Easy Instant Pot Rigatoni with Meat Sauce 
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Easy Instant Pot Rigatoni with Meat Sauce – a classic pasta dish the whole family will enjoy. Perfect for busy weeknights with simple ingredients and easy prep!
Need more ideas for keeping dinner time stress free and family friendly? This Instant Pot Rigatoni Recipe is zero fuss, ready in under 15 minutes, and a one pot winner! I love when a meal comes together quickly with basic ingredients and super simple steps. It’s totally hands off, giving you time to chill or focus on other things while the pasta cooks. The best part…my husband and kids are all happy with dinner which is one of my favorite things. Give it a try, I know this will become a family favorite in your house too!
I love my 3 quart Instant Pot Duo and use it several times a week. Whether I’m meal prepping Hard Boiled Eggs, making Homemade Broth, or cooking an easy dinner like this Instant Pot Rigatoni, it always saves me time and hassle when preparing meals.
Why We Love Instant Pot Rigatoni
- It’s all made in one pot – no separate pots or boiling of noodles.
- It’s a quick meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner when there is little time to cook.
- Family friendly, even the pickiest eaters will love this recipe!
- Makes a lot! Plenty to feed a family of four with leftovers.
- This recipe uses basic inexpensive ingredients that are easy on the budget!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Rigatoni pasta – this hearty, tube-shaped pasta holds up well to flavorful sauces with meat.
- Marinara sauce – always read your labels when purchasing store bought jarred sauce and avoid ones with added sugar and preservatives. I like Rao brand Marinara or Ragu Simply.
- Olive Oil
- Ground pork – save money on your grocery budget by buying plain ground pork and adding seasonings to it.
- Italian seasoning – try my Homemade Italian Seasoning or use your favorite pre-made blend.
- Sea Salt
Swaps & Variations
- Pasta – use any larger shape or type of pasta instead of rigatoni.
- Meat – in place of the ground pork, try mild italian sausage, ground beef, or ground turkey.
- Sauce – use your favorite homemade pasta sauce in place of jar sauce.
- Add-ins – try including lots of vegetables such as chopped bell pepper, diced onion, and diced mushrooms.
- Spice it up by substituting hot italian sausage or adding some crushed red pepper flakes to the meat.
- After cooking, top with parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and/or fresh basil if desired.
- Make it gluten free by substituting a gluten free pasta.
How to Make Instant Pot Rigatoni
- Using the sauté function, heat the oil. Add pork and Italian seasoning to the pot and cook until browned, breaking into bits with a wooden spoon. Turn off the sauté button.
- Add the sauce and water to the pot. Give it a good stir, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the pasta and press to submerge it in the sauce mixture. If needed, add a little extra water to completely cover the pasta. Do not stir.
- Close the lid and move the valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for
- Perform a quick release of pressure, then remove the lid and stir the pasta. Serve immediately.
FAQs
What is quick pressure release?
Quick pressure release refers to venting the steam from the Instant Pot immediately after the cook time is complete. This prevents the food from continuing to cook any further and is important when cooking pasta in the Instant Pot.
How to store and reheat leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftovers will keep for 2-3 days and can be reheated in the microwave at 30 second intervals until warmed.
How do you keep pasta from sticking in the Instant Pot?
First, use enough water to completely cover the pasta noodles. Second, do NOT stir the pasta and water/sauce before cooking. This will prevent sticking.
What to serve with Instant Pot Rigatoni?
I love a simple green salad as a side dish to this meal. Check out my Meal Prep Salad Mix with Homemade Vinaigrette.
More Favorite Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce with Hidden Veggies
Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Casserole with Broccoli
Instant Pot Turkey Sloppy Joes
Easy Instant Pot Rigatoni with Meat Sauce
Ingredients
- 16 oz rigatoni pasta
- 24 oz marinara
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Homemade Italian Seasoning, see recipe below
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 3/4 cup water
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat oil in the pot using the Saute function. Add ground pork, seasoning, and salt. Cook, breaking into bits, until browned. Turn off the pot and drain off any excess grease.
- Add the marinara and water to the pot, stirring to combine.
- Add the pasta, pressing the noodles into the marinara/pork mixture. Do not stir.
- Seal the lid and cook for 6 minutes on the Manual setting (high pressure.)
- When cycle is complete, quick release the pressure. Open the lid and stir. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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Whole30
Vegetarian
Paleo
Keto Friendly
Gluten Free
6 Comments on “Easy Instant Pot Rigatoni with Meat Sauce”
I absolutely love this recipe! A must make for dinner time!
This really was such an easy dinner! And I loved that I could dump everything in the Instant Pot and it turned out perfectly!
Love this easy recipe, and the tender rigatoni pasta with the hearty meat sauce is so tasty. This is now a go-to favorite for busy weeknights!
Rigatoni pasta is like tasty little tubes that hold onto sauce in the most satisfying way. So good! 🍝🤤
This sauce was delicious. Such a great way to use the instant pot too.
I live for pasta and any meal that I can make in the instant pot is gold! Thank you for sharing this!