Instant Pot Pizza Pasta: The Ultimate Quick & Cheesy Family Meal

Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner! This Instant Pot Pizza Pasta is an absolute game-changer, combining the comforting flavors of a classic pizza with the satisfying heartiness of a pasta dish, all cooked quickly in your pressure cooker. Featuring savory sweet sausage, zesty pepperoni, briny black olives, and a generous layer of melted mozzarella, this dish is designed to be a definite crowd-pleaser that will impress the entire family. It’s incredibly easy to make, packed with flavor, and delivers a complete meal in under 30 minutes active cooking time.

If you’re new to the world of Instant Pot cooking, prepare to be amazed! We absolutely adore Instant Pot recipes for their unparalleled ease and speed. Imagine pasta cooked to perfection in just 3 minutes of pressure cooking – it truly is a culinary marvel. This Instant Pot Pizza Pasta isn’t just fast; it’s also incredibly delicious, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. And don’t worry if you don’t own an Instant Pot; we’ve included stovetop instructions so everyone can enjoy this fantastic dish!

Why You Need This Instant Pot Pizza Pasta in Your Life

This recipe isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a culinary experience that brings together two beloved comfort foods: pizza and pasta. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your home:

• Unbeatable Speed: With the magic of the Instant Pot, you can have a full, flavorful meal ready in record time. Perfect for those busy evenings when hunger strikes hard and fast.
• One-Pot Wonder (mostly): The Instant Pot minimizes cleanup, as the majority of the cooking happens in a single pot. Less washing up means more time to enjoy your meal with loved ones.
• Family-Friendly Flavors: Who doesn’t love pizza? This pasta dish captures all those familiar, delicious pizza toppings in a hearty, comforting format that even the pickiest eaters will adore.
• Customizable Fun: Just like pizza, this pasta is highly customizable. Add your favorite toppings and adjust the spices to suit your family’s preferences.
• Hearty & Satisfying: Loaded with pasta, sausage, pepperoni, and cheese, this dish is incredibly filling and satisfying, making it a complete meal on its own.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Instant Pot Pizza Pasta

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this incredible pizza pasta. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each:

• Penne Pasta: This short, tube-shaped pasta is ideal because it holds the rich sauce beautifully. However, feel free to use any short pasta of your choice, such as rotini, ziti, or cavatappi.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Opt for canned crushed tomatoes. They form the flavorful base of our sauce, providing a lovely rich and slightly chunky texture. High-quality canned tomatoes make a big difference!
• Pepperoni: Whether you prefer pork or turkey pepperoni, both work wonderfully. Cut them into quarters or small pieces for an even distribution of that classic pepperoni kick throughout the dish.
• Black Olives: Sliced black olives add a briny, earthy counterpoint to the rich meat and cheese. If you’re not a fan, you can omit them or substitute with green olives for a different flavor profile.
• Sweet Sausage: Ground sweet Italian sausage is highly recommended for this recipe. Its natural sweetness and fennel notes complement the other pizza flavors perfectly. You can also use mild or hot Italian sausage if you prefer, or even ground beef or turkey.
• Granulated Garlic: This provides a concentrated garlic flavor that permeates the entire dish.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of classic Italian herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, adding depth and authenticity to the sauce.
• Red Crushed Pepper: This is optional, but a pinch adds a lovely warmth and subtle heat that enhances the “pizza” experience. Adjust to your spice preference.
• Ground Onion: Offers a consistent onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.
• Onions: Freshly diced onions are sautéed with the sausage, building a foundational layer of flavor.
• Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds an aromatic punch and brightens the sauce.
• Oil: A good quality cooking oil like olive oil or avocado oil for sautéing.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together. Always season to taste!
• Water: Crucial for cooking the pasta in the Instant Pot and creating the perfect sauce consistency.
• Sugar: An optional but highly recommended addition. A small amount helps to balance the acidity from the crushed tomatoes, rounding out the sauce’s flavor beautifully.
• Mozzarella Cheese: The star of any pizza-inspired dish! Whether you use pre-shredded mozzarella, fresh mozzarella slices, or even a blend of Italian cheeses, ensure you have enough for a generous, melty topping.

Top Tips for The Perfect Instant Pot Pizza Pasta

Achieving restaurant-quality results at home is easy with these essential tips:

• Customize with Your Favorite Pizza Toppings: This is where the “pizza” really comes alive! Don’t limit yourself to the basic ingredients. If you love mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, or extra veggies on your pizza, go ahead and add them. Sauté heartier vegetables with the sausage, or stir in softer greens at the end.
• Do Not Overcook the Pasta: Three minutes of pressure cooking is usually plenty for penne pasta in the Instant Pot. The pasta will continue to cook slightly with the residual heat. You want it al dente – perfectly tender with a slight bite – not mushy.
• Prevent a Burn Notice – Deglaze the Pot: After adding the tomato sauce (and *before* adding the pasta and water), it’s crucial to deglaze the pot. Scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the Instant Pot liner with a wooden spoon. This prevents the “Burn” notice from occurring and ensures all those delicious browned flavors are incorporated into your sauce.
• Use an 8-Quart Instant Pot: While a 6-quart can work, an 8-quart Instant Pot is highly recommended for this recipe. It provides more space, preventing potential overflow and making it easier to stir and layer ingredients, especially when cooking for a family.
• Layering is Key for Instant Pot Success: When adding the crushed tomatoes, pasta, and water, avoid stirring after the crushed tomatoes. Layer the pasta on top, then pour the water over it. This layering technique helps prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom and contributing to a “Burn” notice, ensuring the pressure cooker builds pressure correctly.

How to Make Instant Pot Pizza Pasta (Instant Pot Method)

Get ready for an incredibly quick and easy meal with your pressure cooker! Here’s how to make this delicious pizza pasta:

1. Sauté the Sausage and Onions: Press the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once hot, add the 1 lb of ground sweet sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage as it cooks. After a few minutes, add the ½ finely diced onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is completely browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
2. Season It Up: Stir in the minced fresh garlic, 1 tsp granulated garlic, 1 tsp ground onion, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp red crushed pepper (if using), and a good pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Mix these spices thoroughly with the sausage and onions to ensure all the flavors meld together.
3. Add Tomatoes and Deglaze: Pour in the 28 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes and ¼ tsp sugar (if using). Stir well to combine. Now, with your wooden spoon, firmly scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot liner to ensure no bits of food are stuck. This deglazing step is vital to prevent a “Burn” notice.
4. Layer the Pasta and Water: Evenly spread the 1 lb penne pasta over the sauce. Do not mix the pasta into the sauce at this stage. Carefully pour 3 cups of water over the pasta. Gently press the pasta down with a spoon to ensure it’s mostly submerged, but again, avoid stirring everything together.
5. Pressure Cook to Perfection: Press the “Cancel” function to end the sauté cycle. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and set the valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) function and set the cooking time to 3 minutes on High Pressure.
6. Quick Release and Stir: Once the 3 minutes of pressure cooking are up, perform a quick release of pressure by carefully moving the sealing valve to the “Venting” position. Stand back to avoid the steam. Once all the steam has been released and the float valve drops, open the lid. Stir the pasta well, as some sauce might be at the bottom. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
7. Melt the Cheese and Serve: Cover the pasta generously with 6-8 slices of mozzarella cheese (or 1 cup shredded) and arrange 10 slices of pepperoni on top. Place the lid back on the Instant Pot (no need to seal the valve) and press the “Sauté” function again for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Alternatively, if your Instant Pot has a “Keep Warm” function, you can use that to melt the cheese slowly. Serve immediately and enjoy your incredibly delicious Instant Pot Pizza Pasta!

How To Make On The Stovetop (No Instant Pot? No Problem!)

You absolutely don’t need an Instant Pot to make this delicious, hearty pizza pasta. Here’s how you can achieve the same incredible flavors and satisfying meal right on your stovetop:

1. Brown the Sausage and Onions: Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat. Add the 1 lb ground sweet sausage and ½ finely diced onion. Cook, breaking up the sausage with a spoon, until the sausage is completely browned and the onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
2. Season the Meat: Stir in the minced fresh garlic, 1 tsp granulated garlic, 1 tsp ground onion, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp red crushed pepper (if using), and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes and ¼ tsp sugar (if using). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Cook the Pasta Separately: While the sauce simmers, cook the 1 lb penne pasta in a separate large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
5. Combine and Finish: Add the cooked and drained pasta directly to the simmering sauce. Mix well to ensure the pasta is fully coated. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
6. Broil for a Cheesy Top: Transfer the pasta mixture to a casserole dish or an oven-safe serving dish. Cover it generously with 6-8 slices of mozzarella cheese (or 1 cup shredded) and arrange 10 slices of pepperoni on top. Place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on it, until the cheese melts completely and is bubbly and slightly golden. Serve immediately and savor!

Storage and Reheating Tips

This Instant Pot Pizza Pasta makes for fantastic leftovers, perfect for meal prep or a quick lunch the next day. Here’s how to store and reheat it:

• Storing: Allow the pizza pasta to cool completely. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions. Place cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating (Microwave): For a quick reheat, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway, until heated through. You might want to add a splash of water or broth if it seems dry.
• Reheating (Stovetop): Transfer leftovers to a saucepan with a splash of water or broth. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
• Reheating (Oven): For best results, especially if reheating a larger batch or if you want that crispy cheese top, transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. For a fresh cheesy crust, uncover for the last few minutes or add a sprinkle of fresh mozzarella before baking.

What Can I Serve This With?

While this Instant Pot Pizza Pasta is a robust and delicious meal all on its own, pairing it with a simple side can elevate the dining experience. Here are some fantastic suggestions:

• Cheesy Garlic Bread: A classic pairing with any pasta dish, especially one with Italian flavors. The crunchy, garlicky bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
• Tomato Avocado Salad: A fresh, vibrant salad can provide a lovely contrast to the richness of the pasta. The creaminess of avocado and the acidity of tomatoes will cleanse the palate.
• Crisp Green Salad: A simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing balance.
• Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, zucchini, or asparagus, lightly roasted with olive oil and garlic, make a healthy and delicious side.
• Steamed Green Beans: Quick, easy, and a great way to add more greens to your meal.

More Delicious Pasta Recipes to Explore

If you loved this Instant Pot Pizza Pasta, you’re in for a treat! We have a plethora of other fantastic pasta dishes that are just as easy and flavorful. Be sure to check them out:

• Pesto Shrimp Spaghetti: A light, fresh, and aromatic dish bursting with the flavors of basil pesto and succulent shrimp.
• Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta: Indulge in a rich and velvety Alfredo sauce paired with tender shrimp, a true comfort food classic.
• Instant Pot Rasta Pasta: A vibrant and flavorful pasta dish with a creamy, spicy sauce, often featuring jerk chicken and colorful bell peppers.
• Chicken Thyme Pasta: A savory and fragrant pasta dish featuring tender chicken and the earthy notes of fresh thyme.

You can find even more delicious recipes and cooking tutorial videos on Youtube and Facebook.