Lifestyle February 13, 2020

By: Anna Baun

Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta

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If you haven’t made pasta in your Instant Pot, you will not be disappointed with this creamy, flavorful Tuscan Pasta. Drop all the ingredients into your Instant Pot, cook and watch your family run to the kitchen for seconds!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I wanted to whip up a good meal my family loves – this time with a little twist and heart-shaped pasta shells.

We have made a number of different pasta recipes in our Instant Pot, but this creamy, hearty Tuscan Pasta has quickly become one of our favorites. While it is rich in flavor, and can pack a bit of the calories, I outlined below how you can replace a number of the ingredients to make it a tab more healthy and even plant-based or vegan, if needed.

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, no worries. We also included details on how you can pull this delicious recipe together on your stove stop, too.

I can’t wait for you to give this a try and let me know what you think! I hope you all have a great Valentine’s Day!

Now, let’s get to the good stuff – the details on how to make this crowd pleasing creamy Tuscan Pasta!

Also, if you’re looking for a few other Instant Pot recipes to try this week, here are a few of my favorites:

OUR FAVORITE INSTANT POT ACCESSORIES

TIPS FOR MAKING CREAMY TUSCAN PASTA

If you have been following the blog for any time, you know we really love recipes that are versatile. This creamy Tuscan Pasta recipe is absolutely one of those! And, it’s one of our all-time family favorites.

What’s great about this Instant Pot Tuscan Pasta is you can change it up so many different ways. For examples, if you love some veggies more than others, great! Switch out as many or as few as you might like.

Similarly, you’re welcome to add meat like an Italia sausage. If you don’t have or like Italian sausage, you can also use chicken. Prefer chicken sausage? Go for it! Only have linked sausage? Add that instead! It truly is a soup you can make your own and still have it be incredibly delicious!

Last, if you’re not a fan of spinach, you can also choose to replace with kale. See, so versatile!

INGREDIENTS FOR INSTNAT POT TUSCAN PASTA

2.5 cups chicken broth (also tastes just as good with vegetable broth)
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 7 ounce can sun-dried tomatoes in oil
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 tablespoon garlic pepper
2 tablespoon minced garlic
Pinch of salt
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, broken into cubes
1 pound uncooked pasta (I used a heart shaped pasta for a Valentine’s Day theme, but recommend penne, campanelle or rigatoni for any other time)
5 ounces fresh spinach or fresh kale (If kale, be sure to chop)
1/4 cup half and half
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (can also use dried basil, if needed)
1 teaspoon oregano
A pinch of red chili flakes (optional)

HOW TO MAKE CREAMY TUSCAN PASTA

Turn your Instant Pot on and select the ‘Saute’ function on high.
When the Instant Pot is hot, add onions and cook until onions are slightly softened, about 2 minutes.
When onions have softened slightly, add in garlic and continue to cook with the onions for an additional 1-2 minutes. NOTE: be sure to stir the onions and garlic regularly to ensure they do not burn and stick to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Doing so will ensure you do not receive a ‘Burn’ notice when cooking the remaining ingredients under ‘Pressure Cook’.
Once cooking above is complete, select the ‘Cancel’ function to turn off the Instant Pot and reset the cooking functions.
Add in chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic pepper, pasta shells, pinch of red chili flakes (optional) and a pinch of salt. Do not stir. When adding the pasta, push the pasta down gently into the broth to cover the pasta as much as possible.
Secure the lid to your Instant Pot and select the ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ function on high and cook for 4 minutes.
When timer beeps, select the ‘Cancel’ function to turn off Instant pot. Allow it to naturally release for 1 minute and then quick release all remaining pressure.
When all pressure has been released, remove the Instant Pot lid and stir contents. NOTE: the pasta may appear soupy at first, but will continue to thicken with additional steps below.
Add cream cheese cubes, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, half and half (slowly add until desired thickness) and spinach or kale and stir until all ingredients are well combined. If pasta appear soupy for any reason, allow it to sit for 10 minutes on warm to allow it to continue to thicken.
Add any additional seasoning, as needed to taste.
Service and enjoy! Feel free to top with additional Parmesan cheese and a pinch of parsley for garnish.

WANT TO MAKE YOUR TUSCAN PASTA VEGAN, PLANT-BASED OR KETO-FRIENDLY?

If you are looking to make this recipe a keto, vegan and/or plant-based friendly, simply replace the above ingredients as mentioned below.

Pasta: The next time we make this delicious Instant Pot Tuscan Pasta, replace the pasta shells with a more keto-friendly and plant-based option like chickpea pasta. I promise you cannot tell the difference at all. The chickpea pasta is loaded with 23 grams of fiber per serving. We really like the Banza brand which can be found at some of your favorite retailers like Target and Whole Foods.
Parmesan Cheese: Swap out the Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free option. There are a number of good options at Whole Foods, Aldi and Target.
Cream Cheese: We really love the Kite Hill brand of vegan cream cheese. It’s so smooth and delicious! Another product you cannot tell is non-dairy.
Half & Half: You can replace the half and half mixture with coconut milk or cashew cream. You can typically find both any any grocery store, Target or Whole Foods.

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