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Welcome to “10 Delicious Instant Pot Italian Recipes”! Let’s embark on a flavorful journey through Italy with the magic of our Instant Pot. This collection of recipes is crafted to bring the heart and soul of Italian cuisine right to our kitchen table, making it easier than ever to enjoy delightful dishes without spending hours cooking. From creamy risottos to savory pasta, we’re diving into a treasure trove of culinary delights that will tantalize our taste buds and bring a touch of Mediterranean warmth to our home. Have you ever found yourself craving a delicious Italian meal but were short on time to prepare it? We know the feeling. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Instant Pot Italian recipes that are easy, quick, and bursting with flavors. Using an Instant Pot, we can achieve professional-quality meals with minimal effort, allowing us more time to enjoy our food and less time stressing in the kitchen.

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What Makes Instant Pot Cooking Special?

The Instant Pot is a multi-functional kitchen device that can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and more. It’s essentially an all-in-one gadget that can help us whip up a variety of dishes in a fraction of the time traditional cooking methods would take. Plus, the even distribution of heat and sealed environment ensures that flavors meld beautifully, resulting in rich and delicious meals.

Benefits of Using an Instant Pot for Italian Cooking

1. Time-Saving: Dishes that traditionally require hours to cook, like risotto or braised meats, can be ready in under an hour.
2. Flavor Retention: The sealed cooking environment ensures all the delightful Italian flavors are intensified.
3. Versatility: From soups and stews to pasta and desserts, the Instant Pot can handle almost any recipe.
4. One-Pot Cooking: Less mess, less cleanup. Everything cooks in a single pot, making it easy for us to manage.

Recipe 1: Classic Instant Pot Spaghetti

Nothing says Italian comfort food like a big plate of spaghetti. Using the Instant Pot, we can infuse the pasta with the sauce right from the start, resulting in a rich, cohesive dish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 3 cups water
• 12 oz spaghetti, broken in half
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Sauté: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the meat is fully browned.
2. Add Sauce and Water: Stir in the marinara sauce and water.
3. Layer Spaghetti: Break spaghetti noodles in half and layer them over the meat mixture in a criss-cross pattern to prevent sticking.
4. Season: Add salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
5. Cook Under Pressure: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 8 minutes.
6. Quick Release: Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure.
7. Stir and Serve: Stir well to ensure the noodles are evenly coated with sauce. Serve hot.

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Recipe 2: Instant Pot Risotto Milanese

Risotto Milanese is a creamy, saffron-infused risotto that’s traditionally labor-intensive. Our Instant Pot method retains the creamy texture and rich flavor without the need for constant stirring.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp saffron threads
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Switch the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
2. Toast Rice: Add Arborio rice and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring continuously.
3. Add Liquid: Pour in the white wine and allow it to evaporate. Add chicken broth and saffron threads.
4. Cook: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 6 minutes.
5. Release Pressure: Allow a natural release for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release.
6. Finish Risotto: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Recipe 3: Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore is a robust, rustic dish that’s bursting with flavors from tomatoes, olives, and herbs. The Instant Pot transforms this dish into a weeknight wonder.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sear Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil. Sear chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
2. Cook Vegetables: In the pot, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until softened.
3. Deglaze: Pour in the white wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
4. Add Remaining Ingredients: Return the chicken to the pot, add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, olives, oregano, and basil.
5. Cook: Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 10 minutes.
6. Release Pressure: Perform a quick release once done.
7. Serve: Serve hot with a side of pasta or polenta.

Recipe 4: Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting, beautiful dish that pairs tiny meatballs with tender greens and pasta.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or pork
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup small pasta (like acini de pepe)
• 3 cups spinach or escarole, chopped

Instructions

1. Make Meatballs: Combine the ground meat, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Form small meatballs.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened.
3. Brown Meatballs: Add the meatballs to the pot, cooking until they are lightly browned.
4. Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and add the pasta.
5. Cook: Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 5 minutes.
6. Add Greens: Quick release the pressure, then stir in the spinach or escarole until wilted.
7. Serve: Ladle into bowls and enjoy hot.

Recipe 5: Instant Pot Italian Meatballs

Italian meatballs are a versatile dish that can be a standalone main or added to pasta. The Instant Pot ensures they’re juicy and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups marinara sauce

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into meatballs.
3. Sauté Meatballs: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Brown the meatballs in batches.
4. Add Sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the meatballs.
5. Cook: Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 10 minutes.
6. Serve: Use as desired, with pasta or as a sub.

Recipe 6: Instant Pot Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup is easier than layering a traditional lasagna but delivers all the same great flavors. It’s a hearty, comforting dish perfect for cooler weather.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (14.5 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions

1. Cook Sausage: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Brown the Italian sausage, breaking it up into crumbles.
2. Add Aromatics: Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, and oregano. Stir in the broken lasagna noodles.
4. Cook: Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 5 minutes.
5. Release Pressure: Perform a quick release.
6. Serve: Spoon the soup into bowls, and top with a dollop of ricotta cheese and shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese to finish.

Recipe 7: Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

Tuscan Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It’s perfect for a special dinner that feels luxurious but is easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat olive oil and brown chicken breasts on both sides. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Deglaze: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and oregano. Return the chicken breasts to the pot.
5. Cook: Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 8 minutes.
6. Add Spinach: Quick release the pressure and stir in the spinach until wilted.
7. Serve: Serve hot, with a side of rice or mashed potatoes.

Recipe 8: Instant Pot Beef Ragu

Beef Ragu is an Italian classic that pairs perfectly with pasta or polenta. The Instant Pot melds the flavors beautifully, creating a rich, hearty dish.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown Beef: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat olive oil and brown beef cubes. Remove and set aside.
2. Cook Aromatics: Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Deglaze: Pour in red wine, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and return the beef to the pot.
5. Cook: Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 35 minutes.
6. Release Pressure: Perform a quick release.
7. Serve: Serve over pasta or polenta for a complete meal.

Recipe 9: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup is a hearty, vegetable-packed soup that is both healthy and filling. The Instant Pot makes it easy to prepare this classic dish.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini)
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat olive oil and cook onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
2. Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and cannellini beans. Stir in zucchini, pasta, basil, and oregano.
3. Cook: Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 5 minutes.
4. Release Pressure: Perform a quick release.
5. Serve: Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Recipe 10: Instant Pot Tiramisu Cheesecake

While Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert, this Tiramisu Cheesecake combines the best of both worlds into an easy-to-make, luxurious dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tbsp instant espresso powder, divided
• 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup brewed espresso, cooled
• Cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions

1. Prepare Crust: In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1 tbsp instant espresso powder. Press into the bottom of a springform pan.
2. Make Filling: In a mixer, combine cream cheese, sugar, eggs, mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, and remaining espresso powder. Mix until smooth.
3. Add Filling to Crust: Pour filling over the crust.
4. Prepare Instant Pot: Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot. Place the springform pan on a trivet and lower it into the pot.
5. Cook: Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 35 minutes.
6. Natural Release: Allow natural release for 20 minutes, then perform a quick release.
7. Chill: Remove the cheesecake and let it cool. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
8. Finish and Serve: Brush the top with brewed espresso and dust with cocoa powder before serving.

We hope you’re inspired to make some of these delicious Instant Pot Italian recipes. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight meal or a special occasion, these recipes are designed to be both simple and satisfying. Happy cooking!

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