10 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Weeknights

The Instant Pot has become a staple in many kitchens for its ability to quickly and easily cook a wide variety of meals. For busy weeknights when time is limited, having a set of go-to Instant Pot recipes can save you time and stress. In this article, we will be sharing 10 quick and easy Instant Pot recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights.

1. Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. ground beef
– 1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce
– 8 oz. spaghetti noodles
– 2 cups water
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:
1. Turn on the sauté function on the Instant Pot and brown the ground beef. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the marinara sauce, spaghetti noodles, water, salt, and pepper to the pot.
3. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 8 minutes.
4. Once done, do a quick release and stir the spaghetti and meatballs.
5. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

2. Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 packet taco seasoning
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 onion, diced
– 1 bell pepper, sliced
– Tortillas and toppings of your choice

Instructions:
1. Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot and sprinkle with taco seasoning.
2. Add in the chicken broth, onion, and bell pepper.
3. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Once done, do a quick release and shred the chicken using two forks.
5. Serve the chicken in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

3. Instant Pot Beef Stew

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. stew meat
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 carrots, sliced
– 2 potatoes, diced
– 1 cup beef broth
– 1 tsp. thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Brown the stew meat using the sauté function on the Instant Pot.
2. Add in the onion, carrots, potatoes, beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 35 minutes.
4. Once done, do a quick release and serve the beef stew hot.

4. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. elbow macaroni
– 4 cups water
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup milk
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Add the elbow macaroni and water to the Instant Pot.
2. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
3. Once done, do a quick release and stir in the cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve the mac and cheese hot.

5. Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. pork shoulder
– 1 cup BBQ sauce
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 onion, diced

Instructions:
1. Place the pork shoulder in the Instant Pot and top with BBQ sauce, chicken broth, and onion.
2. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 90 minutes.
3. Once done, do a natural release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
4. Shred the pork and stir in the BBQ sauce.
5. Serve the BBQ pulled pork on buns with coleslaw.

6. Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
– 1 cup rice
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 tsp. garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Add the chicken thighs, rice, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot.
2. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
3. Once done, do a natural release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
4. Serve the chicken and rice hot.

7. Instant Pot Chili

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. ground beef
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 can diced tomatoes
– 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 cup beef broth
– 2 tbsp. chili powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Toppings of your choice

Instructions:
1. Brown the ground beef using the sauté function on the Instant Pot.
2. Add in the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, beef broth, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Once done, do a quick release and serve the chili topped with your favorite toppings.

8. Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 can diced tomatoes
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 tsp. garam masala
– 1 tsp. cumin
– 1 tsp. paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– Fresh cilantro for serving

Instructions:
1. Add the chicken thighs, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, garam masala, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot.
2. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
3. Once done, do a natural release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
4. Stir in the heavy cream and serve the chicken tikka masala topped with fresh cilantro.

9. Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 lemon, juiced and zested
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 tsp. thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Add the chicken breasts, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot.
2. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 8 minutes.
3. Once done, do a quick release and serve the lemon garlic chicken hot.

10. Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients:
– 1 lb. flank steak, sliced
– 1 cup beef broth
– 1/2 cup soy sauce
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp. ginger, minced
– 2 tbsp. brown sugar
– 2 cups broccoli florets

Instructions:
1. Add the flank steak, beef broth, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar to the Instant Pot.
2. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
3. Once done, do a quick release and stir in the broccoli.
4. Close the lid again and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 1 minute to cook the broccoli.
5. Serve the beef and broccoli hot.

Cooking Tips:
– Be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific Instant Pot model.
– Use the sauté function to brown meats before pressure cooking for added flavor.
– Do a natural release for items that are prone to splattering, such as soups or beans.
– Make sure to stir in any dairy or creamy ingredients after pressure cooking to prevent curdling.
– Have fun experimenting with different spices and ingredients to customize these recipes to your taste preferences.

With these 10 quick and easy Instant Pot recipes, you’ll have delicious meals ready in no time on those busy weeknights. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, tacos, stew, or curry, the Instant Pot can make it all with minimal effort. Happy cooking!
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