Instant Pot Dump and Start Alfredo made completely from scratch in under 20 minutes! This rich, creamy & dreamy meal is picky eater and kid friendly- making this meal a no-brainer!
Watch how easy it is to make Alfredo in your Instant Pot in this video!
Alfredo. Do you know what is better than alfredo? Alfredo made from scratch in under 20 minutes..with only 5 (okay, 7 if you count salt & pepper) ingredients? Yeah, I went there.
We eat this for dinner probably once a week because it is seriously SO delicious! I try to save it for a day of the week where I know I will be short on time, but let’s be honest, it’s so good that I will make it even when I’ve got all the time in the world.
This is a fool-proof recipe- great for newbies, seasoned Instant Potters, and totally kid approved!
Okay, let’s do this thang.
Chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, salt, pepper & noodles broken in half go into the pot. Make sure that all of the noodles are covered in liquid.
Manual high pressure for 6 minutes. (I like my noodles with a little bite to them, if you like yours softer I’d recommend cooking for a minute or two longer.) Let it naturally release the pressure for 6 minutes. The display will read L0:06 and then you can quick release.
It will be very liquidy when you take the lid off. That is a-okay and totally normal. Let it sit and cool for about a minute or so (very important!!) and then add in some parmesan cheese. You’ll want the real thing. None of that powdered stuff.
Gradually stir in the cheese. The cheese will melt into the sauce and thicken it.
Aaaand then, serve it up and say Bon Appetit!
Want something a little lighter? Try my Skinny Alfredo!
Dump and Start Instant Pot Alfredo
(Printable Recipe Below)
Perfectly delicious alfredo in under 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp minced garlic dried
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 lb dry linguine noodles broken in half
- 3/4-1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Add the broth, cream, garlic, salt, pepper and noodles to the instant pot in that order. DO NOT STIR, but make sure all noodles are covered. If you need to move some noodles around, thats okay.
- Set your Instant Pot to Manual for 6 minutes (I like my noodles with a little bite to them, if you like yours softer I’d recommend cooking for a minute or two longer) and then let it naturally release its pressure for an additional 6 minutes then quick release.
- Let the noodles and sauce sit for a minute or so. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Your cheese will not melt into the sauce if it doesn’t cool for a minute or two.
- Gradually stir in the parmesan cheese.
- It’s ready to eat, Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
This recipe can easily be doubled!
Leftovers are best when you add a splash of milk in after it is reheated.
Don’t want to use heavy cream? Check out the Skinny version of this recipe!
Dump and Start Instant Pot Alfredo
Perfectly delicious alfredo in under 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp minced garlic dried
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 lb dry linguine noodles broken in half
- 3/4-1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
-
Add the broth, cream, garlic, salt, pepper and noodles to the instant pot in that order. DO NOT STIR, but make sure all noodles are covered. If you need to move some noodles around, thats okay.
-
Set your Instant Pot to Manual for 6 minutes (I like my noodles with a little bite to them, if you like yours softer I'd recommend cooking for a minute or two longer) and then let it naturally release its pressure for an additional 6 minutes then quick release.
-
Let the noodles and sauce sit for a minute or so. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Your cheese will not melt into the sauce if it doesn't cool for a minute or two.
-
Gradually stir in the parmesan cheese.
-
It's ready to eat, Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
This recipe can easily be doubled!
Leftovers are best when you add a splash of milk in after it is reheated.
Can you use half and half cream rather than the heavy cream?
Can you use whole milk, so can be done lactose free? The parmigiana cheese, is a hard cheese and doesn’t both me.
Whole milk does not have enough fat and will cuddle under pressure. ? I am working on figuring out how to make this lactose free. I have had quite a few people ask the same thing. Sorry I don’t have better info for you right now!
I’ve never had my milk curdle in my IP but you can make anything lactose free by adding lactase drops a day or two before use.
That is great info! Thank You!
Maybe canned coconut cream/milk? I usually sub this for anything that calls for milk/cream
When cooking under pressure, we have to be very careful what type of milk products are used while pressure cooking. Heavy cream works great under pressure because the fat stabilizes the cream. Regular milk will curdle under pressure though. My Skinny Alfredo recipe uses evaporated milk instead of heavy cream though! The method is just a little bit different. Hope this helps a bit!
I have a problem with lactose also and milk and even half and half bother me but heavy cream and many cheese don’t. Greek yogurt is ok too.
This was, btw, heavenly! I used gluten free fetuccine and it worked out perfectly!
I am so glad you LOVED it! Glad to know that the gluten free pasta worked! I get that question quite often. Thanks for taking the time to comment. ?
I haven't ever tried it. Someone commented and said the lower fat content in half and half may cause it to curdle while under pressure though. If you do try it, report back and let me know if it was successful!
Can you add chicken to it also in instant pot?
I tried a few times a while ago and always had mixed outcomes with the chicken. Now I keep some cooked chicken in my freezer that I add after the noodles are cooked. If you wanted to try, I would cut up the chicken into cubes and then add on top of the noodles before cooking. If you try it, make sure to report back and let me know how it went!
I added already cooked chicken breast and cut up that I got at Sam’s, perfect!
Sounds delicious! Did you add before pressure cooking or afterward?
How many servings? What are the calories per serving?
This makes 4 large servings. If the Alfredo is being served with salad and garlic bread 6 people could easily be fed with this. I don’t know the calories per serving. There is a reason I haven’t checked. 😉 If you happened to plug all of the ingredients into a calorie calculator, let me know what it ends up being!
I calculated at 6 servings after adding 8 oz chicken 407 calories. Adding the chicken dries ir up so i recommend adding a bit more cream and broth to offset…
When do you add the cheese? The recipe doesn’t state this.
It’s #4. ? it looks like an ad was stuck in between 3 & 4. I’ll get that removed. Thanks!
Have you ever tried design fresh veggies like broccoli?
*adding
Fresh broccoli would turn to mush if it was under pressure for 6 minutes. ? I usually buy some frozen broccoli in the steamable bags and toss it into the microwave while the noodles are cooking. ?
I have a Crock Pot brand cooker. Do you know what setting would correspond to “Manual?” I’m trying the Rice/Risotto button. It cooks at a low pressure. Do you think that will work? (Guess I’ll know in about 20 min! : )
I’m sorry I am seeing this so late! How did it work out? This is usually cooked on high pressure. Do you have a high pressure button?
If I double this recipe, should I then cook for 12 minutes? Or would 6-8 still be okay? I’m a total newbie!!! This will be my first try!! Eeeekkkk!
Cook time would stay the same! This is a PERFECT meal for newbies! Let me know how you like it! 🙂
Would this work with flat rice noodles? Or would the timing change?
I haven’t ever used flat rice noodles in the Instant Pot so I can’t say for sure. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Dang it…. I added the cheese right away! Now I’m scared to open it ?
Oh man! How did it go? You’ll have to try it again and wait on the cheese! 😀
Actually it turned out fine!! ??
Sooooooo goooooood
I like cream cheese in my alfredo, usually seems to add that lil extra . Has anyone tried this? If so , putting it in initially would be fine?
I would add room temperature cream cheese at the very end with the parm if you want the cream cheese. Try a bite before you put it in though, the sauce is very creamy and cheesy already! ?
Hi,
This recipe call for grated Parmesan cheese. However the instructions say don’t use that powered stuff. The pictures also show shredded Parmesan… so go with shredded?
Yeah, the real shredded stuff. I just fixed the wording. Thanks!
Sooo the powder parm wont work for this recipe?
No, the Parmesan cheese melts and thickens the sauce so I am afraid the powdered parm would lead to a chunky liquid instead of ta hick and creamy sauce.
I added shrimp to my Alfredo pasta yum
I tried this recipe and it is so good! My kids love it and it’s so easy.
I’m so glad you and your kid’s loved it!
Made today. It’s is super super delicious!!! Amazing! Thanx. J
I’m so glad you think it’s as delicious as I do. ?
Just made this tonight!!!! OMG!!!!! This is delicious!!! Thank you for the recipe.
Do you think you could use zoodles in this recipe?
Forgot to add my 5 star rating!!!
You’re too nice!! I’m so glad you loved it! I haven’t every used zoodles in the IP before.. I should try it! If you give it a whirl, let me know how it works out!
Tried this 2 days ago. Used less parmesan and added pre cooked poor mans lobster it was AWESOME!!! Thanks for the recipe!
I am so glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to comment! 🙂
I made this tonight and it was seriously amazing!!! My family LOVED it and everyone had at least seconds. I doubled it and we still barely had any leftovers. I cut up raw chicken and added it to the pot along with the noodles and it came out perfect! This is definitely a new family favorite! Thanks for sharing! Would you mind if I post about how wonderful it is on my blog and link it back to yours?
That makes me so happy!! I am glad the chicken worked out. Go right ahead on your blog! Send them my way for the recipe. ? let me know when the post is up, I’d love to check it out! ?
Made this tonight with a 16oz box penne pasta high pressure for 3 mins and npr for 6 mins. Perfect! I used 2 cups chicken stock and 2 cups heavy cream and it was just the right amount. Absolutely delicious. Thx for sharing this recipe. Fast and easy and delicious………..
People have asked about using penne pasta, I’m glad it worked out! Thanks for taking the time to comment! Happy eating! ?
I did similar to Namcy tonight with a 16oz box Whole Wheate penne pasta high pressure for 4 mins and NPR for 6 mins. Perfect! I also used 2 cups chicken stock and 2 cups heavy cream and it was just the right amount. We like spicy 🌶 so I added 1/4 T cayenne and 1/2 T cajun spice mix. Served with fresh grilled vegetables. Easy and delicious!!
So glad you loved it, Kristi! I’m going to have to try it with the cayenne & Cajun spice mix!
I do not have dried minced garlic, can I use regular minced garlic?
Yes! 1/4 tsp dried minced garlic is equal to 1 clove of fresh garlic. So I would substitute it with 4 cloves or garlic. ?
I have a silly question… is heavy cream and heavy whipping cream the same? I seem to only find whipping cream?
Yes, same thing!! ? I’ll note that in the recipe. Thanks for commenting! Enjoy your dinner! ?
I have some fresh not dried linguine from Costco. If I used the same recipe but shorter time, I’m guessing it would be too runny? Should I decrease liquid, as long as there’s at least a cup for the pressure?
I would cook for a shorter time, half the time suggested on the package. I think if you still are using 1/2 lb of pasta, you won’t need to cut the liquid too much. It will look really liquidy right after you open the instant pot, but the Parmesan cheese will thicken up the sauce. ? let me know how it turns out!
I did all that.. Very yummy, great texture, but it was really soupy even after the Parm. I still have another 1/2 lb pasta to “experiment” ? So, I do plan on reducing the liquid some.
Keep the IP on “Keep Warm” after the initial 6 minutes cooking time?
Yes!!
There was a question and a mention about using 1lb of pasta. Cooking times and ingredients amounts stay the same?
If you use 1 lb of pasta, double all of the other ingredients as well. The cooking time remains the same.
in the above comments a couple people said they used 1LB (16 ounces) of penne pasta with only 2 cups of broth and 2 cups of cream, shouldn’t we need 3 of each to double it? I am confused on what to do to use a pound of penne noodles.
I would recommend doubling everything everything. That is how I make it when I double it. It always turns out great for me. 😊
Theirs just isn’t as saucy. Either would work, I prefer completely doubling the liquid. Does that help?
Yes thank you!
You are welcome! ❤️
Any idea if Greek yogurt can be used instead of heavy cream?
I haven’t tried it, but I don’t think the yogurt would be able to handle being pressure cooked. ? I think it would probably curdle. I have a ‘skinny’ recipe that calls for evaporated milk instead of heavy cream, though!
Here is what I did! I did not have chicken broth so I used 1 1/2 C. water with 1 chicken bouliion, 1 1/2 C. 2% milk, 4 oz. cream cheese, 1/2t. garlic powder and 1/2 Lb thin spaghetti noodles salt and pepper to taste. Then followed all your directions. I have a Crock Pot Express. Cooked on manual for 6 minutes, etc. like your directions! Stirred well upon adding the Paremsian Cheese and YUM!!! Would defintaly do it again!! I used what I had on hand!
Wow, you are a master improviser!! Sounds delish! 😊
I love Alfredo sauce but I can’t stand the jar stuff! This is so easy and delicious! I added shrimp, scallops, and spinach. Perfect easy meal. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you loved it, Jenna! What great additions!
I didn’t have linguine so I used fettuccine. It came out very running. Do you think that’s just from the pasta change? I guess the linguine would take up more space…
Hi Tracy- it will be very runny until the Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce and thickens it up. Did you use the real Parmesan cheese or the powdered Parmesan cheese? The powdered will not thicken the sauce at all. Hope this helps to troubleshoot a bit! Comment back if you have any other questions!
Thanks for the quick response Karli!! I used the real shredded parmesan. It melted and when straight to the bottom. I’ll definitely try it again with linguine this time.
I have had that happen once before, I turned the Instant Pot onto sauté and just stirred like crazy and it melted into the sauce once the sauce was hot enough for the cheese to melt into. Hope that makes sense! 😊
I want to make this for 1 (so 1/4 recipe). That would be 3/4 cup liquid. Is that enough (6 qt) or do I need to do it in a pot inside liner?
Hi Alice!! I think the pot would still come to pressure, my only worry is that the pasta won’t all be covered in liquid. The pasta needs to be covered in liquid to insure that the pasta will cook evenly. I don’t think making this PIP would make any difference, unfortunately. You might want to try to half the recipe instead, so that there is a thicker layer of liquid. Hope that helps and makes sense!
Thanks for the quick reply. I did quarter it and there was enough liquid. The taste is awesome! I used fettuccine and like it softer than you so did 8 minutes cook and 6 NR. Could have used another minute. Was very thin after adding cheese so I used sauté for a few minutes and was fine. Thanks for an easy recipe!
Glad that it worked out for you, Alice!! 😊
I didn’t think anything could be easier than Alfredo pasta on the stovetop but I was wrong. This version is every bit as delicious (maybe better!) as my usual recipe but has a lot less fat and only uses one pan. And it’s a dump recipe, too. Am I a little over the moon for this Alfredo sauce? Why, yes, I am. But it’s so good, so easy, one pan, fewer calories, dump and push start… what’s not to love?
I didn’t have any linguini or fettuccine so I subbed spaghetti noodles, cooked for 4 minutes with a slow release. By the time the sauce thickened they were perfectly done. We enjoyed it with your Garlic Parmesan Green Beans which didn’t work out quite as well, but were still very, very good.
I also wanted to let you know that I halved the recipe in my 3qt Mini and it was the perfect amount to feed the two of us. There was plenty of liquid to submerge the noodles and in fact this is the first time I’ve successfully cooked spaghetti noodles in my IP without clumping or burning. I’m new to your blog but have plans to make a few more of your recipe before the month is out!
Sandy! Your comment just made my day! ❤️ thank you for all of the kind words. I am so glad you have found my blog and that the Alfredo was delicious! Thank you for taking the time to comment, means the world to me! ☺️
Yum! I used Bailla Gluten Free Fettuccine, cooked for on manual for 9 min then 4 min NR before I did a quick release. I also used 1 c coconut milk, 1 c chicken broth, 1/4 c fresh grated Parm. This was restaurant quality for a fraction of the fat and calories. Thanks for the inspiration!
Sounds delicious, Rachel!! Thanks for taking the time to comment!! ❤️
This wont save to pintrest. It says the link may need to spam? Any ideas how to save it.
Hi Sharee- Pinterest is having issues today. Many websites, including mine, have been effected and have been marked as spam for some reason. They are working to resolve the issue. I will comment back when everything has been worked out! Sorry for the inconvenience!!
Just made this tonight and mine didn’t come out like your pictures. I used penne and followed directions and I had no sauce left, it all soaked up into the pasta. It was also pretty bland in flavor, so not sure what I did wrong?
Can anyone help??
Hi Dawn- so sorry this didn’t work out for you. A couple of things that could have gone wrong- I haven’t made this with penne, so that pasta might soak up more liquid than the linguine. As for the flavor, that would be related to not having enough sauce. I would try again with linguine, and the sauce should be much better. If you find that you still would like it with more flavorful, add in some extra Parmesan. Hope this helps a bit!
Thank you! I’ll try that!!!
Also, I used the Kirkland (Costco) brand pre-shredded Parm/Romano in the plastic tub, is that ok or should I shred my own from the blocks?
That is the kind of cheese I use, also! I am totally a believer in not making things harder than they need to be! Love the pre-shredded stuff!
Oh perfect!!! I wasn’t sure if that was the problem being Parm & Romano cheese not just Parm.
The recipe says, “minced garlic dried”. Exactly what does that mean?
It is found by the dried spices by the garlic powder etc. it is just dried, minced garlic. You could also substitute with 4 cloves of fresh garlic if you prefer.
Looking forward to making this and would love to add peas! I think I would add them after cooking before the cheese is stirred in, Do you think that would work?
Yes! That is exactly what I would do! Hope you love it!
Hi
If I wanted to use a different kind of pasta like penne, would it be the same amount? Would more liquid be needed? Thanks!
I haven’t ever made this with other pastas, but most of my readers who use penne tell me that there was no additional time or liquid needed. 😊
I made this tonight using fettuccine because that’s what I had and it was a hit – not one drop left. This will be a regular despite the calories. We’ll just exercise more on that day. My husband doesn’t like garlic so left that out and I like alfredo sauce with nutmeg so added a pinch. I also added more parmesan, about 1 1/2 cups total. So easy, so incredible. Honestly, can’t wait to make it again.
Do glad you loved it, Debbie! My husband absolutely loves it, too. Nutmeg is such a wonderful addition! Love it!
This was very good. I think because I added a whole cup of Parmesan it was a little thicker than what I cared for. A bit of milk added made it just right. Thanks for the recipe.
So glad you loved it, Jen!! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
This was delicious – I was very nervous pasta would be starchy and sauce would not be good – no butter. I was so surprised – it was wonderful. I will definitely be making it again. And making more recipes in my instant pot. Thank you!! I will be following your site!
Your comment made my night!! Glad it was a happy surprise for you. 😊 thank you for following! ❤️
hello there,
Will heavy whipping cream work??
thanks
Yes!
hello will heavy whipping cream work