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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Pasta Recipes

    Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca (Vegan)

    By: Amy Katz · Published: Jan 8, 2018 · Last modified: Oct 6, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe - Print - Pin
    Special diet: gluten-free option, nut-free, oil-free, soy-free, 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.

    Overhead view of a bowl of Pasta Puttanesca

    Table of Contents

    1. Can you cook pasta in a pressure cooker?
      1. No boiling water
        1. What is Pasta Puttanesca?
          1. How to make Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca
            1. Instant Pot Pasta Recipe

              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.

              Bowl of Pasta Puttanesca in front of Instant Pot pressure cooker

              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.

              Bowl of Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca with a fork in it

              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.

              Close up of bowl of pasta

              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!

              Bowl of pasta with fork

              Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca (Vegan)

              Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca is an easy one-pot vegan meal loaded with flavor from olives, capers, and garlic. And there's no need to boil water!
              4.78 from 22 votes
              Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate Email recipe + ingredient list
              Special diet: gluten-free option, nut-free, oil-free, soy-free, vegan
              Course: Pasta
              Cuisine: Italian
              Prep Time: 25 minutes
              Cook Time: 5 minutes
              Total Time: 30 minutes
              Servings: 4
              Calories: 504kcal
              Author: Amy Katz

              Equipment

              • Instant Pot

              Ingredients

              • 3 cloves garlic, minced
              • 4 cups pasta sauce, (homemade or store-bought)
              • 3 cups water
              • 4 cups pasta, such as penne or fusilli (short pasta) See Recipe Notes for gluten-free options
              • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
              • 1 Tablespoon capers
              • ½ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
              • salt, to taste
              • pepper, to taste
              US Customary - Metric
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              Instructions

              • Using the Instant Pot saute function, saute the garlic in a splash of water for about 30 seconds.
              • Hit the cancel button, then add the pasta sauce, water, pasta, crushed red pepper flakes, capers, and olives to the Instant Pot.
              • Mix the ingredients. Close and lock the lid.
              • Press the manual (pressure cook) button and set the timer for 5 minutes.
              • When the 5 minutes is up, immediately quick release the pressure by opening the valve. 
              • Once the pressure is released, open the lid. 
              • Stir the pasta, and add salt and pepper, if desired. Enjoy!

              Notes

              If using gluten-free pasta, opt for ones made from corn, rice, and/or quinoa for best results.
              Make sure to release the pressure immediately after the 5 minutes is up to prevent the pasta from overcooking.
              Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for up to 5 days.
               
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              Nutrition

              Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 1620mg | Potassium: 1070mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1165IU | Vitamin C: 17.8mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 4.1mg

              Nutritional information is an estimation only.

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              About Amy

              Amy Katz is a vegan recipe developer, photographer, and Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach. She loves sharing delicious plant-based Mediterranean diet recipes that home cooks of all levels can enjoy. Her easy vegan recipes have been featured on HuffPost, LIVESTRONG, Healthline, Parade, VegNews, BuzzFeed, MSN, Greatist, Country Living, Insider, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. She lives in Orange County, California with the love of her life, Brad, and their adorable black cat, Ozzy.

              Reader Interactions

              Comments

              All commentsI made thisQuestions
              1. B B

                October 03, 2021 at 8:46 am

                5 stars
                New IP user here, I have the 8 QT IP and would like to know if I should increase the amounts of ingredients? Any advice much appreciated 🙂

                Reply
                • Amy Katz

                  October 03, 2021 at 9:08 am

                  No, you can prepare the recipe exactly as written. No need to change the quantities or cooking time. Enjoy your new IP!

                  Reply

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              Hi, I'm Amy! As a Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach, my passion is creating vegan Mediterranean diet recipes to inspire everyone to choose plant-based meals more often. At Veggies Save The Day you'll find simple delicious recipes that are easy to make any night of the week.

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