You haven’t had Instant Pot pasta until you’ve had it with a flavorful chipotle tomato sauce and sausage!
This Instant Pot Pasta is, hands down, one of my favorite easy weeknight meals. Hear me out.
First of all, you know I love my Instant Pot. So much so, in fact, that I published an Instant Pot cookbook. My Instant Pot makes such quick work of our meals – and this Instant Pot Pasta takes just SIX MINUTES under pressure!
Secondly, this sauce. It is so incredibly simple yet so flavorful! I add chipotle and cumin to crushed tomatoes, garlic, and onion, which gives it just enough of a twist to make you feel like you’re shaking up your dinner routine.
Third, I use Italian Chicken Sausage. It’s packed with so much flavor! Plus it’s already cooked so the six minutes in the Instant Pot is perfect. It would be wonderful in ALL of your recipes, regardless of the method used to prepare it.
Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Pasta With Chipotle Tomato Sauce
Quick: With the Instant Pot, you can have a hearty pasta dish ready in a fraction of the time it would take on the stove.
Convenient: Everything cooks in one pot, minimizing cleanup and making meal preparation a breeze.
Nutritious: Using low-sodium chicken broth and lean Italian chicken sausage keeps the dish relatively healthy without sacrificing flavor.
Versatile: You can easily swap out ingredients to suit dietary restrictions or personal taste, making it a versatile recipe for various occasions.
Family Favorite: The combination of pasta, tomato sauce, and sausage is a classic crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, especially on busy weeknights.
Instant Pot Pasta With Chipotle Tomato Sauce Ingredients Notes
- Sausage: I use Italian chicken sausage, but you can use your favorite – sweet, mild, or hot, it’s your call here!
- Noodles: This recipe calls for spaghetti and the time in the IP is calculated for that. You can use any noodle that you prefer, however remember to adjust the time for thicker noodles like penne or farfalle.
- Tomatoes: A large can of crushed tomatoes mixed with low sodium chicken broth create the perfect base for the sauce. If you use diced tomatoes, I recommend pureeing them a bit before adding to the pot.
- Chipotle Peppers: These add a smoky, spicy kick to the tomato sauce, enhancing its depth of flavor.
- Aromatics: Garlic, onion, and cumin create the base for the flavors in this instant pot pasta recipe.
- Parmesan: The grated parmesan cheese adds a creamy, salty finish, while also providing an opportunity for presentation and extra flavor.
Find the complete Instant Pot Pasta ingredients list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How To Make Instant Pot Pasta With Chipotle Tomato Sauce
- Sauté: Press Sauté on your Instant Pot and allow it to preheat. When hot, add the olive oil. When oil is simmering, add onion. Cook until soft, stirring frequently, then add garlic and cumin. Sauté for another minute and turn off the IP.
- Add the rest: Stir in chicken broth, scraping the bottom a bit to release the browned bits. Add pasta and sausage. Pour tomatoes over the top, ensuring pasta is submerged, then add the chipotle peppers. Do not stir.
- Cook: Lock the lid and press Manual, set cooking pressure to high, and release valve to sealing. Set timer for 6 minutes.
- Finish: When time is up, use “Quick Pressure Release” to open, plate, top with parmesan, and serve.
Variations, Substitutions, & Cooking Tips
Vegetarian Option: Replace the Italian chicken sausage with plant-based sausage or crumbled tofu for a meat-free version and use veggie broth in place of chicken broth.
Gluten-Free: Substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta to accommodate gluten intolerance or preference.
Spice Level: Adjust the heat by varying the amount of chipotle peppers used. For a milder sauce, use only one pepper or omit them entirely. If you want it spicier, go ahead and add a bit of diced jalapeno to the pot as well, or a dash of crushed red pepper.
Herb Infusion: Enhance the flavor profile by adding fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, or parsley to the sauce before cooking.
Tomato Variations: Instead of regular tomatoes, try using fire-roasted tomatoes for added depth of flavor.
Add Vegetables: Boost the nutritional value by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the sauce for added texture and flavor.
Creamy Twist: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end of cooking for a creamy finish to the sauce.
Finish with Freshness: Top each serving with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro, green onions, or a squeeze of lime juice for a burst of freshness and color.
Instant Pot Pasta with Chipotle Tomato Sauce and Sausage
This Instant Pot Pasta takes just 6 minutes and is incredibly flavorful!
Ingredients
- 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 lb spaghetti, broken in half
- 1 package Italian Chicken Sausage (or your favorite)
- 2 chipotle peppers, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Press “Saute” to preheat your Instant Pot. When the word “hot” appears on the display, add the olive oil. When oil is shimmering, add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and cumin and cook for 1 more minute. Turn off the IP.
- Add the chicken broth and stir to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the pasta and sausage, then pour the tomatoes over the sausage (do not stir). Top with the chipotle chiles. (Be sure the pasta is submerged.)
- Close and lock the lid of the Instant Pot. Press “Manual” and immediately adjust the timer to 6 minutes. Check that the cooking pressure is on “high” and that the release valve is set to “Sealing”.
- When the time is up, open the pot using “Quick Pressure Release”. Top with parmesan and serve.
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