Cheesey sausage pasta
Quick instapot dinner for the kids last night and they loved it
2–12 ounce packages kielbasa sliced
▢1 ½ cups diced onion
▢3 cloves garlic minced
▢16 ounce box penne pasta
▢4 cups chicken broth
▢14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
▢½ cup milk
▢4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
Sauté the sausage
1:Start by pressing the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot. Once it’s hot, add the sliced kielbasa. Sauté until the sausage starts to brown slightly, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking. This takes about 3-4 minutes. Once done, scoop the sausage out and set it aside on a plate.
2:Cook the onions and garlic
In the same pot (don’t worry about cleaning it), add the diced onion. Sauté for about 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. This adds so much flavor to the final dish. Then, add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until it’s fragrant.
3:Add the pasta, broth, and tomatoes
Press “Cancel” to stop the sauté function. Pour in the penne pasta and add the chicken broth. Give it a gentle stir to make sure the pasta is mostly submerged. Then, add the diced tomatoes (including the juices) on top, but don’t stir! This layering helps prevent the dreaded “burn” message.
4:Cook on high pressure
Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on high for 4 minutes. When the timer beeps, do a quick release to prevent overcooking.
5:Stir in the milk and cheese
Carefully remove the lid and give everything a good stir. Pour in the milk and add the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
6:Add the sausage back in
Finally, add the cooked sausage back to the pot and give it a final stir. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Creating a flavorful and quick meal that the whole family will enjoy can be challenging, but this cheesy sausage pasta recipe made in an Instant Pot is an excellent solution. The combination of kielbasa sausage, sautéed onions, garlic, and rich cheddar cheese creates a creamy and hearty dish perfect for busy weeknights. Kielbasa is a flavorful Polish sausage known for its smoky and slightly spicy taste, which adds depth to the pasta. Using an Instant Pot speeds up the cooking process by pressure cooking the penne pasta with chicken broth and diced tomatoes, infusing the pasta with rich flavor while keeping it perfectly tender. Key tips for success include sautéing the sausage until slightly browned to release its oils, which enhances the overall flavor of the dish. Cooking onions and garlic in the same pot after removing the sausage ensures that the dish has layers of savory taste. Adding diced tomatoes on top without stirring before pressure cooking helps prevent the ‘burn’ notice common in Instant Pot recipes. After cooking, stirring in milk and shredded cheddar cheese transforms the sauce into a creamy, cheesy delight. Combining everything together and reheating the kielbasa ensures a balanced and nutritious dish. This recipe not only is budget-friendly but also offers flexibility to customize with vegetables such as bell peppers or spinach for added nutrients. It also caters to those looking for quick, comforting meals that don’t compromise on flavor. Ideal for meal prepping, this dish can be stored and reheated easily, making it a practical choice for families. Additionally, this recipe tags popular Instant Pot hashtags like #instapotrecipes and #cheapdinnerideas, showing its relevance and appeal to users searching for convenient and affordable dinner options. Whether you are new to using an Instant Pot or an experienced home cook, this cheesy sausage pasta recipe is straightforward, efficient, and sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Can i make this even if i don’t have an instapot?