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Instant Pot Penne Marinara Recipe Made Easy

Instant Pot Penne Marinara

A simple one-pot vegetarian pasta made with dry penne, jarred marinara, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. It is ready in approximately 25–35 minutes and serves 4–6 people.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound (454 g) Dry penne pasta
  • 1 24-ounce jar (about 680 g) Marinara sauce
  • 3 cups (720 ml) Water
Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste Kosher salt
  • 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon, optional Red-pepper flakes
Optional Finishes
  • 1 tablespoon, optional Olive oil
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
  • As desired Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Pour 3 cups of water into the Instant Pot. Add the dry penne and spread it into an even layer; if using minced garlic, scatter it over the pasta.
  2. Pour the marinara sauce over the pasta without stirring it thoroughly into the bottom. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and optional red-pepper flakes, then gently press down any pasta that is not covered by liquid.
  3. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 4 minutes for al dente pasta or 5 minutes for softer pasta.
  4. When cooking ends, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes. Carefully perform a quick release afterward.
  5. Stir the pasta thoroughly, let it stand for 2–3 minutes to thicken, and serve with Parmesan and chopped basil or parsley.

Notes

Keep the marinara sauce on top rather than stirring it into the bottom before pressure cooking, which helps reduce the chance of a Burn warning. Pasta continues absorbing liquid as it rests, so begin with 4 minutes if you prefer firmer pasta.