Instant Pot Parsley Penne Pasta Recipe
Are you ready for the most delicious bowl of penne pasta you’ve ever tasted? This flavorful Instant Pot parsley penne pasta is ready to serve in less than half an hour.

This yummy penne pasta recipe will help you enjoy penne pasta in a whole new way.
If you thought pasta was super easy to whip up, imagine preparing it in an Instant Pot? You’ll be blown away! It’ll change how to do dinner prep… forever.
I often turn to my Instant Pot when it comes to weeknight dinners.
This Parsley Penne Pasta is a regular in my household – mainly because it’s SO easy to make.
What I also love about the Instant Pot is that cleanup is a breeze.

With my Parsley Penne Pasta recipe, you’ll hardly have any dishes to do afterward.
I love the fact that this pasta dish is filled with cooked parsley and also, fresh parsley as a garnish.
It makes at least 4 servings, so your family will feel full and satisfied after dinner – score!
How long do you cook penne pasta in the instant pot?
It’s best to cook penne pasta in the Instant Pot for 5-6 minutes.
You’ll cook the penne pasta on high pressure as soon as you confirm your Instant Pot is sealed and set to cook for 5 minutes, as per my Instant Pot parsley penne pasta recipe instructions below.
Within this time your Instant Pot penne pasta will be cooked thoroughly and tender enough to serve.

Do you have to cook pasta before putting in instant pot?
No, you don’t have to cook your pasta before putting it in the Instant Pot for this parsley penne pasta recipe.
Simply follow my instructions below to saute the garlic and onion.
Once done, you’ll season with salt, pepper, and other spices, pour in your vegetable broth and deglaze the bottom of the inner pot.
Then you’ll place the uncooked penne pasta in your Instant Pot to complete the process of cooking your Instant Pot parsley penne pasta meal.
How much liquid do you cook pasta in instant pot?
Lastly, many people have asked how much liquid do you cook pasta in when cooking pasta in an Instant Pot.
For my instant pot parsley penne pasta, you’ll add ½ cup vegetable broth as a sufficient amount of liquid to cook your penne pasta to perfection.
You can enjoy this flavorful penne pasta dish with a side of your favorite bread or serve as a standalone pasta meal during a busy day.
This meal is easily made in about half an hour and will be jammed packed with some much flavor that your family will soon ask for your Instant Pot parsley penne pasta regularly.
The seasonings include cayenne pepper to get a slight kick of spice with each bite and other seasonings that add more deliciousness to the mix.
Garnish your Instant Pot parsley penne pasta with basil leaves and freshly grated parmesan cheese to seal the deal!

The full ingredient list and directions are in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Instant Pot Penne Pasta
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients For Instant Pot Parsley Penne Pasta
- extra virgin olive oil
- yellow onion
- garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- dried thyme
- dried cayenne pepper
- vegetable broth
- 1 lb (500 g) dried penne
- 1 can (approx 28 oz.) diced tomatoes, including the juice
- fresh basil leaves + extra for garnishing
- Parmesan cheese for garnishing
Directions For Instant Pot Parsley Penne Pasta
Set IP to saute setting and heat up olive oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
Season with salt, pepper and spices.
Pour vegetable broth and deglaze the bottom of the inner pot.
Add penne, diced tomatoes and ½ cup fresh basil.
Place lid and set for 5 minutes high pressure.
Once time is up, allow for a 15 min NPR.
Serve on pasta dishes and garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

What Side Dishes Can You Serve With Pasta
- Salad
- Garlic Bread
- Bruschetta
- Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
How Do You Store Cooked Pasta
Store cooked pasta in a container or plastic sealable bag in the refrigerate for up to five days and up to three months in the freezer
Can You Reheat Cooked Pasta
Reheating pasta with sauce can be done one of three ways: Bake it at 350 degrees in a foil-covered baking dish (approximately 20 minutes); warm it in a saucepan over medium-low heat, or reheat, covered, in the microwave.
Instant Pot Parsley Penne Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp dried cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup vegetable broth
- 1 lb 500 g dried penne
- 1 can approx 28 oz. diced tomatoes, including the juice
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves + extra for garnishing
- Parmesan cheese for garnishing
Instructions
- Set IP to saute setting and heat up olive oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper and spices.
- Pour vegetable broth and deglaze the bottom of the inner pot.
- Add penne, diced tomatoes and ½ cup fresh basil.
- Place lid and set for 5 minutes high pressure.
- Once time is up, allow for a 15 min NPR.
- Serve on pasta dishes and garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
If you get a chance to try it, let us know! Leave us a comment below, or share it with a picture on Instagram or Facebook! Don’t forget to tag us @sweetandsavorymorsels and use the hashtag #sweetandsavorymorsels so we can see what amazing meals you are cooking!
