This Instant Pot Creamy Sausage Pasta is perfect for busy weeknights or any time you want a hearty, satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. With simple ingredients and the convenience of the Instant Pot, you’ll have a rich, creamy pasta the whole family will enjoy. Follow the steps below to make this easy one-pot meal.
If you like sausage recipes, try the Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies for another simple option.
💬 Quick Tip for Busy Nights
If you love Instant Pot meals that work for a family, consider trying an Instant Pot recipe collection with easy, weeknight-friendly dishes.
⭐Why This Recipe Works
- One-pot cooking keeps cleanup quick and simple.
- The combination of Italian sausage, garlic, and Parmesan creates a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish, it’s ideal for busy evenings.
🥣Ingredient Notes
- Ground Italian Sausage – Sweet sausage works well, or choose hot for extra heat.
- Pasta Sauce – Use any jarred marinara or pasta sauce you prefer for convenience.
- Chicken Broth – The pasta cooks in the broth, which adds flavor and prevents sticking.
- Heavy Cream – Gives the sauce a silky, rich texture.
- Rigatoni Noodles – Short, ridged pastas (like penne or spirals) hold the sauce best.
📋Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode.
STEP 2: Add the ground sausage and brown it, breaking it up as it cooks.
STEP 3: Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
STEP 4: Add the pasta sauce, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
STEP 5: Add the rigatoni, pushing the noodles down so they are submerged in the liquid.
STEP 6: Close the lid and set the valve to sealing.
STEP 7: Pressure cook on high for 6 minutes.
STEP 8: When cooking finishes, perform a quick release by switching the valve to venting. When pressure is fully released, open the lid carefully.
STEP 9: Stir in the grated Parmesan until the sauce is smooth and well combined. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve.
👩🏻🍳Expert Tips
Tip 1: Use chicken broth instead of water to cook the pasta—the extra flavor makes a noticeable difference and helps keep the noodles from sticking.
Tip 2: For a truly rich, smooth sauce, use heavy cream rather than milk.
🤷🏻♀️Recipe FAQs
Swap sweet Italian sausage for hot Italian sausage, or add red pepper flakes to taste.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce has thickened.
🍲 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
-
Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs
-
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
-
Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Pancetta
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni
Vicky
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Sausage
- 3 Cups Chicken Broth
- 24 oz Pasta Sauce
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Tbs Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 16 oz Rigatoni Noodles
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté.
- Add and brown the ground sausage, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping the bottom.
- Add pasta sauce, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Add rigatoni, ensuring it’s submerged in the liquid.
- Close the lid and set the valve to sealing.
- Pressure cook on high for 6 minutes.
- Quick-release the pressure, then carefully open the lid.
- Stir in the Parmesan until smooth. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of water to cook the pasta for extra flavor and to prevent sticking.
- Heavy cream yields a richer, smoother sauce than milk.
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on ingredients and portions.
Nutrition
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