Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca (Vegan)

Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca is an easy vegan one-pot meal loaded with flavor. You don't even need to boil water to make this delicious Mediterranean dish featuring Kalamata olives, capers, and garlic.

Can you cook pasta in a pressure cooker?

Did you know you can cook pasta in an Instant Pot?

I didn't until my friend Kathy Hester came up with the easy instructions in her book The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook for Your Instant Pot.

Previously, I had been using this small appliance to make meals like Instant Pot Lentil Soup and Quinoa Burrito Bowls, but it never occurred to me to use it for pasta.

But it's such a smart idea, especially for busy people.

In addition, if you want to enjoy pasta during the summer, the pressure cooker won't heat up your kitchen.

Whatever the reason, if you have one of these amazing appliances, you'll want to try making Instant Pot pasta.

No boiling water

The greatest part about making a dish like Instant Pot pasta is you don't even have to boil water.

Or drain the pasta!

You simply add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot, give them a stir, then walk away for a few minutes until dinner is ready.

If you ask me, that's pretty amazing!

However, keep in mind that you will want to stick to short pastas, such as penne or fusilli.

And if you're following a gluten-free diet, I've found that the best types to use in the Instant Pot are ones made from corn, rice, and/or quinoa.

My favorites are blends such as corn and rice or quinoa and rice.

I recommend you experiment and see which ones you like the best.

What is Pasta Puttanesca?

The name Pasta Puttanesca translates to "whore's pasta," but there there are different theories as to how it got its name.

You can learn more about the history of this classic Mediterranean dish in the article The Sordid Story of Puttanesca, the Prostitute Pasta Sauce.

This delicious creation is made with pantry staples Italians tend to keep on hand.

Plus it takes little time to make, especially when you make it with Instant Pot pasta.

So perhaps it was an easy meal to throw together if one had little time between "business clients" and hadn't shopped for fresh ingredients.

Whatever the origin, I'm glad we can enjoy the combination of pasta, tomato sauce, garlic, olives, and capers today.

How to make Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca

Making pasta in an electric pressure cooking is really easy.

First saute some minced garlic in a little bit of water.

Next add the other ingredients to the Instant Pot:

• Pasta sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• Water
• Pasta
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Capers
• Sliced Kalamata olives

Then mix it all together, close the lid, and set the timer for 5 minutes.

Keep in the mind that the 5 minute cooking time does not include the time it takes for the IP to come up to pressure.

When the timer on the Instant Pot goes off, quick release the pressure, open the lid, and give it a good stir.

Season to taste with a little salt and pepper, and dinner is ready.

And you didn't even have to boil water or drain the pasta!

What makes this version vegan is that it doesn't include anchovies.

If you love this savory aromatic sauce, be sure to give Vegan Puttanesca Cauliflower Skillet a try.

And if you enjoy making Instant Pot pasta and are looking for more easy recipes to try, check put these popular ones:

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Coconut Jasmine Rice
• Vegan Wild Rice Soup
• Vegan Potato Corn Chowder
• Cilantro Lime Quinoa

Instant Pot Pasta Recipe

In order for the pasta to remain al dente, be sure to carefully release the pressure as soon as the 5 minutes is up.

Letting the pressure release naturally will result in overcooked pasta.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!