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! Serve alongside some Oven Roasted Broccoli!
Want something a little lighter? Try my Skinny Alfredo!
Don’t want to use heavy cream? Check out the Skinny version of this recipe!
Try These Other Great Recipes:
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Italian Chicken Pasta
- Five Cheese Ziti
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Instant Pot Chicken Florentine Pasta
- One Pot Chicken Lo Mein
- Tomato Basil Pasta
- Instant Pot Stir Fry
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Alfredo Sauce
- All Pasta Recipes
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Dump and Start Instant Pot Alfredo
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!
Notes
Nutrition
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.
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Devyn says
Can you use grated instead of shredded Parmesan?
Karli Bitner says
Hi Devyn, no, the grated parmesan cheese in the green can will not work with this recipe. The shredded parmesan cheese is used to not only flavor but to melt and thicken the sauce. the powdered cheese will not act as a thickening agent. Hope this helps!
Kristy says
The sodium is way high. Is that from the noodles ? I’d use zucchini noodles in place. Would that bring it way down ?
Karli Bitner says
Thanks for the question Kristy. Yes, if you used zucchini noodles in place of the recipe noodles the sodium content would go down. However, I have tried this with zucchini noodles and they seem to get very mushy when cooked in the instant pot. If you make it work please let me know your secret. Thanks!
Ashley says
Can this recipe be doubled for more servings?
Karli Bitner says
Yes! Double the ingredients, the cook time stays the same.
Kristen says
My store is out of linguine. Can we use rotini spirals?
Karli Bitner says
Hi Kristen, That should work fine, I suggest adjusting the time down to 4 minutes HP with a 4-6 minute NPR. Hope this helps!
Jamie says
I’ve tried making this recipe 2x without success. Both times i used fettuccini noodles rather than vermicelli which i admit is part of the problem. But i just cant see alfredo with skinny vermacelli. Lol
Also both times i doubled the recipe.
This time i set timer on manual for 16 min. Let it NR for 16 min. Still the noodles are very undercooked and starting to brown n stick to the bottom (though not burned).
I stirred now and had to add a little more cream and broth as it was almost thick even without the cheese.
I am letting it sit on warm for another 15 min to see if it will get done before adding cheese.
Any suggestions on how to make this come out using fettuccini noodles? Maybe cooking in oly broth first for a time and then priceeding?
Karli Bitner says
You may need more liquid to account for the larger noodle. If the pasta isn’t completely covered with liquid prior to pressure cooking, it won’t get cooked, which is possibly why the noodles are undercooked. Try adding an extra 1/2 cup- 1 cup of liquid next time! (a mix of broth and cream is what I would do).
Steve Clarke says
Doesn’t the cream curdle if pressure cooked?
Karli Bitner says
Hi Steve- The cream will not curdle in the Instant Pot because the fat content is high enough to stabilize the cream while pressure cooking. This is true for full fat heavy cream only. Half and half, whole, 2%, 1%, skim etc will curdle.
Michael Cline says
So easy and so tasty!!! I added pre-cooked chicken after adding the cheese.
Karli Bitner says
I’m glad it worked out of you Michael. Thanks for letting me know.
Lynn says
I’ve made this 3x already and its the only alfredo recipe my family loves! I double the recipe and use bow tie noodles and each time the noodle come out perfect!
Karli Bitner says
You rock Lynn! Thanks for letting me know. I’m glad this is your families go to recipe, it makes me so happy.
Monica says
I want to add shrimp and broccoli… do you suggest adding them in the instapot or cook separately?
Karli Bitner says
Hey Monica! I would cook them separate, the broccoli will become very mushy. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Joan Macpherson says
I only had 3.4 oz of the pasta so halved the ingredients. It was awesome . A little left over sauce was used as a dip with Quavers and a glass of wine. This was a big lunch treat as I hardly drink wine and try to eat healthily. So enjoyed this😀. I did add a tiny amount of chopped crispy bacon too lol . Thanks for the recipe.
Karli Bitner says
My husband says that bacon makes everything better, I’m so glad it turned out well and you enjoyed it.
Chasidy says
Made this for dinner tonight!!! (I add chicken though) Was really really really good!!! I have a picky eater and she LOVED it!!!!
Karli Bitner says
Hey Chasidy, it makes me so happy to hear that your picky eater likes it. I have a couple of those and it is difficult to find meals they like. Keep on cooking!
Tracy says
I have made this recipe (doubled) many many times, but keep forgetting to comment. I use fettuccini and add one minute to the cooking time. It’s a family favorite!
Karli Bitner says
I am so glad that you have enjoyed this recipe over and over again! Thanks, Tracy!
Renee says
Absolutely delicious! I ended up using fettuccine noodles and I think I figured out a way to cook them really well. I upped the portions by adding 1 and 3/4 cups of cream and 1 and 3/4 cups of chicken stock. Then I cooked on high pressure for 8 mins and let the steam release naturally for 8 mins. I hope this helps those using a larger noodle! Thanks Karli for this delicious recipe
Karli Bitner says
Thanks for the comment Renee. I’m so glad you liked it, you rock!
Lacey says
Total win with all members of this household. This pasta is amazing!!! I started the IP in sauté mode and threw some mushrooms in first to sneak in some extra veggies for a picky toddler. Toddler had seconds of this which is rare.
Karli Bitner says
You go Lacey, I’m so glad that this is picky toddler approved! Thanks of the comment.
Cassie says
If I want to make chicken Alfredo, how can I do that? Do I add in chicken with the other ingredients, sautée the chicken before, or what? Sorry, new IP owner ☺️
Dan Bitner says
No problem, welcome to the world of Instant Pot Cassie. You can add frozen chicken tenderloins. Just add them on top of everything and keep the cook time the same. Good luck, let me know how it goes!
Sarah says
This was, hands down, the best and easiest alfredo I’ve ever made. Added chicken and broccoli. My kids and husband loved it! Next time I’m going to try peas and bacon. I’m so excited to have found this recipe!
Dan Bitner says
Thank you for the comment Sarah! Let me know how the peas and bacon go. I’m so glad the whole family enjoyed it.
Kelly says
OMG…this is a definite make again. Doubled the recipe and sautéed some shrimp with white wine, butter and garlic and then added after mixing in the cheese YUMMY! Wanted to take a photo but family ate it up so fast didn’t have a chance. Thanks for an easy fool proof dinner.
Karli Bitner says
Good job Kelly! I love that you tried to take a photo, but it was gone too quickly. What a great problem to have! Thanks for the comment.
Jeff Gross says
I used half and half because I didn’t have heavy cream and it was still very good.
Karli Bitner says
I’m glad it worked out Jeff. Sometimes the half and half can curdle in the instant pot, its good to hear that it was good! Thanks for the comment.
Yalinda says
Hi , New to instant pot . I wanted to do this with a Parmesan crusted chicken And add tomatoes and spinach.. Should I cook chicken first and set aside or can I cook it and also add it back in when pressure cook the noodles and sauce? When would I add the tomatoes and spinach ? Thanks
Karli Bitner says
Hi Yalinda- I would cook the chicken separate as your Instant Pot is cooking the pasta. The pasta will take about 20 minutes from start to finish. I would add in your tomatoes and spinach at the end with the cheese. I hope you enjoy!!