Imagine diving into a creamy, herb-infused pasta dish that looks and tastes like it was crafted by a professional chef, but can be prepared in less time than it takes to order takeout. This Instant Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta with Mushrooms is about to revolutionize your weeknight dinner game, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a restaurant-worthy meal that comes together effortlessly in your kitchen, proving that gourmet cooking doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by slicing mushrooms and measuring out all components precisely.
- Add pasta and 2 cups of water to the Instant Pot, ensuring pasta is fully submerged. Gently stir to prevent sticking.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and select Manual/Pressure Cook mode at high pressure.
- Cook pasta for 4-5 minutes, depending on pasta type, until just al dente. Perform quick release after cooking.
- Drain any excess water, leaving a small amount of liquid in the pot for sauce consistency.
- Add sliced mushrooms, heavy cream, pesto, and half of the Parmesan cheese to the cooked pasta.
- Stir thoroughly to combine ingredients, allowing mushrooms to slightly cook in residual heat.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Let mixture sit for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.
- Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with remaining Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
- Serve immediately while hot, enjoying the creamy, herbaceous flavors of the dish.
Tips
- Choose the right pasta: Use short pasta like penne or rotini that cooks evenly in the Instant Pot.
- Don't drain all the liquid: Keeping a small amount of cooking water helps create a silky, smooth sauce.
- Use fresh pesto if possible for the most vibrant flavor, but high-quality jarred pesto works great too.
- Slice mushrooms uniformly to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture.
- Add Parmesan cheese at the end to prevent potential curdling and maintain a smooth sauce.
- For extra depth, consider sautéing mushrooms briefly before adding to the pasta.
- Garnish with fresh basil just before serving to add a bright, aromatic finish.
- Let the dish rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken naturally.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 620kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Cholesterol: 110mg
