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This Instant Pot Penne Puttanesca is made from only 8 simple ingredients but delivers BIG flavor thanks to Olives, Garlic, and Capers. An easy and healthy meal!
I didn’t know that Puttanesca sauce existed up until a few months ago, but once I discovered it, I was a hardcore fan. I mean, it’s (1) easy to make, and (2) pretty much has all of my favorite pasta ingredients in it. Need I say more?
“Spaghetti ala Puttanesca” is a classic Italian dish and, quite literally, translates to “worthless” or “whore.” This is because the basic sauce recipe is made using cheap and accessible ingredients. While Puttanesca falls short on cost, it definitely doesn’t compromise on flavor. Call me a cheap date, but I’d gladly enjoy this dish for a nice dinner any day 😉
Classic Puttanesca sauce is made using a combination of Olives, Capers, Garlic, Oregano, Anchovies, and Olive Oil. Basically, it’s a fragrant, rich, and salty sauce – so you know it’s going to be good. This plant-based version takes a slightly different route, but it still loaded up with Kalamata Olives, Capers, Garlic, and Spices to bring big flavor and heartiness to the dish.
Not only is this version just as delicious as the classic recipe, but it’s also Gluten-Free and ready in no time at all! The pasta cooks in only 5 minutes on High Pressure, and you have super easy cleanup since we are making the sauce and pasta together in the Instant Pot. Because it does cook so quickly, I decided to use Fire-Roasted Crushed Tomatoes to add extra depth of flavor that would normally be achieved through a long simmer.
This recipe will happily serve 4 people, especially with a side Salad or piece of crispy Garlic Bread. However you choose to serve it, this dish is just as satisfying as it is easy to make 🙂
If you’re looking for more easy Pasta recipes, you’ll also love this One Pot Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff, Lentil Bolognese, and this Garlic Cream Sauce Pasta! And if you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I love seeing your delicious recreations.
A Few Final Thoughts:
- You can make this recipe using either Gluten-Free or traditional Pasta. If you opt for Gluten-Free, I suggest using a variety that is made from Corn, Rice, or Quinoa. Bean-based pasta tends to fall apart with the pressure.
- The Pasta “sauce” will look very runny when you first open the Instant Pot, but never fear! Let it sit for 5 or so minutes and stir well – it’ll thicken up nicely, and still be piping hot upon serving.
- Like most pasta, this one will dry out with time. You can reheat it, but it is best fresh!
Instant Pot Penne Puttanesca
This Instant Pot Penne Puttanesca is made from only 8 simple ingredients but delivers BIG flavor thanks to Olives, Garlic, and Capers. An easy and healthy meal!
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 4–5 cloves of Garlic, minced
- ½ cup Kalamata Olives, cut in half
- 1 ½ tbsp Capers, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp Oregano
- ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 28 oz. Crushed Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 12 oz. Pasta of Choice*
- 3 ½ cups Filtered Water
- Fresh Basil, for garnish (Optional)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Turn on the “Sauté” mode of the Instant Pot, and add a splash of Water or Oil to the pot. Add in the Garlic, Olives, Capers, and Spices, then cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir the Tomato Paste and Fire Roasted Tomatoes into the mixture, until the Paste becomes evenly incorporated. Add the Pasta and Filtered Water to the pot, stirring well.
- Press “Cancel/Stop” to turn off the Sauté mode, then close the Instant Pot and set the valve to “Sealing”. Cook the Pasta on Manual High Pressure for 5 minutes, then manually release the pressure as soon as the timer goes off. Remember to press “Cancel” on your Instant Pot after it finishes cooking, to turn off the “Keep Warm” feature and prevent the Pasta from overcooking.
- Stir the Pasta well, and add Salt & Black Pepper to taste. Let the Pasta sit for 5 minutes in the iPot before stirring again and serving – this allows the sauce to thicken slightly! Divide the pasta into 4 bowls, then top with Fresh Basil and additional Black Pepper, if desired.
Notes
- You can use either regular or gluten-free pasta for this recipe. I recommend using shorter shapes over long noodles, and if you do use GF pasta, go with a corn/rice/quinoa base over a bean-based variety.
Keywords: one pot penne puttanesca, instant pot puttanesca, oil free puttanesca, vegan puttanesca sauce
Delicious! This is a very easy and impressive dish to make for yourself or company. My husband loved it. Bravo.
★★★★★
Thank you, Debra!
Um, this looks absolutely insane! I am excited to try this in my Instant Pot!
★★★★★
Hope you like it!
Made this recipe tonight. I thought i had penne at home and did not realize until it was time to add the pasta that all i had was rotini. It was a good taste but felt 5 min for the rotini was a bit softer than I liked. I will definitely try it again with penne
Ah, yeah, changing up the pasta will require a little modification to time!
I made this last night and we loved it. Aside from tasting so good, I love the convenience of cooking it all up in the IP.
Glad you liked it!
I made this for my family of four (including two teenagers). It filled my 6 qt IP and we had no leftovers. I’ll add kale next time. Great recipe! Thanks.
Thanks, Sarah! Glad the whole family enjoyed it.
Easy and tasty. I upped the capers, olives and pepper flakes. I never would hav3 considered cook8ng pasta in an instantpot but it works! The best part was how Simple cleanup was. Can’t beat that on a busy night!
★★★★
For sure! Thanks for the review, Frannie!
Can the sauce be made on its own without an instant pot?
Yes! I would sauté the initial ingredients the same way, skip the water, and let it simmer down for 10-15 minutes until nice and thick
Please tell me this is based on a Series of Unfortunate Events
Haha! It’s not but I am a fan 🙂
made this last night….amazing! so delicious and so easy!!! I love my instant pot and would love more recipes for that…Your recipes never fail 🙂
★★★★★
Thanks, Donna! I’ll keep that in mind 🙂
It looks very yummy.
Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe with us.
Wow, you totally read my mind cuz this is exactly what my hump day needs!
Can this recipes be made in a 3 at. Instant pot?
Thanks,
Deana
Hi Deana! I don’t think that would work, as the volume of ingredients is a little too close to 3 quarts and might overfill the pot