Instant Pot Pasta with Italian Sausage

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 lb dried pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

10 minutes

Difficulty Level:

Easy (level 1)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Turn on the Instant Pot to the "Sauté" setting. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up into small pieces, until browned. Remove from the pot and set aside.
2. Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the pasta to the pot. It may not be completely submerged in liquid, but that's okay.
5. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to "Sealing." Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
6. Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before turning the valve to "Venting."
7. Stir in the browned sausage. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1 cup):

• Calories: 450
• Fat: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 75g
• Protein: 25g

Dish Characteristics:

• Creamy and savory with a kick from the Italian sausage
• Easy to prepare thanks to the Instant Pot
• Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal on a busy weeknight
• Customizable with your favorite vegetables or additional seasonings

User Comments:

• "This pasta dish was a huge hit at our dinner party. The flavors were delicious and the sausage added a nice richness." - John
• "I love that this recipe is so easy to make. It's my go-to meal for when I'm short on time but still want something flavorful." - Sarah
• "I added some chopped bell peppers and mushrooms to the recipe and it turned out even better. Definitely recommend experimenting with different ingredients." - Mary

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be sure to use a large enough Instant Pot to accommodate all the ingredients.
• If you don't have Italian sausage, you can substitute ground beef or turkey.
• If you like your pasta al dente, reduce the cooking time under pressure to 4 minutes.