are pretty amazing.

The pasta is not overcooked, as it can easily happen in the pressure cooker, and you’ll barely know it’s not made on the stovetop.

Why you’ll love this Instant Pot sausage pasta

• Quick and easy prep — This recipe has just 10 minutes of hands-on time —just perfect for a busy weeknight.
• Super flavorful — Pressure cooking accentuates the natural flavors of ingredients, making the sausage pasta dish particularly tasty.
• Minimal clean-up — Everything is done in the Instant Pot, so there's less cleaning up to do afterward.

What goes into sausage pasta

Turkey sausage — I used turkey sausage in this pasta dish, but you can switch things up with chicken sausage, Italian sausage, or even a plant-based sausage.

If using sausages in casings, make sure to remove them before browning.

Onion and garlic — Fresh onion and garlic are best in this recipe. In a pinch, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder can replace a garlic clove.

Italian seasoning — If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, you can use a combination of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

Red pepper flakes — Adjust the quantity to your heat preference; a little goes a long way!

Red bell pepper — Feel free to switch up the color and use yellow or green bell peppers depending on what you have on hand.

Chicken stock — This recipe technically works with water, too, but using stock gives a richer depth of flavor compared to water.

Crushed tomatoes — You can also use whole canned tomatoes; just give them a quick blend or crush them with your hands. Tomato sauce or marinara sauce also works here.

Pasta — Any short pasta such as penne, rotini, or fusilli works well in this recipe.

Baby spinach — You can use kale, Swiss chard, or other leafy greens, but you may need to adjust the cooking time as they might need a bit longer to soften.

Mozzarella cheese — I used low-fat mozzarella cheese to keep things light, but you can use your favorite. You can also stir in some Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

How to make sausage pasta in the Instant Pot

Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté mode. Once it's hot, add the olive oil.

Add the turkey sausage to the pot, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks until it's browned and cooked through.

Next, add the diced onion and garlic and sauté until translucent.

Add the Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, and ground black pepper to the pot and stir well.

Stir in the red bell pepper and saute for 1-2 minutes more.

Pour in a small amount of the low-sodium chicken stock (or water) and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits

Add the crushed tomatoes and the rest of the chicken stock.

Add the short pasta, ensuring it's submerged in the liquid.

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position.

Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 3 minutes. Once the pasta has finished cooking, do a quick release of the pressure.

Stir in the spinach and cream and place the lid over the Instant Pot for 2-3 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.

Season to taste and serve immediately.

Leftovers and storage

• Place any leftover pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
• To reheat, transfer the pasta to a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and microwave on medium power, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
• This pasta dish freezes well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it in the microwave.

Recipe notes and tips

• For a touch of freshness, sprinkle some chopped fresh basil or parsley over the top before serving.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red chili flakes or add a splash of hot sauce.
• If you want to add more veggies, throw in some sliced mushrooms, diced zucchini, or even some frozen peas.
• Make the pasta dish creamy by stirring in some heavy cream with the spinach.

If you liked this Instant Pot sausage pasta recipe, you might also like some of my other easy Instant Pot recipes:

• Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
• Instant Pot Lasagna
• Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
• Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
• Instant Pot Chicken Curry

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