I like to feed my family healthy, organic food as much as possible. But I’m going to be real with you. Sometimes I am tired and don’t feel like cooking. Sometimes I am working late and my teenager has to fend for herself. We have been known *gasp* to just order a pizza.
If you can relate to any of that or have found yourself in a drive thru at any point in the past month, keep reading, you’re my people.
Pizzas and fast food aren’t in line with our health goals, but they also aren’t very friendly on our budget. Since I got an Instant Pot it has paid for itself many times over by giving me quick and easy meal options that keep me out of the drive thru! The recipe I am sharing with you today is a one-pot meal that is ready in 5 minutes. You couldn’t get in your car and even drive to the pizza place in 5 minutes! I say it every time I share an Instant Pot recipe, but if you don’t have one, you definitely need one!
To Chicken Or Not To Chicken
I am a very long-time vegetarian, so I don’t eat chicken. For this recipe I love using Quorn Chick’n Cutlets. If you aren’t a vegetarian, you can use regular chicken breast in this recipe. Just sauté the chicken breasts on both sides and place under the pasta. I wouldn’t use more chicken than what will cover the bottom of the pot.
Instant Pot Alfredo
For this recipe you’ll need 1 lb of pasta. I use spaghetti and break it in half so it fits in the Instant Pot. I use a jar of alfredo sauce, and then 4 cups of water. The goal is to cover the pasta with sauce and water so it cooks evenly. I throw the Quorn Chik’n cutlets in on top, but like I said above, if you are using actual chicken, sauté it in the Instant Pot first and leave it on the bottom. Pop on the lid, cook it on manual for 5 minutes, then quick release. That is seriously it!
Substitutions
You can tweak this recipe to your taste. You can use TWO jars of alfredo sauce and cut the water down to two cups if you want a creamier alfredo. I, personally, am too cheap to do this. You can also add in some frozen veggies like peas or broccoli.
I have had pretty consistent results with the 5 minute timing, but your mileage may vary. If you like your pasta more al dente, cut a minute or so off the cook time. If you take the lid off and the pasta is too soupy, turn the instant pot onto sauté and cook off some of the excess liquid.
You can’t beat how quick and easy this is, and it’s pretty tasty! My whole family enjoyed it, even with the fake chicken. Check out my other Instant Pot recipes here. The Instant Pot has revolutionized how I cook, AND my grocery budget! I’d love to hear if you try this recipe.
