Instant Pot broccoli cheddar pasta

Name: Instant Pot broccoli cheddar pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated; 12 oz penne; 3 cups vegetable broth; 2 tbsp butter; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp salt; 12 oz frozen broccoli, one bag; ½ cup milk; ¼ tsp black pepper

Penne and broccoli in a creamy cheddar sauce, made in one pot with a bag of frozen broccoli and about 10 minutes of work.

25 min total
10 min hands-on
Anyone can make this
Serves 4
About $1.89 a serving
650 calories
Good the next day
Vegetarian

Dolly says: I’d make this on a weeknight. It’s on the table in 25 minutes.

Ingredients

For 4 servings.

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
12 oz penne
3 cups vegetable broth
2 tbsp butter
12 oz frozen broccoli, one bag
½ cup milk

From your pantry

½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Each serving has about 650 calories, 28 g protein, 73 g carbs and 27 g fat, and costs about $1.89 at typical US grocery prices. Both are estimates from what the recipe uses.

Missing something?

No cheddar cheese? Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese or Mexican blend cheese works.
No penne? Rigatoni or elbow macaroni works.
No butter? Ghee works.
No frozen broccoli? Broccoli works.
No milk? Half-and-half works.

Steps

Tap an underlined word for a quick explanation.

the cheddar and set it aside.
Put the penne, broth, butter, garlic powder and salt in the Instant Pot, stir, and press the pasta down under the liquid.
Lock the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
Timer: 4 min
Dolly’s tip: It takes about 10 minutes to come up to pressure before the countdown starts. That’s normal.
When it beeps, carefully turn the valve to Venting with a long spoon, keeping your hand and face away from the steam.
Stir in the frozen broccoli, set the lid back on without locking it, and let it steam 5 minutes, until the broccoli is hot and tender.
Timer: 5 min
Stir in the milk, then the cheddar a handful at a time, until creamy.
Season with the pepper and serve right away.
Dolly’s tip: It thickens as it sits. A splash of milk loosens leftovers.