Some nights you want a real dinner, not a sink full of pots. These 35 one-pot pasta dinners from Fork To Spoon are the answer. The pasta, sauce and protein all cook together in your Instant Pot, slow cooker or Ninja Foodi, so there’s no boiling a giant pot of water and no draining.
There’s a bonus beyond easy cleanup. Because the pasta cooks right in the liquid that becomes the sauce, it soaks up all that flavor instead of sending it down the drain.
Below you’ll find creamy mac and cheese and Alfredo, hearty chicken pastas, beefy spaghetti and meatball dinners, cozy noodle soups and a couple of make-ahead pasta salads. Bookmark this list and you’ll never wonder what to make on a Tuesday again.
How to Make One-Pot Pasta in an Instant Pot, Slow Cooker or Ninja Foodi
One-pot pasta works by cooking dry pasta in just enough liquid to be absorbed by the time it’s tender. These tips from the recipes below will help you get it right every time:
- Keep the pasta submerged. Press the noodles down so the liquid just covers them. Any pasta sticking out stays hard.
- Crisscross long pasta. Break spaghetti in half and layer it in different directions so it doesn’t clump.
- Don’t stir after the pasta goes in. Letting the pasta sit on top of the sauce under pressure helps keep it from sticking and scorching.
- Add dairy after pressure cooking. Cream and cheese on the bottom of the pot can trigger the burn warning. Stir them in once the lid comes off.
- Use quick release. A natural release keeps cooking the pasta and can turn it mushy.
- Choose short, sturdy shapes. Penne, rotini, rigatoni, bow ties and elbows hold up best. Angel hair turns mushy under pressure.
- In the slow cooker, add pasta at the end. Stir it in for the last stretch of cooking so it finishes tender, not soggy.
Creamy, Cheesy One-Pot Pasta Recipes
1. Instant Pot Copycat Parmesan Pasta Roni
A from-scratch take on the boxed classic, with thin spaghetti, butter, garlic, real cream and Parmesan. It’s ready in about 15 minutes, and you can stir in chicken, shrimp or broccoli to make it a full dinner.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Copycat Parmesan Pasta Roni
2. Instant Pot Panera Mac and Cheese
This copycat of the café favorite is made with real cheese instead of Velveeta. Elbow macaroni cooks in the Instant Pot and gets coated in a rich, creamy sauce in about 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Panera Mac and Cheese
3. Chili’s White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Copycat
An Instant Pot mac loaded with cheddar, Parmesan, mozzarella, cream cheese and heavy cream. Add a dash of hot sauce if your family likes a little kick.
Get the recipe: Chili’s White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Copycat
4. Instant Pot Copycat Kraft Mac and Cheese
All the nostalgia of the blue box, made at home. The macaroni pressure cooks for just 2 minutes before you stir in the cheese mix and milk.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Copycat Kraft Mac and Cheese
5. Instant Pot Boxed Mac and Cheese
The easiest trick for any brand of boxed mac, from Kraft to Annie’s to store brand. Four minutes of cook time, no boiling water and no draining.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Boxed Mac and Cheese
6. How to Make Pasta Roni in the Instant Pot
Turn any flavor of boxed Pasta Roni into a hands-off meal. Just cover the noodles with water and pressure cook for 4 minutes.
Get the recipe: How to Make Pasta Roni in the Instant Pot
7. Ninja Foodi Chicken Alfredo
Chicken and pasta cook together under pressure in just 5 to 6 minutes, then get tossed in a silky Alfredo sauce. Serve it with garlic bread to soak up every drop.
Get the recipe: Ninja Foodi Chicken Alfredo
8. Instant Pot Pasta Carbonara
Crispy pancetta, garlic, Pecorino Romano, Parmesan and eggs make a rich, restaurant-style sauce. The pasta cooks right with the sauce for a true one-pot meal.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Pasta Carbonara
9. Instant Pot Bacon Carbonara
A budget-friendly carbonara made with crispy bacon instead of pancetta. The egg and Parmesan sauce turns silky without scrambling.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Bacon Carbonara
One-Pot Chicken Pasta Dinners
10. Instant Pot Chili’s Copycat Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun-spiced chicken and penne in a rich cream sauce with a touch of Parmesan. It brings the restaurant favorite home with a satisfying kick.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chili’s Copycat Cajun Chicken Pasta
11. Ninja Speedi Cajun Chicken Pasta
The same bold Cajun flavor, made in the Ninja Speedi. You sauté the chicken, cook the pasta and make the creamy sauce all in one appliance.
Get the recipe: Ninja Speedi Cajun Chicken Pasta
12. Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Rotini, chicken, salsa and smoky fajita seasoning pressure cook in just 4 minutes. Stir in peppers, cream and cheese at the end for a Tex-Mex dinner in under 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
13. Easy Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta
Tender chicken, cherry tomatoes and a homemade cashew basil pesto come together in under 30 minutes. It’s fresh, garlicky and family-friendly.
Get the recipe: Easy Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta
14. Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (BWW Copycat)
Inspired by Buffalo Wild Wings’ garlic Parmesan flavor. The chicken slow cooks in a creamy sauce, and the rotini goes in at the end so it soaks up every bit of garlicky goodness.
Get the recipe: Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
15. Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
All the comfort of chicken pot pie without the crust. Chicken, veggies and pasta cook in a creamy sauce with about 10 minutes of prep.
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
16. Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles With Cream of Mushroom Soup
Egg noodles cook right in the pot, then shredded chicken gets stirred back in for a creamy, cozy bowl. Pure comfort food on a busy night.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles
17. Instant Pot Chicken Ramen
Tender chicken, vegetables and ramen noodles in a savory broth, ready in about 30 minutes. It beats the instant packets every time.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Ramen
One-Pot Beef, Sausage and Red Sauce Pastas
18. Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
Skip the box and make this cheesy ground beef and elbow macaroni dinner from scratch. It’s a nostalgic favorite that’s fast and easy to clean up.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
19. Instant Pot Ground Beef and Pasta
Beefy, cheesy and saucy, with the pasta cooking right in the sauce. A great last-minute dinner that kids and adults both love.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Ground Beef and Pasta
20. Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
Tastes rich and decadent but couldn’t be easier. Savory ground beef, tender pasta and a gooey blend of cheeses slow cook into a picky-eater-approved dinner.
Get the recipe: Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
21. Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs and Egg Noodles
Classic meatballs in a creamy gravy with soft egg noodles. It comes together quickly and is always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs and Egg Noodles
22. Quick and Easy Ninja Foodi Spaghetti
Meat sauce and spaghetti cook together in the Ninja Foodi in under 30 minutes. Break the noodles in half and lay them in a crisscross pattern so they cook evenly.
Get the recipe: Quick and Easy Ninja Foodi Spaghetti
23. Ninja Speedi Spaghetti and Meatballs
The noodles cook in the sauce down below while the meatballs cook on the crisper tray above. A clever, fast weeknight dinner.
Get the recipe: Ninja Speedi Spaghetti and Meatballs
24. Instant Pot Penne With Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Savory crumbled sausage, slightly bitter broccoli rabe and penne in under 30 minutes. A hearty dinner with some greens built in.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Penne With Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
25. Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro Tortellini
Cheese tortellini, marinara, spinach and mozzarella go into the pot and slow cook on high for about an hour. Works in any slow cooker, too.
Get the recipe: Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro Tortellini
26. Instant Pot Ravioli
Frozen ravioli pressure cooks in just 4 minutes. Toss with your favorite pasta sauce for an easy meal the whole family will love.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Ravioli
One-Pot Pasta and Noodle Soups
27. Copycat Instant Pot Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup
Shredded chicken, tender noodles and carrots in a rich broth. It tastes just like the café version and comes together quickly.
Get the recipe: Copycat Instant Pot Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup
28. Jason’s Deli Chicken Noodle Soup
A homestyle classic loaded with tender chicken, egg noodles, carrots, celery and herbs in a flavorful broth.
Get the recipe: Jason’s Deli Chicken Noodle Soup
29. Bob Evans Chicken Noodle Soup
A warm, comforting copycat of the Bob Evans favorite that reminds you of cozy family dinners. Make it often.
Get the recipe: Bob Evans Chicken Noodle Soup
30. Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Soft gnocchi, chicken and spinach in a thick, creamy broth, just like the restaurant’s. Serve it hot with grated cheese.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
31. Instant Pot Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
Loaded with vegetables, beans and pasta in a tomato broth. Hearty enough to be a meal, and the leftovers are great.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
32. Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup
Meatballs, spinach and small pasta in chicken broth, ready in less than 30 minutes. Make the meatballs ahead and freeze them for even faster dinners.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup
33. Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup (Ina Garten-Inspired)
Chicken meatballs, tiny orzo and spinach simmer all day in a rich broth finished with fresh dill and lemon. Cozy, brothy and completely hands-off.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup
Make-Ahead One-Pot Pasta Salads
34. Instant Pot BLT Pasta Salad
Bacon, tomatoes and pasta tossed in a creamy dressing. The pasta cooks in the pressure cooker, so you don’t heat up the kitchen on hot summer nights.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot BLT Pasta Salad
35. Instant Pot Suddenly Salad
A quick upgrade to the boxed pasta salad mix. Stir in rotisserie chicken, bacon, cheese and veggies to turn it into a light dinner.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Suddenly Salad
One-Pot Pasta FAQs
Can you cook pasta in the Instant Pot without draining it?
Yes. Add just enough liquid to cover the pasta, and it absorbs most of it as it cooks. The liquid that’s left becomes the base of your sauce, so there’s nothing to drain.
How long do you pressure cook pasta in the Instant Pot?
Most short pasta needs only 2 to 5 minutes on high pressure, followed by a quick release. A common rule of thumb is about half the cook time listed on the box.
Why does my Instant Pot say burn when I make pasta?
Dairy or thick sauce on the bottom of the pot can scorch and trip the burn sensor. Add cream and cheese after pressure cooking, and keep the pasta sitting on top of the liquid instead of stirring it in.
What is the best pasta shape for one-pot recipes?
Short, sturdy shapes like penne, rotini, rigatoni, bow ties and elbows work best. Angel hair turns mushy under pressure, and long pasta should be broken in half and crisscrossed.
Can you cook pasta in a slow cooker?
Yes, but add it near the end of the cook time so it stays tender instead of soggy. For soups you plan to store, cook the pasta separately since it keeps absorbing broth overnight.
How do you store and reheat one-pot pasta?
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce.
Make Dinner Easier With One Pot
With these 35 one-pot pasta dinners, you’ve got more than a month of weeknight meals and far fewer dishes. Start with a creamy classic like Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta, set up Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta before work, or warm up with a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup.
Which one-pot pasta will you make first? Tell us in the comments, and pin this post so you have it the next time you need a fast, satisfying dinner.
Looking for more easy pasta ideas? Check out 50 Instant Pot Pasta Meals That Don’t Skimp on Flavor and 15 Chicken Pasta Dinner Recipes.
