Instant Pot Tortellini in Cream Sauce

Name: Instant Pot Tortellini in Cream Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 12 oz Dried Tortellini ((I used Cheese and Spinach filled)); 1 cup Spinach ((chopped)); 2-3 cloves Garlic ((minced)); ½ medium Onion ((chopped)); ½ medium Pepper ((chopped)); 3 tbsp Sun Dried Tomatoes; 1 tsp Italian Seasoning; ½ tsp Chili Flakes; 2½ cups Water/ Stock; ½ cup Mexican Blend Cheese ((shredded)); ¼ cup Whipping Cream; 1 tsp Salt; 1½ tbsp Olive Oil

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Instant Pot Tortellini in Cream Sauce; a 25 minute recipe for a delicious weeknight meal.

All made in one pot and never mushy or undercooked!

A white and black plate with tortellini cooked in cream sauce using the Instant pot.

Making pasta and noodles in the instant pot is a game changer! Ever since I started doing so, I rarely use the stove to make them.

The advantage with the Instant Pot is that the pasta or noodles along with the vegetables and sauce cook together. So it is like a one pot meal with far less steps.

We started this Instant pot journey with this Creamy Red Sauce Pasta followed by Vegan Thai Curry Noodles and Vegetable Chowmein. And after this tortellini in cream sauce, there has been no looking back!

Jump to:

What is tortellini
Why this recipe works
Why use the Instant Pot
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to make this recipe
Expert Tips and Notes
Recipe FAQs
Pairings
More Pasta Recipes
Instant Pot Tortellini in Cream Sauce

What is tortellini

A stuffed pasta that is available in grocery stores, tortellini is a mini form of wonton or ravioli.

The fillings might vary based on the kind of tortellini. They can be shelf stable or fresh. The former do not need refrigeration while the fresh ones come refrigerated or frozen.

When they are cooked in a light sauce, tortellini taste perfect. The sauce mixes with the mini stuffed pastas and give a super satisfying taste. I sometimes prefer them over ravioli as they are easier to enjoy with a fork! And they work well with kids too.

This recipe uses the dried ones that are shelf stable. I have not tried the fresh or frozen ones in the instant pot. They should work too.

Pro Tip: Simply halve the time written on the pasta/noodles package and subtract 2 to make it in the instant pot.

Why this recipe works

It is a one pot meal using the Instant Pot.
The recipe is also easy to customize to switch the sauce or add-ins.
This tortellini in cream sauce makes an amazing camping or picnic recipe as we only need one pot to put it together.
With under 10 minutes of active time, this recipe works wonderfully for busy weeknights.
While I use tortellini here, the same recipe works for any dry pasta.
Works really well with adults and kids.

Why use the Instant Pot

Cooking pasta in the instant pot makes it super simple. Just sauté, close the lid and cook. No need to boil the pasta separate, make the sauce etc. Thus the recipe that need a couple of pans can be converted to one-pot with the instant pot.

Take the guess work out of cooking. This timed recipe does not rely on checking if that pasta is cooked. Simply turn the instant pot off and enjoy perfect pasta each time.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Tortellini: The first ingredient here is dried tortellini. Use any brand of pasta that you like and the flavor you prefer. The larger the tortellini, the longer the time to cook.
Aromatics: Garlic, Onion and Pepper are great to add some texture and taste to the tortellini. Add or skip based on preferences.
Add-ins: To add some texture and veggies, I like to add spinach and sun dried tomatoes. However, adding more vegetables is an option too.
Seasonings: To season the pasta, I add a mix of Italian seasoning , chili flakes and salt. Adding some dried or fresh herbs, pepper powder or chili is an option.
Water/ Stock: Either of water or stock will work for the recipe. While stock yields a more flavorful recipe, water works too. I like to make my Vegetable stock in the Instant Pot too.
Cheese: To add creaminess to the recipe, I like to add shredded cheese. While any cheese works, I generally add the Mexican Blend Cheese. This can be skipped too.
Whipping Cream: The ingredient to make the creamy pasta creamy; we use whipping cream. Substitute with half and half to make a lower calorie version of the same.
Olive Oil: I use Olive Oil to make the recipe. However, it can be replaced with any neutral oil or even butter.

See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.

How to make this recipe

1- Set the instant pot to 'Sauté' mode. Once the display reads Hot, add olive oil.

2- Add in minced garlic, onions and peppers and sauté for a couple of minutes.

Collage steps to make Instant Pot Tortellini; heat oil and add aromatics to the oil in Instant pot.

3- Next add Italian seasoning, red chili flakes and salt and mix well.

4- Then deglaze using 2.5 cups of water or vegetable stock.

Collage steps to make Instant Pot Tortellini; add seasonings and deglaze using water.

5- Next add in sun-dried tomatoes and stir.

6- Then add the dried tortellini.

Collage steps to make Instant Pot Tortellini; add sun-dried tomatoes and tortellini.

7- Push it down to make sure it is covered with water/ stock.

8- Close the lid and press Cancel. Then set the mode to 'Pressure Cook' and adjust time to 5 minutes. Also, move the vent to sealing and complete the cooking cycle. As soon as the Instant pot beeps, move the vent to venting and release all the pressure. Open the lid.

Collage steps to make Instant Pot Tortellini; cook and open the instant pot.

9- Then add in cheese and cream.

10- Mix well, and add spinach.

Collage steps to make Instant Pot Tortellini; add cream, cheese and spinach to the pasta.

11- The heat will melt the cheese and wilt the spinach; mix it well.

12- Enjoy with a side of Garlic Bread or Focaccia.

Collage steps to make Instant Pot Tortellini; serve the pasta with fresh basil.

Expert Tips and Notes

This recipe is tested for shelf stable tortellini. If using any other brand or type, adjust the time to half and subtract 2 from the time mentioned on the package.
Adding more vegetables than the ones mentioned here works. Just sauté them with the onions and pepper and follow the same recipe.
The sauce here is light to ensure the flavor of the tortellini is not lost. It is not super saucy but does not feel dry.
To make the pasta super saucy; add ¼ cup extra cream. That will result is creamy pasta.
Moreover, adding marinara or pesto sauce is an option too.
The recipe can be made gluten-free by using an appropriate pasta brand.

Side view of tortellini cooked in Instant Pot and served with a creamy sauce on a white plate with seasonings around it.

Recipe FAQs

How long do you cook pasta in Instant Pot formula?

To cook any pasta recipe in the Instant pot, simply half the lowest time written on the package and subtract 2. For example; if the package says 12 minutes, then do 12/2 i.e. 6-2 i.e. 4 minutes.

Can we add vegetables to Instant pot Pasta?

Certainly. Simply sauté hardy vegetables in oil before cooking the pasta and add delicate vegetables after the cooking process is complete.

What is the ratio of pasta to water to cook in the Instant pot?

The ratio for a saucy recipe of pasta is 1:2. Add twice the water or stock to the pasta. However, for a drier version, reduce the water a little.

Can we make tortellini ahead of time?

Certainly. However, remember that the tortellini will absorb the sauce and liquids and become dry as it stands. Add more sauce or cream to enjoy after a while.

Pairings

This Tortellini in Cream Sauce pairs wonderfully with soups, breads, stir fries and vegetables. Here are some amazing sides to enjoy:

More Pasta Recipes

A large black bowl with tortellini in cream sauce cooked in the Instant pot topped with sun dried tomatoes.

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