51 Easy Instant Pot Recipes For Quick Weeknight Dinners In 2022

Jun 23, 2022

These Instant Pot recipes are about to save you from hunger and hefty takeout bills on busy nights. Not only are they great for summer nights when you'd rather be outside than in the kitchen all evening, but they'll also come in handy when the school year starts and you have to prep a lunchbox everyday.

If you own an Instant Pot, you know just how valuable the modern pressure cooker is. It saves you time, money, and tons of effort when preparing everyday dishes. The device can be a bit daunting, though, when figuring out what recipes to make and how to make them. That's where the following beginner Instant Pot recipes come in.

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Instant Pot Recipe With Vegetarian Frittata

Instant Pot Meal with Vegetarian Frittata

Frittatas may be your norm for brunch, but they also make for an easy fridge clean-out dinner. Easy, quick, and tasty? Who wouldn't want to make this Instant Pot recipe?(via Brit + Co)

Tuscan White Bean Soup

This beginner-friendly soup is nutritious thanks to eight different vegetables. It receives richness from sweet Italian sausage and lots of cannellini beans. Plus, it’s blissfully Tuscan thanks to juicy San Marzano tomatoes, lemon, and fresh parsley. (via Brit + Co)

15-Minute Instant Pot Rice

Photo via Mgg Vitchakorn/Unsplash

All you need to make rice in your Instant Pot is water, salt, and, well, rice. The most important part of this whole process as far as we're concerned is the fluffing, because getting that fluffy consistency is vital for any and every rice recipe. (via Brit + Co)

Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta if you're trying to incorporate more low carb recipes into your diet. Plus you aren't dealing with all the extra additives of a typical noodle. The actual cooking only takes around 20 minutes so it makes for a great quick dinner. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Salmon With Garlic Potatoes and Greens Instant Pot Recipe

A complete salmon dinner in under 30 minutes? Yass, please. This amazing crock pot recipe is so simple and includes all sides in one pot. Forget about multiple pots and pans, and enjoy this delectable dish that includes only four simple steps.(via Food Network)

Fluffy Quinoa Instant Pot Recipe

The keys to fluffy, flavorful quinoa: rinse off the pseudo-grain’s bitter coating with water first, then sauté it in the Instant Pot until toasted. After you've done those steps, you can cook it with broth on the gadget’s rice setting and voilà. An easy and delicious meal. (via Brit + Co)

Pressure-Cooker Ramekin Eggs

Your favorite veg, eggs, and cream go into individual ramekins, get pressure-cooked, and come out ever-so-slightly soft so you can spread the whole thing over toast. This is seriously one of the best breakfasts ever, and your brunches will never be the same! (via Brit + Co)

Steamed Cod With Ginger Scallion Sauce

From a frozen state, fish only takes 5 minutes to pressure-cook. Yes, you read that right. From there, it’s just about adding the sauce and serving with rice for a complete meal. (via Brit + Co)

Instant Pot Carnitas

Pressure-cooker carnitas mean you can decide you want tacos at 6pm and sit down with a plate of porky goodness by 6:35pm. This flexible recipe has a flavorful base of pork shoulder, aromatic veggies, adobo sauce, and beer, but you can also get creative by adding your own combination of herbs and seasonings. (via Brit + Co)

Quick and Easy French Dip Sandwich

Our version of Pinterest’s most-pinned Instant-Pot recipe cooks tender chuck roast in nutty ghee, which we serve on buttered pretzel rolls with mild cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and leftover juices for dipping. We won't blame you if you're drooling right now. (via Brit + Co)

Hard Boiled Eggs Without A Stove

Why make hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot? Because of the change in pressure, they’re a lot easier to peel than their traditionally boiled counterparts, so you can spend more time eating your eggs and less time wrangling with tough shells. From there, chop them up into an egg salad over toast for a simple dinner. (via Brit + Co)

Mashed Potatoes

$\u200bInstant Pot Mashed Potatoes instant pot recipe$

Greek yogurt is one of our favorite breakfast foods, and it's also the key to getting your mashed potatoes extra smooth. The great thing about the Instant Pot is that while it's cooking, you can be preparing your other food, or cleaning up the dishes to save yourself time later. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Baked Potato Soup

Gussy up this Instant Pot potato soup with all your fave fixings. This is great for any time of day and can include all your favorite loaded baked potato toppings. We always go with bacon, cheese, and chives. (via Brit + Co)

Paleo Orange Chicken

The classic American-Chinese staple is made even quicker when seared and pressure-cooked in the IP. Add a little bit of sriracha for a sweet and spicy flavor that's unmatched. (via Brit + Co)

3-Minute Salmon Dinner

Salmon, sweet potatoes, and broccoli can be steamed up all together in three minutes via the wonders of the Instant Pot. We'll never say no to a dinner this quick *and* this delicious. (via Brit + Co)

Pumpkin Walnut Chili

This vegan chili is full of nuts, grains, and lots of yummy pumpkin. But don't worry, thanks to canned pumpkin, it doesn't have to be October to make this Instant Pot recipe. (via Pinch of Yum)

Instant Pot Butternut Squash

Photo via Sarah Dubler/Unsplash.

While you need the better part of an hour for the normal butternut squash method, this new and improved version only takes 12 minutes. We don't know about you, but we're fixing this Instant Pot recipe all the time from here on out! (via Brit + Co)

Basic Pressure-Cooker Chicken Breasts

All you need is water, salt, and pepper to make this 10-minute chicken breast, which is easy to shred for salads, soups, and more. For extra moisture and flavor, we suggest brining the chicken in salt water overnight and sprinkling in a touch of brown sugar and peppercorns. (via Brit + Co)

Pressure-Cooked Vegetarian Chili

This fool-proof recipes relies on quinoa to naturally thicken the chili. Not only will it help with the consistency but it will also leave you feeling fuller. (via Brit + Co)

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

You can whip up this creamy chicken pasta in less time than it takes to go out for an Italian dinner. Plus making it together is a fun family activity or date night idea. Count us in. (via Brit + Co)

Instant Pot Beef Stew

You'll want to go ahead and bookmark this Instant Pot recipe because chances are, after you make this stew for the first time, you’ll go back again and again. (via Brit + Co)

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

$\u200bInstant Pot Steel Cut Oats instant pot recipe$

Need a filling breakfast? Look no further than this Instant Pot oatmeal! Use your favorite milk and coconut oil to make it creamy, and top with all your favorite berries, cinnamon sugar, or go for a banana + peanut butter + chocolate chip combo. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Butter Chicken Instant Pot Recipe

Spicy butter chicken makes for a romantic weeknight at-home date night. Serve with plenty of basmati rice for scooping up that addictive sauce, and enough slices of naan to literally wipe your plate clean. (via Brit + Co)

Pressure Cooker Ramen Soup

Authentic-tasting ramen can be hard to come by. The secret to making it yourself is homemade chicken broth, which the Instant Pot makes possible in under an hour. We'll sprinkle a few sheets of dried seaweed right on top. (via Steamy Kitchen)

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

You’ll never think of chicken as boring once you’ve tasted this Filipino adobo, which is redolent with garlic, vinegar, and pepper. Serve with some raw veggies to add some different temperatures and textures. (via Savory Tooth)

Instant Pot Veggies

Dinner gets boring really quickly when you’re serving the same side dishes day after day. With just four ingredients and less than five minutes, you could have these veggies on the table, ready to accompany any main dish. (via 365 Days of Slow + Pressure Cooking)

Salmon With Chili-Lime Sauce

Eating healthy is a cinch with a pressure cooker. There are no time excuses, and you have the advantage of using minimal to zero oil when cooking your protein, like this chili-lime salmon. (via Savory Tooth)

Thai Chicken Rice Bowl

Put that sauté function on your Instant Pot to good use with this Thai-inspired rice bowl. Counteract the soft cooked texture with crunchy peanuts and raw carrots to serve. We're obsessed. (via Wondermom Wannabe)

Pressure Cooker Bang Bang Pasta

If this Thai-American dish is a household favorite for delivery nights, then this recipe will be invaluable. It'll be good to your taste buds and your wallet! (via Kirbie’s Cravings)

Pressure Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Your beef chuck roast will never come out tough or dry when you make it in the Instant Pot. You can thank us later. (via Savory Tooth)

Instant Pot Thai Chicken Noodles

You don’t have to look much further for your perfect meal. These restaurant-worthy Thai noodles are everything you’ve ever dreamed of, and they’ll be ready in just 15 minutes. (via 365 Days of Slow + Pressure Cooking)

Easy Mac and Cheese Instant Pot Recipe

Say goodbye to powdery boxed macaroni and cheese and take the guesswork out of making it at home with this simple Instant Pot version. They're still just as creamy as your go-to stovetop version. (via 365 Days of Slow + Pressure Cooking)

Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts

Thankfully, side dishes like these bacon-y Brussels sprouts aren’t immune to the power of the Instant Pot. Thank goodness! (via Savory Tooth)

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

This time- and money-saving one-pot chicken Alfredo uses only the Instant Pot so dirty dishes can be kept to a minimum. That way it cuts your prep time and your cleanup time. (via No. 2 Pencil)

Sweet Potato Chili Instant Pot Recipe

Now that you have an Instant Pot, you’ll finally be able to make chili with the press of a button. The best part? It takes only 10 minutes but still tastes phenomenal. (via Wondermom Wannabe)

Restaurant-Style Chicken Tortellini

Keep your homemade Italian seasoning on hand, and you can make this authentic dish whenever your heart desires. Serve the finished chicken on tortellini with a creamy sauce, diced tomatoes, and basil. (via 365 Days of Slow + Pressure Cooking)

Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole

This ultra-creamy sweet potato recipe only gets betters when you top it with pecan streusel. We'll take two please. (via Sweet Peas and Saffron)

Instant Pot Carnitas

Use the slow-cooker setting on your Instant Pot for succulent, beer-braised pork shoulder. Doesn’t it look dang good in the center of that burrito bowl? Top with avocados, black beans, and pico de gallo for a complex flavor + texture + temperature combo. (via The Roasted Root)

Instant Pot Whole Chicken

A healthy dose of dried herbs and garlic powder help brighten up this chicken dish. It takes just 40 minutes to get it from the Instant Pot to your table. (via Savory Tooth)

Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce

In less than 15 minutes, sauté and pressure-cook your way to luscious tomato sauce. You'll never go back to the store-bought stuff again. (via 365 Days of Slow + Pressure Cooking)

Instant Pot Stuffed Cabbage

Sorry, Grandma, but this stuffed cabbage is just as good as yours and way easier. Bring it to all your family gatherings from here on out! (via Girl and the Kitchen)

Instant Pot Lo Mein

The Instant Pot is basically a takeout food-lover’s best friend. Enjoy cooking everything from perfectly tender noodles to veggies and cut your spending down. (via Kirbie’s Cravings)

Instant Pot Sesame Chicken

Takeout may seem like the better dinner choice when you’re short on time, but cooking at home can be *much* faster. With your Instant Pot, you can have sweet and spicy honey sesame chicken on the table with the press of a button. (via Julie Harrington)

Keto Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs

We thought meatballs couldn't get much better but stuff them with cheese and suddenly they're a whole new meal that we can't get enough of. We love to use them on top of zoodles but any old noodles will work too ;). (via Brit + Co)

Pork Lettuce Wraps

When all else fails, lettuce wraps are a great last-minute dinner that you can use to clean out your fridge. They also make for a great alternative to bread if you're on a low-carb or gluten-free diet. These happen to be full of nutrients and get a surprise texture from wheat berries. (via Sidewalk Shoes)

Instant Pot for Chicken Tortilla Soup

At once light and hearty, chicken tortilla soup is the meal you’ll crave when you want some comfort food that won’t make you need a nap afterward. (via The Seasoned Mom)

Vegan Curried Lentil Cauliflower Soup

This cauliflower and potatoes soup tastes creamy, but has none of the dairy of the usual recipe. Delicious lentils give this robust recipe plenty of texture and protein and a little bit of lemon juice makes the flavors really pop. (via Vegetarian Gastronomy)

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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51 Easy Instant Pot Recipes For Quick Weeknight Dinners In 2022

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