5 Instant Pot Recipes You Must Try

Do you love cooking, but thinking about all the prep and hours spent in the kitchen exhausts you? Are you looking for delicious recipes that won’t have you slaving over the stove? If this sounds all too familiar, an instant pot is the answer.

An Instant Pot is a multi-functional appliance that you can use to pressure cook, slow cook, steam food, or sauté vegetables. You can also use it to warm food or whip up finger-licking desserts. What’s best is that you can make a delicious, healthy meal in minutes.

Here are five instant pot recipes to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable:

• Risotto ai Funghi

This creamy Italian-style mushroom risotto is an incredibly flavorful meal prepared in less than 30 minutes using your Instant Pot.

You’ll need:

• Eight ounces of chopped mushrooms
• Three minced garlic cloves
• Two cups of Arborio rice
• One tablespoon of olive oil
• One tablespoon of butter
• Four cups of vegetable or chicken broth
• ½ cup white wine
• ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt
• Two tablespoons butter
• Four ounces of grated parmesan cheese
• Parsley for garnish

Adjust your Instant Pot to sauté mode and high heat for this recipe. Heat olive oil in the pot and add mushrooms, sprinkling with salt. Stir until they begin to brown. Set aside half of the sautéed mushrooms.

Now, add butter to the pot with the remaining mushrooms. When it’s melted, add the garlic and the rice. Next, pour in the wine and broth and lock the lid.

Set your Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, release the pressure and add the reserved mushrooms. Stir in butter and cheese and garnish. Follow this popular instant pot risotto ai funghi recipe to prepare a perfectly creamy and delicious risotto and learn about substitutions, storage, and other tips.

• Baby Back Ribs 

You no longer need to slow-cook your ribs in the oven or barbecue them for hours. Prepare them in your Instant Pot within an hour and enjoy a delicious, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone meal.

You’ll need:

• Three pounds of baby back ribs
• Two tablespoons of olive oil
• ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• One cup of beef broth or stock
• Three tablespoons dry rub or store-bought BBQ sauce

First, cut the ribs into two sections and pat them dry. Rub the ribs with salt, pepper, and your favorite dry rub or barbecue sauce. Next, heat oil in the Instant Pot on the sauté setting. When hot, add the ribs in batches and sear each side until lightly browned. Remove from the pot and set aside.

Add the broth or stock to the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom. Place a trivet inside the Instant Pot with handles facing up, and stack the ribs so they overlap slightly. Lock the lid on and cook for 25 minutes on high pressure.

• Mac and Cheese 

Remember how you used to wait forever for mac and cheese to cook in the oven? Now, with your Instant Pot, you can have it ready within minutes.

You’ll need:

• Two cups of uncooked macaroni pasta
• Two cups of unsalted water or chicken stock
• One teaspoon of salt
• Two tablespoons of butter, divided
• Two cups of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• One tablespoon flour
• ½ cup milk

Combine uncooked macaroni noodles, water or stock, and salt in the Instant Pot. Next, stir in one tablespoon of butter. Secure the lid and select the Manual/Pressure Cook setting for 2 minutes on high pressure. When the timer goes off, do a quick release. Stir well, and enjoy!

• Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

All chicken lovers will enjoy this Mexican-inspired salsa chicken. The mouthwatering combination of salsa and spices makes for a flavorful meal.

You’ll need:

• Four chicken breasts, diced
• One can of black beans
• One can of corn
• One cup of salsa
• Two teaspoons of paprika
• Two tablespoons of olive oil
• One teaspoon of cumin powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in the Instant Pot on sauté mode. Add chicken and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add black beans, corn, salsa, paprika, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Secure the lid and select Manual/Pressure Cook setting for 12 minutes on high pressure. When the timer goes off, quickly release it and check for the ideal internal temperature for doneness.

• Instant Pot Chocolate Cheesecake 

Every dinner needs a delicious dessert, and what’s better than a rich and creamy cheesecake? Now, you can make it quickly with your Instant Pot.

You’ll need:

• 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup of butter, melted
• Three 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• One cup of granulated sugar
• Two tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• Two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
• Four large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and melt the butter. Pour melted butter over graham cracker crumbs in an 8-inch springform pan and mix until evenly distributed throughout. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan and set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, salt, and flour, then mix until combined. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Pour mixture into springform pan over graham cracker crumb crust. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.

Secure the Instant Pot lid and select Manual/Pressure Cook setting for 20 minutes on high pressure. When it’s done, allow the cheesecake to cool before cutting and serving.

Conclusion: 

Isn’t it amazing how quickly and easily you can make delicious meals with your Instant Pot? One of the most popular recipes is the Instant Pot risotto ai funghi – a creamy and flavorful mushroom risotto full of Italian flavors. Or, prepare mac and cheese in your Instant Pot for a creamy and comforting meal. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, why not try the Instant Pot chocolate cheesecake? Its rich flavor and velvety texture make it a winner every time. So, give these recipes a go!