The Ultimate Guide: How to Cook Noodles in an Instant Pot

Are you tired of standing over a pot of boiling water, waiting for your noodles to cook perfectly? Well, say goodbye to that hassle because the Instant Pot has got your back! Cooking noodles in an Instant Pot is a game-changer – it’s quick, easy, and produces perfectly cooked noodles every time. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the art of cooking noodles in an Instant Pot, sharing tips, tricks, and step-by-step instructions to ensure you master this convenient cooking method.

Why Cook Noodles in an Instant Pot?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let’s talk about why you should consider cooking noodles in an Instant Pot:

1. Time-Saving: No more waiting for water to boil or constantly monitoring the pot. With an Instant Pot, you can have perfectly cooked noodles in a fraction of the time.

2. Energy-Efficient: Instant Pots use less energy than traditional stovetop cooking, making them an eco-friendly choice.

3. One-Pot Meals: Cooking noodles in an Instant Pot allows you to create delicious one-pot meals by adding sauce, proteins, and vegetables right into the pot.

4. No Straining Required: Since the noodles cook in a small amount of water, there’s no need to strain them – the water gets absorbed during the cooking process.

The Instant Pot Pasta Formula

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter – how to cook noodles in an Instant Pot. While different types of noodles may require slightly different cooking times, there’s a general formula that works for most varieties:

1. Find the recommended cook time: Check the package instructions for the recommended cook time for the noodles you’re using.

2. Take the lowest, even number: If a range is given, use the lowest number in the range. If only one time is given and it’s odd, round down. For example, if the recommended cook time is 9-11 minutes, use 10 minutes. If it’s 7 minutes, round down to 6 minutes.

3. Divide by two: Take the number from step 2 and divide it by two.

4. Subtract two minutes: From the result of step 3, subtract two minutes.

5. Pressure cook on high: Set your Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for the time calculated in step 4.

6. Natural release for 5 minutes: After the cook time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes.

7. Quick release: After 5 minutes of natural release, manually release any remaining pressure.

Here’s a handy table to help you calculate the cook time for various noodles:

Note: For small pasta shapes with a short recommended cook time (4-6 minutes), set the Instant Pot to 0 minutes. It will fully pressurize but won’t hold pressure for any time.

How Much Water to Use

The amount of water you’ll need to use depends on the quantity of noodles you’re cooking. A general rule of thumb is:

• 8 oz (225g) of noodles: 2 cups (480ml) of water
• 16 oz (450g) of noodles: 4 cups (960ml) of water
• 24 oz (675g) of noodles: 6 cups (1.4L) of water

If you’re cooking noodles in a sauce or soup, you can disregard the water measurements above and simply add enough liquid to cover the noodles.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have the formula and water measurements down, let’s go through the step-by-step process of cooking noodles in an Instant Pot:

1. Add noodles and water: Place the noodles and the appropriate amount of water (or sauce/broth) in the Instant Pot inner pot. Give everything a gentle stir to ensure the noodles are submerged.

2. Seal the lid: Close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the steam release valve is in the sealing position.

3. Set the cook time: Using the formula provided earlier, set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for the calculated time.

4. Natural release: Once the cook time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. This is indicated by the L00:05 countdown on the display.

5. Quick release: After 5 minutes of natural release, carefully move the steam release valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.

6. Stir and serve: Open the lid and give the noodles a good stir. If there’s any remaining liquid, let the noodles sit for 5-10 minutes to absorb it. Serve the noodles as desired or continue cooking by adding sauce, proteins, and vegetables for a one-pot meal.

Tips and Tricks

To ensure perfect noodles every time, here are some additional tips and tricks:

• Long noodles: If you’re cooking long noodles like spaghetti or fettuccine, break them in half before adding them to the Instant Pot to ensure they’re fully submerged.

• Gluten-free noodles: Gluten-free noodles can be trickier to cook in the Instant Pot due to their tendency to release more starch. For best results, reduce the natural release time to 2-3 minutes and be prepared to release any excess pressure slowly to prevent starchy liquid from spraying out.

• Stir immediately: As soon as you release the pressure, give the noodles a good stir to prevent them from sticking together.

• Adjust cook times: If your noodles are undercooked or overcooked, adjust the cook time accordingly for your next batch.

• Add oil or butter: To prevent foaming and sticking, you can add a tablespoon of oil or butter to the cooking water.

• One-pot meals: For one-pot meals, cook the noodles first, then add the remaining ingredients and continue cooking according to recipe instructions.

Conclusion

Cooking noodles in an Instant Pot is a game-changer in the kitchen. With its quick cook times, energy efficiency, and ability to create delicious one-pot meals, it’s no wonder this cooking method has become a favorite among home cooks. Follow the guidelines in this guide, and you’ll be enjoying perfectly cooked noodles in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that Instant Pot and get cooking!