Instant Pot Pizza Pasta

Instant Pot Pizza Pasta is an easy recipe made with penne pasta, sausage, pepperoni and your favorite pizza toppings. Ready in 30 minutes! Your whole family will love this kid friendly dinner!

Instant Pot pizza pasta is loaded with Italian sausage, sliced pepperoni and lots of mozzarella cheese. I made this the other night for my kids, and it’s now one of their favorite Instant Pot recipes. If you’re looking for an easy kid friendly dinner, this pizza pasta casserole recipe is for you!

I used to make this pizza pasta bake in the oven, and I even made a one pan pepperoni pizza pasta on the stove. Both of those are delicious, but of course, I wanted to make pizza pasta in my Instant Pot!

This is such an easy recipe, and it’s budget friendly. You can also change it up to suit your own tastes.

If you like Italian inspired pasta recipes, you might also like Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs, Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta, Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef and Instant Pot Creamy Sausage and Shells .

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Italian sausage or ground pork or ground sausage
• Penne pasta
• Water or beef broth
• Marinara sauce , spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Sliced pepperoni
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Shredded Parmesan cheese

How to make pizza pasta in the Instant Pot

Start off by browning the Italian sausage on the saute setting. Make sure to check the bottom of the pot to make sure no browned bits are stuck.

If so, you’ll want to take a little bit of the water and deglaze the pot.

Next, turn of the sauté function, and add your pasta over the sausage. I used mezze penne here, but you can use regular pasta or just about any thick pasta for this recipe.

Rotini pasta and bow ties work, too!

Pour the water over and around the pasta, and then add your marinara sauce or pizza sauce on top. You can spread the sauce over the pasta, but don’t stir it.

Next, add the Italian seasoning, and pressure cook it!

Cook Time

Cook pasta for 4 minutes on high pressure with quick release or gradual quick release. Gradual quick release helps prevent pasta water from spraying out while releasing.

Basically, you want to cook pasta in the Instant Pot for about half of the lowest time recommended on the box. I usually cook pasta for 4 to 5 minutes, tops.

The total cooking time may vary with different pressure cookers and will include time to come to pressure. Still, it’s a 30 minute meal!

Stir in about half of the pepperoni and most of the mozzarella. Then, top with remaining mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices — just like a pizza! 

Place the cover back on the Instant Pot for about 5 minutes to help the cheese melt.

If you have the Instant Pot Duo Crisp or any pressure cooker or multi cooker with a crisp lid, you can broil the cheese until melted!

You can add some shredded Parmesan cheese if you want. Then, you’re ready to dig right in.

This is one Instant Pot pasta recipe that’s perfect for cheese lovers and kids of all ages!

Variations

The best thing about this easy pasta dish is how customizable it is–feel free to recreate whatever flavors of pizza your family loves!

Use ground beef instead of sausage. Or, go meatless by skipping the sausage and pepperoni.

Add your favorite pizza topping veggies: green peppers, black olives, fresh basil, cloves of garlic, and even sliced fresh tomatoes are a great way to incorporate vegetables into pizza night!

Throw whatever pizza ingredients you want on top of the pasta: mini pepperoni, red pepper flakes, pepperoncini, and of course, all the extra cheese you please!

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftover pizza pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it’ll keep for 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container.

Reheat individual portions of pasta in the microwave.

Recipe first published in 2019 and updated in 2022.

I hope you enjoy this easy cheesy Instant Pot pizza pasta recipe as much as we do! Between the cheesy combination of sausage and noodles, and the classic pizza flavor, this is one of my family’s favorite Instant Pot recipes for sure!

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