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Home » Recipes » Pasta & Noodles

Instant Pot Spaghetti Pesto

Dec 18, 2022. by Bhavana Patil. No Comments | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Vegetarian Spaghetti Pesto recipe is made with an easy and simple flavor-packed basil walnut pesto sauce, tossed with spaghetti pasta noodles and tomatoes made in an instant pot pressure cooker.

basil pesto spaghetti served in a white plate with tomaotes on top and lemon wedge on side

If you are using Store brought Pesto Sauce, then use ¾ to 1 cup for 8 oz of cooked pasta.

Storage: For any leftovers stored in an airtight container, stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

The basil pesto sauce will last up to 7 days in the fridge. If you plan to store for longer, add more olive oil on the top, so the pesto is not exposed to any air. 

How to make Spaghetti Pesto in Instant Pot

How to Cook Pasta

  • Stovetop Method: Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions (about 10-11 minutes). Once the pasta is cooked, drain excess water and keep it aside.
  • Instant Pot Method: Add dry spaghetti, oil, water, salt to the Instant Pot. Most of the spaghetti pasta should be covered in water. If it is not, add some more water. Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
  • I used spaghetti pasta in this recipe which has 10 minutes for cooking on the stovetop. So to cook on Instant Pot – Divide the cooking time by half and minus one for al dente pasta. So it's 4 minutes, for softer pasta, do 5 minutes.
  • When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release the pressure manually. Open the lid, and drain if there is any extra water.
step to cook pasta in instant pot collage

Make the Pesto Sauce

  • Add the basil, garlic, pine nuts, or walnuts to the food processor. Pulse several times until very finely minced.
  • Next, add lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. While the processor is running, slowly pour the extra virgin olive oil and process until the sauce is smooth.

Assemble

  • Add ¾ cup of pesto sauce to the pot, and toss well to ensure the spaghetti pasta is well-coated.
step to toss the sauce with the pasta noodles collage

Add in the baby tomatoes or roasted tomatoes. Give pesto pasta with tomatoes another toss to combine. Sprinkle over some chili flakes and top with parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

basil walnut pesto pasta in the instant pot insert

What to serve with Vegetarian Pesto Pasta

You or your kid can enjoy a big bowl of Creamy Pesto Pasta and call it a meal.

Variations to make Pesto Pasta

  • You can use spinach or kale instead of basil in this pesto sauce.
  • You can add Romano Cheese while making basil pesto sauce.
  • Make the pasta more healthy by adding boiled sweet corn, steamed broccoli, and baby mozzarella to this dish.
  • To make creamy pesto pasta add heavy cream to the pasta.
  • Use any kind of pasta. Try using Whole wheat, Lentils, or Veggie pasta for kids to make it gluten-free.

Tips

  • Do not heat the pesto sauce as loose its green color and lose its vibrancy.
  • The time to cook pasta in an instant pot is usually half of the suggested time on the pasta box and minus one for al dente pasta.
  • Make sure you have enough water to cover most of the pasta under water. Depending on the shape and size of the pasta, you may need more or less liquids. BURN ALERT? If your instant pot has shown BURN in the past, add ½ cup of extra water while making the pasta.

More Pasta Recipes

  • Creamy Tomato Pasta
  • Mayonnaise Veggie Pasta
  • Cold Pasta Salad
  • Creamy Spinach Pasta
  • Butternut Squash Pasta
  • Mac and Cheese (Instant Pot)
noodles served on a plate with cherry tomatoes on top
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Spaghetti Pesto served on a plate with cherry tomatoes on top

Instant Pot Spaghetti Pesto

Bhavana Patil
This Spaghetti Pesto is made with a easy and simple flavor-packed basil walnut pesto sauce, tossed with spaghetti noodles and tomatoes made in instant pot pressure cooker.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 3
Calories : 546
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 10 minutes
Total Time : 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml

    For Cooking Pasta in Instant Pot:

    • 8 oz spaghetti
    • 2 cups water
    • salt
    • ½ teaspoon oil optional

    For Homemade Pesto Sauce:[Serves 1 Cup]

    • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • ¼ cups pine nuts or walnuts
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese or romano
    • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • salt and pepper to taste 

    Garnish:

    • cherry tomatoes or roasted tomatoes
    • parmesan cheese or baby mozzarella cheese
    • red chili flakes

    Instructions
     

    How to Cook Pasta:

    • Stovetop Method: Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions (about 10-11 minutes). Once the pasta is cooked, drain excess water and keep it aside.
    • Instant Pot Method: Add dry spaghetti, oil, water, salt to the Instant pot. Most of the spaghetti pasta should be covered in the water. If it is not, add some more water. Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
      Using spaghetti pasta in this recipe which has 10 minutes for cooking on the stove top. So to cook on Instant Pot – Divide the cooking time by half and minus one for al dente pasta. So it's 4 minutes. For softer pasta do 5 minutes.
      When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release the pressure manually. Open the lid, drain if there is any extra water.

    Make the Pesto Sauce:

    • Add the basil, garlic, pine nuts or walnuts in the food processor. Pulse several times until very finely minced.
    • Next add the lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt and black pepper. While the processor is running, slowly pour the extra virgin olive oil and process until the sauce is smooth.

    Assemble: 

    • Add ¾ cup of pesto sauce to the pot, and toss well to make sure the spaghetti pasta is well-coated.
    • Add in the baby tomatoes or roasted tomatoes. Give pesto pasta with tomatoes another toss to combine. Sprinkle over some chili flakes and top with parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

    Notes

    I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT.

    Variations to make Pesto Pasta

    • You can use spinach or kale instead of basil in this pesto sauce.
    • You can add Romano Cheese while making basil pesto sauce.
    • Make the pasta more healthy by adding boiled sweet corn, steamed broccoli, baby mozzarella to this dish.
    • To make creamy pesto pasta add heavy cream to the pasta.
    • Use any kind of pasta’s. Try using Whole wheat, Lentils, or Veggie pasta for kids to make it gluten-free.

    Tips to make Spaghetti Pesto:

    • Do not heat the pesto sauce as loose its green color and lose its vibrancy.
    • The time to cook pasta in instant pot is usually half of the suggested time on the pasta box and minus one for al dente pasta.
    • Make sure you have enough water to cover most of the pasta underwater. Depending on the shape and size of pasta you may need more or fewer liquids. BURN ALERT? If your instant pot has shown BURN in the past, add ½ cup of extra water while making the pasta.
     
    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 546kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 14gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 621mgPotassium: 587mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1344IUVitamin C: 6.7mgCalcium: 133mgIron: 2.2mg
    Keyword instant pot spaghetti pasta, pesto pasta
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @indianveggiedelight or #indianveggiedelight

    Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for healthy & tasty video recipes. Looking for Instant Pot recipes, then check out my Instant Pot Recipes board on Pinterest.

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    Hi There! Welcome to my blog! I’m Bhavana. Here you’ll find easy recipes for your Instant Pot, Kids Lunch Box ideas, Keto/LowCarb, Air-fryer recipes plus more wholesome, easy Vegetarian/Vegan Indian recipes that your family will love. More about me →

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