Your ONE favorite Instant Pot recipe

[twowhat?]

I got a new Instant Pot for Mother's Day and haven't used it yet - kind of overwhelmed, it seems like a bit of a learning curve.

Hit me with your ONE SINGLE favorite recipe! Just one! I want my kids' buy-in early on so I want to start with tried-and-true favorites. One-pot family dinner meals would be great, but really I just want your single most favorite recipe, regardless of type (meal, dessert, drink, whatever).

So far, according to my friends, I have:

Butter chicken.

[essnce629]

Italian Beef! I don't shred it like the recipe though. I just slice it and serve over mashed potatoes. Soooo good!

https://foodunderpressure.com/instant-pot-italian-shredded-beef/

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[WatchingThemGrow]

Spaghetti with meat sauce!


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[SnuggleBuggles]

Spaghetti with meat sauce!


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My instant pot directions say no pasta in it. I was all set to make a mac and cheese recommended here until I read that. Thoughts?

[essnce629]

My instant pot directions say no pasta in it. I was all set to make a mac and cheese recommended here until I read that. Thoughts?Really? Odd! I've made lasagna in it several times with no issue. I don't do spaghetti noodles in mine, just the sauce. I've done mac and cheese too.

Sloppy lasagna from the Hip Pressure Cooker cookbook.
https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/sloppy-lasagna/

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[SnuggleBuggles]

Really? Odd! I've made lasagna in it several times with no issue. I don't do spaghetti noodles in mine, just the sauce. I've done mac and cheese too.

Sloppy lasagna from the Hip Pressure Cooker cookbook.
https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/sloppy-lasagna/

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Sounds good! But if you read through the manual, it says no pasta. :)
"Be aware that certain foods, such as applesauce, cranberries, pearl barley, oatmeal or other cereals, split peas, noodles, macaroni, rhubarb, or spaghetti can foam, froth, sputter, and clog the steam release. These foods should not be cooked under pressure cooking settings unless as directed in Instant Pot® cooker recipes." p 4, #19 https://instantpot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DUO-Series-Manual-English-January-24-2018-web.pdf
That's the manual I have.

[LBW]

Kalua Pork!
https://nomnompaleo.com/post/111934821818/pressure-cooker-kalua-pig

(I also LOVE it for cooking beets.)

[mikala]

Here's my favorite. I use a bit less salt and make sure to leave enough time to get up to pressure and release pressure twice.
https://www.hippressurecooking.com/pressure-cooker-chicken-and-rice-one-pot-meal/

[lizzywednesday]

My instant pot directions say no pasta in it. I was all set to make a mac and cheese recommended here until I read that. Thoughts?

No idea. There are a lot of pasta recipes in the Instant Pot Cookbook (which is kind of like the Set It and Forget It ... series for CrockPots, so recipes are hit-or-miss as far as clarity of writing, etc.) but I'll be the first to admit that I didn't read my instructions booklet super-carefully.

I haven't had any steam-vent problems and I've made a "sloppy lasagna" in mine. (It's good, but oddly bland.)

I do a meat sauce in mine, too. (Basically I use the Giada DiLaurentiis recipe for marinara (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/marinara-sauce-recipe-2103577) but add browned turkey to it before setting the pressure cook or slow cook functions, depending on how much time I think I have.)

[Myira]

I have several but since you want one, here is a one that can be a complete meal https://youtu.be/k18_5Gmh6IU


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[essnce629]

Sounds good! But if you read through the manual, it says no pasta. :)
"Be aware that certain foods, such as applesauce, cranberries, pearl barley, oatmeal or other cereals, split peas, noodles, macaroni, rhubarb, or spaghetti can foam, froth, sputter, and clog the steam release. These foods should not be cooked under pressure cooking settings unless as directed in Instant Pot[emoji768] cooker recipes." p 4, #19 https://instantpot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DUO-Series-Manual-English-January-24-2018-web.pdf
That's the manual I have.

"unless as directed" which I see as "make sure you follow specific directions about cooking these foods." Like how with these foods you're never supposed to fill the pot past the halfway mark.



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[essnce629]

I haven't had any steam-vent problems and I've made a "sloppy lasagna" in mine. (It's good, but oddly bland.)


Yeah, I don't follow the sloppy lasagna sauce recipe. I make my own meat sauce first.


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[DualvansMommy]

Sounds good! But if you read through the manual, it says no pasta. :)
"Be aware that certain foods, such as applesauce, cranberries, pearl barley, oatmeal or other cereals, split peas, noodles, macaroni, rhubarb, or spaghetti can foam, froth, sputter, and clog the steam release. These foods should not be cooked under pressure cooking settings unless as directed in Instant Pot[emoji768] cooker recipes." p 4, #19 https://instantpot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DUO-Series-Manual-English-January-24-2018-web.pdf
That's the manual I have.

A lot of people, myself included have ignored that. I’ve made DS2 homemade Mac and cheese many times in my IP. I also make my steel cut oatmeal, and applesauce in it without problems too.


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[DualvansMommy]

OP, as far fro favorite IP recipes. I have several but this one is the whole family’s favorite and make frequently. Like once a week easily.

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/instant-pot-vietnamese-chicken-noodle-soup-pho-ga

The other close favorites are my steel cut oatmeal, Unami pot roast from pressure cooking recipes website.

Another recipe that’s on my regular rotation too for DH and boys;

http://www.skinnytaste.com/barbacoa-beef/


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[SnuggleBuggles]

No idea. There are a lot of pasta recipes in the Instant Pot Cookbook (which is kind of like the Set It and Forget It ... series for CrockPots, so recipes are hit-or-miss as far as clarity of writing, etc.) but I'll be the first to admit that I didn't read my instructions booklet super-carefully.

I haven't had any steam-vent problems and I've made a "sloppy lasagna" in mine. (It's good, but oddly bland.)

I do a meat sauce in mine, too. (Basically I use the Giada DiLaurentiis recipe for marinara (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/marinara-sauce-recipe-2103577) but add browned turkey to it before setting the pressure cook or slow cook functions, depending on how much time I think I have.)


"unless as directed" which I see as "make sure you follow specific directions about cooking these foods." Like how with these foods you're never supposed to fill the pot past the halfway mark.




A lot of people, myself included have ignored that. I’ve made DS2 homemade Mac and cheese many times in my IP. I also make my steel cut oatmeal, and applesauce in it without problems too.
lk

I guess I'm unlucky! The one time I tried to make mac and cheese, it clogged up and sputtered like crazy! That's when I saw that in the manual. O'm glad these work for others because they would be nice to add to my repertoire. Pretty much the IP has been collecting dust in my basement since a few weeks after it was gifted to me though.

[Melaine]

Here is one of many blog posts I wrote with all my fav recipes: http://bargainbabe.com/favorite-instant-pot-recipes/

And yes pasta does make kind of a mess but I still do it all the time.

[elephantmeg]

I cook pasta in mine all the time.

[LBW]

Doesn't pasta actually take longer in the IP?

[TwinFoxes]

My favorite recipe is probably salsa chicken, just because it's quick and everyone likes it. Chicken with about 1/3 cup of water, add two jars of your favorite salsa, and cook on high for 12 minutes, NPR. Stir in black beans and corn. Serve.


Doesn't pasta actually take longer in the IP?

It's not always a matter of time. With the IP, I can put stuff in, push a button, and go do something else. I don't have to stay at a stove. Regardless, I don't think it takes longer to cook pasta in the IP. Cooking is definitely less time (it's 1/2 the time listed on the pasta box), but maybe coming to pressure takes slightly longer than bringing water to boil.

[BunnyBee]

I guess I'm unlucky! The one time I tried to make mac and cheese, it clogged up and sputtered like crazy! That's when I saw that in the manual. O'm glad these work for others because they would be nice to add to my repertoire. Pretty much the IP has been collecting dust in my basement since a few weeks after it was gifted to me though.

Do a "controlled release" with mac and cheese. Take a wooden spoon and release the steam in short bursts. And add a bit of oil to the water before you cook. Sometimes it's still a little messy, but it's so easy that it's worth a little extra cleanup. If you're on FB, there's a huge IP group with videos on how to prevent it.


It's not always a matter of time. With the IP, I can put stuff in, push a button, and go do something else. I don't have to stay at a stove. Regardless, I don't think it takes longer to cook pasta in the IP. Cooking is definitely less time (it's 1/2 the time listed on the pasta box), but maybe coming to pressure takes slightly longer than bringing water to boil.

I can make Dad's mac and cheese in the IP more quickly than a box of Annie's. I halve his recipe and use the shredded Mexican blend from Costco. It melts really nicely and my kids like the flavor. https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/pressure-cooker-macaroni-and-cheese/

Two Sleevers butter chicken is pretty great. https://twosleevers.com/instant-pot-butter-chicken/

[elbenn]

It's not always a matter of time. With the IP, I can put stuff in, push a button, and go do something else. I don't have to stay at a stove. Regardless, I don't think it takes longer to cook pasta in the IP. Cooking is definitely less time (it's 1/2 the time listed on the pasta box), but maybe coming to pressure takes slightly longer than bringing water to boil.

How do you guys cook pasta in recipes with sauces? Do you cook it all at once or add the pasta later to the sauce? Or do you cook the pasta separately (in which case you'd have to wash the pot)?

[JdrKuhnert]

Indian butter chicken. This is so good that I bought her cookbook. https://twosleevers.com/instant-pot-butter-chicken/

[WatchingThemGrow]

How do you guys cook pasta in recipes with sauces? Do you cook it all at once or add the pasta later to the sauce? Or do you cook the pasta separately (in which case you'd have to wash the pot)?

2 nights ago I used already browned, frozen sausage and ground beef, elbow macaroni, a big jar of spaghetti sauce, and 2 cups of water. It cooked for 6 min, got topped with cheese, and my family gobbled it and headed out to swim practice. To make it faster, I could have pushed Sauté to heat up the pot and used instant hot or the electric kettle to make the 2 c of water already hot. Prob because of the sausage it didn’t stick.


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[Aishe]

Indian butter chicken. This is so good that I bought her cookbook. https://twosleevers.com/instant-pot-butter-chicken/

:yeahthat:This recipe is the bomb. Have you made anything else from the cookbook? I haven’t yet, but my brother made a couple of the dal recipes and found the cooking times to be way off. I’m just wondering if anyone else has had that problem.

[ang79]

My instant pot directions say no pasta in it. I was all set to make a mac and cheese recommended here until I read that. Thoughts?

I've made mac and cheese several times in it, using two different recipes I've found online.

[TwinFoxes]

How do you guys cook pasta in recipes with sauces? Do you cook it all at once or add the pasta later to the sauce? Or do you cook the pasta separately (in which case you'd have to wash the pot)?

Sorry, just seeing this. I cook pasta and meatballs all the time together in the IP. I put 1/2 bag of TJs frozen "party" meatballs on the bottom of the pot with about 3oz of water. Dump in farfalle or penne (spaghetti and linguini don't work well unless you break them up first.) I then dump in a jar of sauce (you fancy people can add homemade ;) ) I add extra spices to the sauce at this point...red pepper flakes, salt, garlic, Italian herbs, whatever you like. Then, pour 2/3 a jar of water over it all. DO NOT STIR. Close it up, and cook it for 1/2 the cooking time listed on the pasta box + 1 minute. When it's done, quick release. I usually stir in some parmesan or asiago cheese. Easy and yummy. Usually 3 out of 4 of us will eat it. I rarely get 4 out of 4, so that's a win!

[TwinFoxes]

I've made mac and cheese several times in it, using two different recipes I've found online.

I think IP Mac and cheese is the easiest and most delicious I've ever made. But, maybe it seems more delicious because it's so easy!

[ArizonaGirl]

I think IP Mac and cheese is the easiest and most delicious I've ever made. But, maybe it seems more delicious because it's so easy!

Recipe pls!

[TwinFoxes]

Recipe pls!

1 box elbow macaroni
1 cup heavy cream (I've used milk and it's fine, you can probably just use what you have on hand it will just be less rich)
3 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp salt
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese (we like it cheesy!)
2 tsp dried mustard
white pepper to taste (I use maybe 1/4-1/2 tsp)
ETA: 4 cups water
Put macaroni, water, butter, salt, pepper, and mustard into the instant pot. Cook on high for 4 minutes, quick release. Set to salute and stir in cream, then stir in cheese until it melts (this step takes very little time). Turn off IP and serve!

This is an easily tweak-able recipe. Add ingredients you and your family like, use different cheeses etc. Enjoy!

[essnce629]

1 box elbow macaroni
1 cup heavy cream (I've used milk and it's fine, you can probably just use what you have on hand it will just be less rich)
3 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp salt
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese (we like it cheesy!)
2 tsp dried mustard
white pepper to taste (I use maybe 1/4-1/2 tsp)

Put macaroni, water, salt, pepper, and mustard into the instant pot. Cook on high for 4 minutes, quick release. Set to salute and stir in cream, then stir in cheese until it melts (this step takes very little time). Turn off IP and serve!

This is an easily tweak-able recipe. Add ingredients you and your family like, use different cheeses etc. Enjoy!You didn't say how much water.

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[Mommy_Mea]

This is my favorite, Mongolian beef, I add a little less brown sugar and add in a little crushed red pepper for kick. Yummy! Once the beef is done, I have taken it out and then used the pot to make rice without cleaning it, ads yummy sauce to the rice!

http://www.pressurecookingtoda...ressure-cooker-mongolian-beef/

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[TwinFoxes]

You didn't say how much water.

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I'm a doofus. 4 cups.

[mom2khj]

This is my favorite, Mongolian beef, I add a little less brown sugar and add in a little crushed red pepper for kick. Yummy! Once the beef is done, I have taken it out and then used the pot to make rice without cleaning it, ads yummy sauce to the rice!

http://www.pressurecookingtoda...ressure-cooker-mongolian-beef/

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This and Beef and Broccoli are probably both my equal favorites!

https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/pressure-cooker-beef-and-broccoli/

[AnnieW625]

I make this meat pasta sauce in my instant pot, but I still cook my pasta on the stove top. I did try a different pasta recipe in the instant pot and didn’t like how it cooked. I might try the lasagne and the Mac n cheese though!

https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/instant-pot-spaghetti/ (I have also used a whole jar of pasta sauce when I haven’t had the crushed tomatoes and added a whole can of paste and a can of sauce and bit of red wine and it is great).

I also love this taco meat (I just added onions and garlic because my kids aren’t big on the veggies used in it)

https://myheartbeets.com/instant-pot-taco-meat/

Butter Chicken: (I omitted the cilantro and used maybe an 1/8 to a 1/4 tsp of cayenne)
https://twosleevers.com/instant-pot-butter-chicken/

I also tried a salsa chicken recipe and cooked the chicken frozen....it took 20 minutes instead of 10 or whatever the original time was for.

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[Percycat]

This post reminded me that I received an Instant Pot for mother's day..... life has been busy......Our first meal was wonderful. I made this Shrimp Boil for an early father's day meal for my dad. EVERYTHING -- corn, shrimp, potatoes, sausage, broth -- was yummy.

https://damndelicious.net/2018/06/05/instant-pot-shrimp-boil/

I have an 8 qt pot -- I added an additional 1/2 liquid. I made honey cornbread as a side (and hot bacon spinach salad), but next time I would serve a crusty french bread to sop up the extra juice. It made enough to serve 5 people yesterday and a left over meal for my family. If there is broth left over -- it will become a yummy pasta.

[jawilli4]

[QUOTE=Percycat;4299351]I made this Shrimp Boil for an early father's day meal for my dad. EVERYTHING -- corn, shrimp, potatoes, sausage, broth -- was yummy.

https://damndelicious.net/2018/06/05/instant-pot-shrimp-boil/

We are huge Low Country Boil fans here. So much fun and delicious! Thanks for the IP recipe!

[Ceepa]

I haven't given the IP much thought. It seems easier to me to cook everything on the stove or oven most of the time. But I should pull it out to make dinnertime easier, I think.

[123LuckyMom]

[QUOTE=Percycat;4299351]
https://damndelicious.net/2018/06/05/instant-pot-shrimp-boil/


I’m wondering if her other recipes are good. I’m always looking for new recipe sites. I LOVE skinnytaste.com. I’ve just never had a fail from her site, and I’m wondering if this site is similarly foolproof.


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[lovingdenver10]

I've wanted to try this for a while...still thinking about it.

[mom2khj]

[QUOTE=jawilli4;4299370]

I’m wondering if her other recipes are good. I’m always looking for new recipe sites. I LOVE skinnytaste.com. I’ve just never had a fail from her site, and I’m wondering if this site is similarly foolproof.


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We've made several of her recipes and they have all been hits.