No-Chop Instant Pot Pasta Dinners With Pantry Staples & Frozen Veggies
We know that feeling when we walk in the door, drop our bags, and think, “Dinner too? Really?” On nights like that, we do not want to chop onions or babysit a pot. We want instant pot pasta that feels cozy, fast, and stress-free.
These no-chop pasta dinners use only pantry staples and frozen veggies, so we can skip the grocery run and still eat well. They are easy dinner ideas that work for busy weeknight dinners, tired weekends, and last-minute guests.
Every recipe here is simple, comforting, and family-friendly. If we can open a box, a can, and a freezer bag, we can make these quick meals with a smile.
Why No-Chop Instant Pot Pasta Works So Well
Instant Pot pasta is perfect for easy cooking because the pot handles the hard work. We add dry pasta, sauce, water, and frozen veggies, then walk away. In 10 to 20 minutes, dinner is done.
Most of these are true 30-minute meals, including time to pressurize and serve. They are quick recipes that use low-cost ingredients, so they double as budget-friendly recipes for family meals that do not drain our wallet.
For tools, we like a basic 6-quart Instant Pot, a silicone spatula, sturdy kitchen tongs, and glass meal prep containers for leftovers. We may earn a small commission if you buy through these links, and we always appreciate the support.
Now, let us walk through 18 no-chop instant pot pasta recipes that make weeknight dinners feel a whole lot lighter.
18 No-Chop Instant Pot Pasta Dinners With Pantry & Freezer Staples
1. Creamy Marinara Spinach Shells
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 6 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Dump-and-go, all shelf-stable and frozen.
We add medium pasta shells, jarred marinara, water, Italian seasoning, and frozen spinach, then cook on high for 6 minutes. Stir in cream cheese at the end, use any frozen greens we have, and pack leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
2. Cheesy Taco Pasta With Corn & Black Beans
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 6 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Uses cans and freezer bags we already own.
We mix short pasta, canned tomatoes with chilies, water, taco seasoning, frozen corn, and canned black beans. After cooking, we stir in shredded cheese; swap beans or veggies as needed, and the leftovers reheat into a perfect meal prep bowl.
3. Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Penne
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, tongs
Why it’s easy: Pantry pasta, frozen broccoli, no chopping.
Dry penne, broth or water, garlic powder, and frozen broccoli cook together for 5 minutes. We stir in butter and grated Parmesan, use any short pasta we like, and save extra for easy dinner ideas later in the week.
4. Alfredo Pea Bowties
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Jarred sauce plus frozen peas, nothing to prep.
We add bowtie pasta, a jar of Alfredo, water, and frozen peas, then pressure cook. A splash of milk thins it if needed, peas can swap with frozen broccoli, and leftovers make cozy family meals for quick lunches.
5. Pizza Night Pasta
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: All the pizza flavors, zero chopping.
We cook rotini with pizza sauce, water, Italian seasoning, pepperoni slices, and frozen pepper-and-onion blend. After cooking, we stir in mozzarella; we can sub salami or olives, and leftovers tuck nicely into meal prep containers.
6. One-Pot Chili Mac
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 4 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Uses canned chili for the flavor base.
Macaroni, canned chili, water, and a spoon of tomato paste go into the pot for 4 minutes. We stir in cheese at the end, swap chili for beans if we like, and the leftovers freeze well for emergency quick meals.
7. Buffalo Chicken Mac
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Starts with canned or pre-cooked chicken.
We combine elbow pasta, broth, hot sauce, ranch seasoning, and canned chicken. After cooking, we stir in cream cheese and a bit of shredded cheese; use any mild pasta shape we love, and reheat leftovers with a splash of milk.
8. Creamy Pesto Green Bean Pasta
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 4 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, tongs
Why it’s easy: Jarred pesto saves time and dishes.
Short pasta, water, a spoon of jarred pesto, and frozen green beans cook together. We stir in cream or half-and-half afterward, trade beans for peas if needed, and this one tastes even better the next day as a cold pasta salad.
9. Veggie-Packed Minestrone Pasta
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Uses canned beans and frozen mixed veggies.
We add small pasta, canned diced tomatoes, broth, Italian herbs, canned beans, and frozen mixed vegetables. After pressure cooking, a little olive oil on top finishes it, we can swap any bean we have, and leftovers make hearty meal prep bowls.
10. Cajun Chicken & Veggie Pasta
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Flavor from seasoning mix and frozen strips.
Penne, broth, Cajun seasoning, frozen bell peppers, and frozen cooked chicken strips cook together. We stir in a splash of cream or evaporated milk, adjust spice to taste, and the leftovers make bold, quick meals for busy days.
11. Lemon Herb Orzo With Peas
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 3 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Tiny pasta cooks in minutes.
Orzo, broth, garlic powder, dried herbs, and frozen peas cook on high for 3 minutes. We finish with bottled lemon juice and butter; swap peas for mixed veg, and this simple recipe works great as a side or light main.
12. Tomato Lentil Pasta
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 6 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Protein from pantry lentils, no extra steps.
We combine short pasta, red lentils, canned tomatoes, water, and Italian seasoning. After cooking, we add a drizzle of olive oil and Parmesan, use any small lentil we have, and leftovers become filling, budget-friendly recipes for the week.
13. Spinach & Artichoke Shells
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Uses jarred artichokes and frozen spinach.
We cook medium shells with broth, garlic powder, jarred artichoke hearts, and frozen spinach. Cream cheese and Parmesan get stirred in afterward; we can swap artichokes for canned mushrooms, and the leftovers feel like a restaurant treat in our lunchbox.
14. Tuna Sweetcorn Pasta
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 4 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Classic pantry tuna twist.
We add short pasta, water, a little mayo or Greek yogurt, garlic powder, and frozen corn, then cook briefly. After cooking, we fold in canned tuna; peas can replace corn, and chilled leftovers make an easy meal prep pasta salad.
15. Ranch Bacon Chicken Pasta
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Uses ranch mix and ready bacon bits.
Penne, broth, ranch seasoning, frozen peas, canned chicken, and bacon bits cook together. We stir in a handful of cheese; swap peas for broccoli, and leftovers reheat into cozy, kid-friendly family meals.
16. Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta
Prep: 3 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, spoon
Why it’s easy: Chickpeas and olives from the pantry.
We cook spirals with broth, canned chickpeas, canned tomatoes, sliced olives, and Italian herbs. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of feta at the end finish it; use any bean we have, and leftovers are perfect for cool meal prep lunches.
17. Broccoli Cheddar Mac
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 4 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, whisk or spoon
Why it’s easy: Frozen florets and bagged cheese.
Macaroni, broth, mustard powder, and frozen broccoli cook together. We stir in evaporated milk and shredded cheddar until smooth; swap broccoli for mixed veg, and this becomes one of our fastest weeknight dinners.
18. Buttered Noodles With Peas & Parmesan
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 4 minutes | Tools: Instant Pot, colander, spoon
Why it’s easy: Bare-bones ingredients, big comfort.
We cook egg noodles with water and salt, then stir in butter, frozen peas, and Parmesan on warm. Any small pasta works, leftovers reheat well with a splash of broth, and this simple recipe is our lazy-night hero.
Bringing It All Together
With these instant pot pasta dishes in our back pocket, dinner stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a smart shortcut. We get quick meals, easy dinner ideas, and stress-free meal prep from the same simple staples.
We use the pantry and freezer we already have, save money, and still serve warm, comforting bowls our family loves. Let us pick one recipe, set out the ingredients, and try it this week. Our future tired self will be so thankful we did.
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