How to Make Easy Instant Pot Rigatoni & Sausage Recipe
Make a quick and easy weeknight recipe for instant pot rigatoni with sausage. A delicious comfort food meal ready quickly, perfect for a fast weeknight meal.
Looking for a fast, cozy dinner that the whole family will love? You’re in the right place.
This Instant Pot Rigatoni recipe with sausage is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s a one-pot meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Let’s break it all down so you can get dinner on the table without stress.
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What is Instant Pot Rigatoni?
Instant Pot Rigatoni is a pasta dish made using a pressure cooker. The pasta cooks right in the pot with flavorful sausage, marinara sauce, and spices.
After cooking, the pasta gets tossed with cream, parmesan, and mozzarella. The result is a rich, hearty dinner that tastes like it simmered all day.
But here’s the best part — it’s quick. You don’t need a separate pot to boil water. Everything goes in the Instant Pot for a one pot meal, and cleanup is a breeze.
Whether you’re new to the Instant Pot or a seasoned pro, this recipe is simple to follow and hard to mess up. Let’s make dinner!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the basic ingredients you need to make this Instant Pot rigatoni:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 ½ cups water
- 1 (16-ounce) box rigatoni pasta
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
Simple ingredients. Big flavor.
How to Make Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni
This dish comes together fast! Here’s how to make it step-by-step:
- Prep the Instant Pot:
Turn on the Sauté function and let the pot heat up. Add the olive oil. - Cook the sausage and onion:
Add the Italian sausage (without the casings) and diced onion to the bottom of the pot. Sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Break the sausage apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Sauté until no longer pink. - Drain the meat:
Cancel the sauté mode. Carefully drain any excess grease from the sausage mixture. The pot will be hot, use oven mitts or potholders if handling the pot. - Add the water and pasta:
Return the sausage and onions to the pot. Pour in 3½ cups of water. Then, add the rigatoni pasta, making sure as much of it is submerged as possible. - Top with sauce — don’t stir:
Pour the marinara pasta sauce on top of the pasta. Don’t mix it in. This helps prevent the burn warning. - Pressure cook:
Secure the Instant Pot lid. Set the pressure valve to Sealing position. Use the Manual or Pressure Cook button and cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes. - Let pressure release:
When the time is up, allow a 5-minute natural release, then switch to a quick pressure release to let out the rest of the pressure. - Let it rest:
Stir everything together. Put the lid back on and let it sit for 5 minutes so the pasta can absorb more sauce. - Add the creamy touch:
Stir in ½ cup heavy cream and ½ cup grated parmesan with a good stir. - Top with cheese:
Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella over the top. Cover with the lid again until the cheese melts. - Garnish and serve:
Add fresh basil on top. Serve warm with a simple green salad and enjoy!
Where to Serve Instant Pot Rigatoni
This favorite recipe fits almost any dinner need:
- Weeknight family dinners – Fast and filling for busy weeknights
- Potlucks – Everyone loves creamy pasta
- Game day – Serve in bowls with garlic bread
- Freezer meals – Make ahead and freeze in portions
- Holiday gatherings – A cozy option for cold weather events
Bring it to a dinner party, or make it for meal prep. It’s flexible, easy, and always a hit.
Variations to Try
Want to switch things up? Try one of these easy variations:
- Use spicy sausage for extra heat or add crushed red pepper flakes
- Swap rigatoni for penne, ziti, or shells
- Add veggies like spinach, bell pepper, or mushrooms
- Use vodka sauce instead of marinara or your favorite pasta tomato sauce
- Top with ricotta for even more creaminess
- Make it meatless – skip the sausage and use sautéed zucchini or lentils instead
- Swap sausage for ground beef or ground turkey (add italian seasoning for more flavor)
The possibilities are endless. Mix and match to make it your own.
Can You Store It or Make It Ahead?
Yes! This recipe is great for leftovers.
To store:
Let the rigatoni cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat:
Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce.
To freeze:
Place in freezer-safe containers. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
To make ahead:
Cook everything up to the final cheese step. Reheat later and then melt the mozzarella just before serving.
Common Questions About Instant Pot Rigatoni
Can I use frozen sausage?
Yes, but you’ll need to thaw it first to break it up properly during cooking.
Will this recipe work with gluten-free pasta?
It can, but gluten-free pasta cooks differently. You may need to reduce the pressure cook time by 1-2 minutes and watch the texture.
What’s the best type of pasta for this recipe?
Rigatoni works best, but penne or ziti are good backups. Use something sturdy that holds sauce well.
Why do you not stir the sauce?
Stirring can cause a burn warning on the Instant Pot. Keeping the sauce on top prevents this.
Can I double the recipe?
You can double it, but don’t fill past the Max Fill Line. Cooking time stays the same.
What if I get a burn notice?
Make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom before pressure cooking. Scrape the pot clean of browned bits after sautéing the sausage.
Instant Pot Rigatoni and Sausage
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage without casings
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 ½ cups water
- 1 16 ounce box rigatoni or any tubular shaped pasta
- 1 24 ounce jar marinara sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoons snipped fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat the electric pressure cooker using the saute function until hot. Add the olive oil to the liner. Then, add the Italian sausage and onion. Season with the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook the sausage, crumbling as it cooks, until no longer pink. Cancel the saute function and drain the sausage well.
- Return the sausage and onions to the electric pressure cooker and add the water. Then pour the pasta into the water, pressing as much below the water line as possible. Top the pasta with the marinara sauce. Do not stir.
- Top the electric pressure cooker with the lid and set the valve to sealing. Program the electric pressure cooker with the manual or pressure cook mode for 7 minutes at high pressure. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes prior to performing a quick release of the remaining pressure.
- Stir the pasta and re-cover the electric pressure cooker for 5 minutes.
- Add the cream and parmesan cheese to the pasta and stir to evenly distribute. Top the pasta with mozzarella cheese and cover until it melts.
- Serve the pasta with the fresh basil.
Conclusion: Make This Instant Pot Rigatoni Tonight!
Dinner doesn’t have to be hard. This easy recipe is creamy, flavorful, and made all in one pot. With sausage, marinara, and two kinds of cheese, it’s the ultimate comfort food.
Even better, it’s fast. Less than 30 minutes from start to finish. One of my favorite things is the leftovers for an even easier meal the next day!
Make it for your next busy night, potluck, or cozy Sunday dinner. Try it once, and it just might become a regular on your menu.
Ready to try it?
Save this post, pin it to your dinner board, or print the recipe out. Then grab your Instant Pot and get cooking!
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Hi there!
I’m Emily, a mom and wife with a passion for crafting, celebrating holidays, and creating memorable moments. From Idaho to the world, The Benson Street is a treasure trove of easy, fun DIY projects, delightful printables, and delicious recipes. With over a decade of experience in blogging and a love for all things seasonal, I’m here to share my tips, ideas, and occasional mishaps. Join me in adding a dash of joy and creativity to every day! Read more…
