Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Pasta
Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Pasta is a super easy side dish that you can make for dinner tonight. Tender pasta, in a cheesy homemade sauce and tender broccoli in every single bite.
Do you know that moment that you fall in Love? When you can’t wait to see that person again? I think I am in love with my Instant Pot. Every day I am finding new dishes to make in my pot and I can’t wait to try to use it again, sounds like love to me. Today I was super busy and before I knew it it was 8 pm and I did not even start dinner. I use to go grab takeout.
Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Pasta
Now I just run into my kitchen and see what I can throw in the Instant Pot and see what comes out. Tonight I made a to die for Instant Pot Cheddar & Broccoli Pasta. The perfect way to hide veggies right in with pasta. Cheesy and creamy this will be your family’s new favorite meal.
Can I Add Chicken To Broccoli And Cheddar Pasta
This is a great Quick Instant Pot Meal You can even add in some frozen chicken or ham and make it a complete meal. You can also have this as an instant Pot side dish along with Sous Vide Chicken Breast. You can have your entire meal on your table in under 15 minutes. I make a big batch of the Chicken breast in my sous vide every week so I have it to add to any meal.
If you like this meal you will love my Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. I have many Instant Pot Chicken Recipes on my site. I hope you enjoy them.
What Type of Pasta Do You Use For Broccoli Pasta Recipe
You are welcome to use any shape of pasta you would like. You want it to be a dry pasta that isn’t super small in size. If you use too small of pasta it will overcook and become mushy. You could use shells, elbow macaroni, etc.
Fresh Or Frozen Broccoli
I find that frozen broccoli works so well in this recipe. Toss the broccoli in the steamer basket and cook away. If you prefer fresh you are welcome to go that route as well. Frozen broccoli is affordable and great for using for minimal prep recipes.
Can I Use A Milk Replacement
I think it would be fine if you used plain almond milk to replace the milk in the recipe. I have not tried it myself so I can’t fully say, but it should be fine. Just don’t opt for a flavored replacement.
How To Store Leftover Pasta Recipe
If you have extra you will want to store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. Then eat it cold or warm it up in the microwave or skillet on the stove. If you do the stove heat on low and feel free to add a small splash of milk so that it stays moist. Just make sure to stir it often or it will burn.
What To Serve With Broccoli Pasta Recipe
You can pair with chicken whether it is baked or fried, add a side of pork chops, or even something like meatloaf. This pasta dish is so versatile and goes with pretty much everything. Or eat it alone for a meatless dinner idea.
If you are wanting to try an easy Instant Pot recipe I suggest trying this recipe. It is rather easy to whip up, minimal steps, and mighty tasty.
Instant Pot Broccoli & Cheddar Pasta
Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheddar Pasta is a super easy side dish that you can make for dinner tonight. Tender pasta, in a cheesy homemade sauce and tender broccoli in every single bite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of pasta
- 4 cups water
- 16 oz frozen broccoli
- 2 tbs butter
- 1 cup milk Or half n half
- 16 oz cheddar cheese
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbs salt
- 1/4 tbs Cayenne pepper (Optional)
Instructions
- Place pasta in your instant pot
- Pour 4 cups water
- Add butter
- Add Frozen broccoli
- Place on manual high pressure for 4 minutes
- Do a quick release.
- Place your pot on saute.
- Add in milk and seasonings.
- Stir in cheese.
- Stir
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 507Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1091mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 26g
Can I use a 6 qt pressure cooker with this recipe?
Yes that is what I use
What about fresh broccoli? Could I use that instead of frozen?
Yes it will be small creamy pieces instead of small trees.
Another excellent quick dinner that everyone agreed will need to be repeated!
We improvised a bit and added some cooked ground chicken, and used fresh broccoli.
Our only suggestion is to add a pinch of salt and pepper.
(5 stars)
Im not a healthy person, but I would add more broccoli and less cheese 😉 thumbs up on fast and easy though!
I got a block of cheese and some chicken to throw in.. but I don’t have a steamer yet for my instant pot so can I steam them in the microwave then add with the chicken and cheese?
I just dropped fresh, uncut broccoli on top of the pasta and cooked it with the pasta. I wouldn’t waste time with the microwave or a steamer insert which is another piece to clean after. 😉
There was still water left in the bottom of the pot after I quick released it at the end to add the milk and cheese — needless to say, it was very water after stirring. Is this normal?
@Andrea Howey, I got the same issue. I don’t know if that was supposed to happen.
This was super delicious! I did a clean-out-the-fridge version, replacing the cheese with Boursin, and using fresh broccoli. I also added a bunch of seasoning. It was awesome! Thanks for posting. (PS: The broccoli was super smashy, so if people want al dente broccoli, they’d do well to cook it less.)
What is the point of placing the Insta pot on saute….? Do we leave it on that setting for however long we think….because it does nothing when you need to take the lid off to stir in the milk and cheese…?
The sauté function heats up the milk and helps melt the cheese. The sauté function is always used without the lid.
I’m guessing she says to use saute to heat up the sauce and cook it down a little. When you do saute you leave the cover off, or I do anyway. That way you can keep stirring so it doesn’t burn the cheese/milk.
So yummy! I followed the recipe amounts except I only used 12oz of cheese and did Gouda. I added salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. The sauce was perfect, not watery. I microwaved the frozen broccoli because I was afraid it would be too mushy at 4 minutes based on previous experience. So easy and I’ll make this again and again!
Very quick and easy! Needs seasonings though. Thanks!
Can I cut this in half and have it cook the same? Have yet to use my instant pot. Brie
Yes same time just make sure you have enough liquid to cover the pasta
Needs salt, but otherwise a great recipe!
I wasn’t expecting this to be so tasty. I first cooked boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a cup of water with a tsp of better than broth, chicken flavored, for 12 minutes. Then I took out the chicken and measured the leftover water. I used 1 pound of spaghetti, broken in half so they fit and added water to the liquid to equal 4 cups. Then I added 2-3 cups of fresh broccoli on top. I cooked for 4 minutes as recommended. I shredded the chicken while the pasta cooked and added it to the pot once the pasta/broccoli was finished. Added the cheese and half and half afterwards. Besides adding a healthy dose of salt and pepper and a few shakes of garlic powder, it really didn’t need a lot of seasoning. Delicious!
Can you add fresh brocoli. And if so how long will it take?
Can you add raw chicken to the recipe? If so, does the cooking time change?
How do you think orzo would be in this recipe?
Can I use a rectangle slow cooker that sits on a heating element?
Can I use a rectangle slow cooker that sits on a heating element?
Looks like a winner recipe! I recently began using the sous vide technique and am interested in how you making your chicken that you mentioned on this page. Big fan here! Thank you!
Question, do you steam the frozen broccoli BEFORE adding it to the pasta/water? Otherwise, what function is a steamer basket that you speak of in the blog?
No I did not but it will be mixed right in if you don’t want that then yes steam and add after