61 Best Instant Pot Recipes to Try Now

Essential Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners

Instant pot spaghetti dinner recipe

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

The Instant Pot is the new must-have kitchen appliance that can make your life a whole lot easier in the kitchen, especially as a time-saving device on busy days. An Instant Pot is an intelligent multi-cooker, that's essentially an electric pressure cooker. When you don't have time for traditional or slow cooking, the Instant Pot is a fantastic solution. Meals will be cooked a lot faster, using less energy.

Want to get started with the Instant Pot, or add to your growing repertoire of Instant Pot recipes (and cookbooks)? We've collected our favorite Instant Pot recipes here (from both our site and beyond) for appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and even beverages, to inspire you in the kitchen. From chicken noodle soup and chicken pot pie to macaroni and cheese, pork tacos, scalloped potatoes, and cheesecakes, you'll want to make this your go-to guide for inspiring Instant Pot recipe ideas.

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    Instant Pot Chili

    instant pot chili with chips on the side
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Here's an awesome, hearty, Instant Pot chili recipe that's ready to eat in under an hour from start to finish, but tastes like it simmered on the stovetop for hours. Delicious, belly-warming, ground beef chili is packed with nutritious and colorful vegetables.

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    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

    Instant pot mashed potatoes recipe

    The Spruce / Emily Baker

    Creamy, perfect mashed potatoes are quick and easy to make, with this excellent Instant Pot mashed potato recipe. Using an Instant Pot cuts the time in half, so you can get this yummy side dish onto the table quicker.

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    Instant Pot Refried Beans

    Instant Pot Refried Beans

    The Spruce

    Want a great recipe that you can use in burritos, enchiladas, or as a side dish to Mexican meals? These tasty Instant Pot refried beans are a snap to prepare and are ready in just over an hour. That's a fraction of the time they would take on the stovetop.

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    Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes

    Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Scalloped potatoes always look beautiful on a buffet or dinner table, and the Instant Pot makes it so easy and quick to make this popular, cheesy, and indulgent potato side dish, in just over half an hour.

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    Instant Pot Coq au Vin

    Instant Pot coq au vin in a bowl with thyme sprigs.

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Just a fancy French name for chicken stew with wine, Instant Pot coq au vin delivers the same delicious taste in about 55 minutes as the version that's cooked for hours. Originally made with an old rooster, modern versions use chicken, in this case, bone-in thighs and legs along with carrots, mushrooms, pearl onions if desired, and fresh herbs.

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    Instant Pot Butter Chicken

    Instant Pot Butter Chicken

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    This Instant Pot butter chicken recipe takes a lot less time than the traditional way of making this popular Indian dish. Marinating the chicken isn't necessary because the pressure cooking will render the chicken moist and delicious. It has the same creamy, buttery sauce scented with tomatoes, cumin, garlic, ginger, garam masala, and coriander as the original. Serve it with rice, naan bread, and yogurt.

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    Instant Pot Pho Soup

    Bowl of Instant Pot beef pho with garnishes.

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This recipe for Instant Pot pho soup is a speedy version of a traditional Vietnamese beef broth and noodle soup. It is subtly spiced, fragrant and a meal that will warm body and soul.

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    Instant Pot Lasagna

    Portion of instant pot lasagna on a serving plate

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Enjoy this Instant Pot lasagna in a fraction of the time it takes to make conventional lasagna. Best of all, it can be prepared year-round because it doesn't turn a summer kitchen into a blazing inferno with the oven heat. It's a traditional recipe with traditional ingredients, just cooked in a different way.

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    Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner

    Instant pot spaghetti dinner recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This easy, complete homemade spaghetti dinner recipe is nothing short of amazing. Ready to serve in less than 30 minutes, this is a great family dinner idea for busy weeknights, when you're rushing to get a satisfying meal on the table.

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    Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

    Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Spaghetti squash is super easy and quick to cook in the Instant Pot. You can cook the squash in about 10 minutes, then separate it into spaghetti-like strands, for topping with spaghetti sauce or tossing with butter and seasonings. This recipe includes more tips for serving ideas.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

    Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

    The Spruce / Laurel Randolph 

    Rich and flavorful chicken noodle soup from scratch in about an hour seems undoable, but it has actually never been so easy. This Instant Pot recipe creates an incredibly delicious broth filled with vegetables, shredded chicken, and tender cooked noodles, tasting like it cooked all day on the stovetop.

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    Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup

    Bowls of matzo ball chicken soup made in an Instant Pot

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Thanks to the instant pot, this matzo ball soup tastes like the broth simmered all day when it only takes 35 minutes. This version uses chicken thighs, but a cut-up three-pound chicken is an excellent alternative. Just make sure to use bone-in chicken for the very best flavor.

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    Instant Pot Potato Soup

    Instant Pot Potato Soup

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    You won’t believe how quickly you can make this favorite comfort food recipe using the Instant Pot. This recipe makes an easy lunchtime soup or light dinner that the whole family will love.

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    Instant Pot Minestrone

    instant-pot-minestrone-4777798-07

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Traditional minestrone combines carrots, celery, beans, spinach, and pasta in a tomato broth. You can stick with a vegetarian version or brown some Italian sausage or ground beef to add a meaty flavor. This hearty soup comes together with ease when you make it in an Instant Pot.

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    Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

    Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

    The Spruce / Rachel Riesgraf

    A true one-pot dinner, beef stroganoff with a creamy sauce and tender mushrooms is easy to throw together on a weeknight. There's very little clean-up and the filling pasta dish will please the whole family.

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    Instant Pot Brown Rice

    Instant Pot brown rice

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    Brown rice is more nutritious than white rice and has a beautiful nutty flavor. The only downside is that it takes so much longer to cook than white rice. Fortunately, the Instant Pot is here to save the day (or, at least your dinner)! Set it and forget it with this easy recipe that will become a staple side dish for everything from roast chicken to tofu.

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    Instant Pot Parmesan Garlic Chicken Wings

    Parmesan garlic chicken wings with dip.

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    For a twist on the average wing recipe, try these Parmesan garlic chicken wings. The unflavored wings are first cooked in the Instant Pot. They're then tossed with garlic butter and finished in the broiler. Toss them with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, and you have an appetizer everyone will enjoy.

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    Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

    instant pot pork shoulder shredded
    Diana Rattray

    Tender, succulent shredded pork shoulder is quicker and easier in the Instant Pot. Cooking under pressure keeps the meat moist and renders it perfectly tender. It's delicious on its own or in a bun as a sandwich.

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    Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

    instant pot pork tenderloin on a plate with potatoes and kale
    Diana Rattray

    Instant Pot pork tenderloin takes just minutes to cook to the perfect temperature and the recipe is easy to customize with alternative herbs and spices. This recipe relies on the pressure build and natural release to cook the pork, with no actual high-pressure cooking time. All you have to do is brown the pork, set the timer to 0 (yes, zero!), and let the pressure come down naturally for 15 minutes.

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    Instant Pot Ribs

    Instant Pot pork ribs.
    Diana Rattray

    Pork ribs are perfectly tender and juicy when cooked in the Instant Pot. After being rubbed with spices, the ribs are pressure cooked before being slathered with barbecue sauce and broiled until sticky and delicious.

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    Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

    Instant Pot barbecue chicken with rice and peas and barbecue sauce.
    Diana Rattray

    An ideal recipe for a busy weeknight, this Instant Pot bbq chicken is quick to prepare and will please the whole family. It begins with a flavorful rub including smoked paprika, chili powder, and brown sugar; store-bought barbecue sauce is then brushed on before pressure cooking. The chicken is placed under the broiler to achieve nice crispy skin.

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    Instant Pot Korean Beef

    Instant Pot Korean Beef

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    When in the mood for spicy food, this is the recipe to choose. Gochujang chili paste gives the dish an authentic Korean taste, along with soy sauce, ginger, rice wine vinegar, and garlic. Simply place all of the ingredients in the Instant Pot, set to pressure cook for 25 minutes, thicken with a cornstarch slurry, and enjoy with rice.

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    Instant Pot French Onion Soup

    Instant Pot French Onion Soup
    Diana Rattray

    French onion soup usually takes ages to cook, but this Instant Pot version is quicker and easier. With naturally sweet onions and rich beef broth topped with crusty bread and melted cheese, it is a cold-weather treat.

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    Instant Pot Yogurt

    Instant Pot yogurt with berries and granola.
    Diana Rattray

    Homemade yogurt may sound complicated, but it's made easy in the Instant Pot. After a quick boil, a couple of spoonfuls of plain, active yogurt or yogurt starter are added and the multi-cooker does the rest.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Stock

    Instant Pot Chicken Stock

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    The Instant Pot makes a homemade chicken stock a breeze. Vegetables and herbs flavor the broth and you can use chicken wings, other parts, or even a carcass. It's a great base for a variety of recipes, including soups, and freezes wonderfully.

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    Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon

    instant pot beef bourguignon in a serving dish with french bread
    Diana Rattray

    One of France's most famous dishes, beef bourguignon becomes simple and quick when made in the Instant Pot. Bacon, onion, and beef are browned on the saute setting, and then the rest of the ingredients are added and pressure cooked until thick. Red wine, beef stock, and fresh herbs create a rich sauce, wonderful served over noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Breast

    instant pot chicken breasts with rice and pea pods
    Diana Rattray

    The Instant Pot produces tender, juicy chicken breasts every time, easily answering the age-old question, "What's for dinner?" Chicken breasts can be shredded for pulled chicken sandwiches and tacos; diced for soups, salads, and casseroles; or sliced and served as an entrée along with side dishes.

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    Instant Pot Orange Chicken

    Instant Pot orange chicken with sesame seeds.
    Diana Rattray

    Chinese orange chicken is a popular take-out menu item, but it is also easy to make at home—especially with the Instant Pot. Orange juice and zest, garlic, soy sauce, sugars, ginger, and chili paste make for a sweet and tangy glaze with a hint of spice. This dish is not only delicious but also a bit healthier than take-out since the chicken isn't deep-fried.

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    Instant Pot Pizza

    instant pot pizza sliced
    Diana Rattray

    Perfect as an appetizer or after-school snack, these individual-sized pizzas are simple to make and easily customizable. Store-bought pizza dough is cut to the size of a cake pan, layered with toppings, and cooked for 15 minutes. Stack two pans and cook a few at a time.

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    Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

    Instant pot chicken and rice with serving spoon
    Diana Rattray

    This comforting and adaptable dish makes the whole family happy. Perfect for Little League nights when you need to get dinner on the table quickly or a curl-up-by-the-fire fall Sunday, Instant Pot chicken and rice can be your go-to all-in-one meal.

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    Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

    Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    A favorite family meal and potluck dish, your Instant Pot makes sloppy joes easier than they've ever been. All you have to do is brown the beef, then toss the ingredients in the pot. In about 45 minutes, it's ready for sandwiches.

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    Instant Pot Buffalo Wings

    instant pot buffalo wings
    Diana Rattray

    Chicken wings are a crowd favorite, but they can be a hassle to make. This Instant Pot recipe simplifies the method while still creating that familiar spicy bar snack food. The wings are pressure cooked, tossed with some of the homemade sauce, and then broiled to create that signature crispy coating. A final drizzle of hot sauce finishes them off.

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    Instant Pot Butternut Squash

    instant pot butternut squash in a serving bowl
    Diana Rattray

    Whether you plan to serve the butternut squash simply with a garnish of almonds, sugar, and cinnamon or need cooked squash for a soup, risotto, or casserole, this Instant Pot recipe makes it simple and quick, cooking the butternut squash in just three minutes.

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    Instant Pot Taco Soup

    taco soup in a bowl with tortilla strips
    Diana Rattray

    Change up your Taco Tuesday with this hearty soup. Ground beef, beans, and taco seasonings combine with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and green chilis and are cooked for 20 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls and add tortilla chips and your favorite taco toppings.

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    Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos

    Instant Pot Carne Asada

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Of all the things to cook in an Instant Pot, beef is one of the best—tougher cuts of meat do well with searing and pressure cooking, which renders them flavorful and tender. Although carne asada is traditionally grilled (the term translates to "grilled meat"), you can achieve a satisfying smoky flavor with the use of smoky and woody spices like cumin and oregano, which are included in this recipe. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, which is perfect for Tuesday night dinner. Feel free to go wild with toppings. Pico de gallo, shredded cheese, sliced radishes, pickled onions, and fresh or store-bought salsa are all great. Or, if you're running low on ingredients, a simple dash of hot sauce still makes for an amazing bite.

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    Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers

    Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Cooking these ground beef and rice stuffed peppers in the Instant Pot means you'll have dinner on the table in just a matter of minutes instead of over an hour. Bell peppers are filled with a mixture of tomatoes, cheese, herbs, and seasonings, put in the pressure cooker, then topped with cheese and finished off in the Instant Pot until nice and melted.

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    Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

    Instant Pot chicken and dumplings with parsley garnish.
    Diana Rattray

    Who would think chicken and dumplings could be a quick and easy weeknight dinner? This classic Southern dish is simple to prepare when using the Instant Pot. Onion and garlic are cooked on the saute setting and then chicken stock, seasonings, vegetables, and cubed chicken are added. The homemade dumpling dough is dropped by spoonfuls on top and the stew is pressure cooked for just a few minutes. Once the pressure is released, peas, parsley, and cream are added and heated through.

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    Instant Pot Kugel

    noodle kugel slice on a plate
    Diana Rattray

    Noodle kugel may be a typical Jewish holiday side dish but it is a delicious, sweet casserole that can be enjoyed at any time. Boiled egg noodles are combined with ingredients such as cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon and pressure cooked until set. This recipe calls for adding a crunchy cornflake topping before placing under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up.

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    Instant Pot Pork Chops

    Instant Pot pork chops on a mound of mashed potatoes.
    Diana Rattray

    The Instant Pot makes preparing these pork chops with cream sauce a cinch. The chops along with onions and mushrooms are browned on the saute setting; stock and herbs are added and once the dish is pressure-cooked, a flavorful simmered cream sauce is spooned over the pork and vegetables.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce

    Pappardelle with Bolognese sauce.
    Diana Rattray

    Bolognese is a meaty red sauce that typically cooks slowly for hours on the stove. Using a pressure cooker makes it hands-off and shrinks down the cook time. Use it to top pasta or fill lasagna.

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    Instant Pot Pulled Pork

    Instant Pot pulled pork on buns with all the "fixins."
    Diana Rattray

    Pulled pork is easy and tender when pressure cooked in an Instant Pot. It takes a fraction of the time to cook and tastes great in a sandwich bun, as sliders, on nachos, or simply served as a main dish.

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    Instant Pot Jambalaya

    instant pot jambalaya in a serving dish
    Diana Rattray

    The addition of tomatoes makes this Creole jambalaya. Chock-full of andouille sausage, chicken, and shrimp, this Louisiana stew is filling and delicious. The meat and vegetables are sautéed, and then the seasonings, stock, canned tomatoes, and rice are added and pressure cooked. The dish is finished off with the shrimp and some green onions.

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    Instant Pot Grits

    Grits in a bowl with butter and biscuits.
    Diana Rattray

    Grits can be a pain to make on the stove, requiring close attention and stirring. Cooking them in the pressure cooker makes the whole process pain-free, and frees you up to prep other dishes. Serve Instant Pot grits for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

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    Instant Pot Bone Broth

    bowl of bone broth

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Shrink a couple of days of cook time down to a few hours in the Instant Pot. Bone broth can be enjoyed as is or used for simple soups and is rich in nutrients. It's a delicious sip during cold weather.

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    Instant Pot Cornbread

    instant pot cornbread with slices on parchment paper
    Diana Rattray

    Whether for the holiday bread basket or as a side at the summer barbecue, cornbread in the Instant Pot is ideal when you can't or don't want to use the oven. This recipe is made with very little sugar, making it a typical Southern-style cornbread. Feel free to add green onion, cheddar cheese, and/or corn kernels for extra flavor, color, and texture.

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    Instant Pot Barbacoa

    Barbacoa tacos with fixings.
    Diana Rattray

    Tender beef barbacoa is ready in less than half the time of a traditional recipe in the Instant Pot. It's a flavorful filling for tacos or a fun topping for nachos and feeds a small crowd.

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    Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole

    slice of instant pot breakfast casserole
    Diana Rattray

    All of the favorite savory breakfast foods are cooked together in this Instant Pot casserole. Bacon, hashbrowns, cheese, eggs, and vegetables are layered in a springform pan and cooked in the Instant Pot until set. The breakfast casserole is finished off with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar and fresh parsley.

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    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Macaroni and cheese is an American comfort food classic that is a family favorite for dinner. When made in the Instant Pot, this mac and cheese recipe creates an unbelievably creamy, cheesy sauce that is out of this world.

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    Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes

    Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes

    Diana Rattray

    So creamy and infused with garlic, these Instant Pot scalloped potatoes make an irresistible side dish for your holiday dinner, or weeknight dinner any day of the week.

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    Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

    Instant Pot carnitas in flour tortillas.
    Diana Rattray

    Here's a winning Instant Pot recipe for pork carnitas that is just perfect for making authentic Central Mexican pork tacos from scratch. Pork shoulder is browned and then cooked along with seasonings, onion, jalapeno, orange and lime juice, and chicken stock. The meat is shredded and broiled and then arranged in soft tacos along with homemade pickled onion and various toppings.

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    Instant Pot Whole Chicken

    Instant Pot Whole Chicken

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray 

    All you need are a few easy ingredients, an Instant Pot, and about 30 minutes to have this amazing, perfectly tender, and juicy Instant Pot whole chicken. Your family will love it, and it makes a fabulous dinner party entree, too.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore on pasta.
    Diana Rattray

    Chicken cacciatore, a classic Italian dish, comes together quickly and easily with the Instant Pot. Chicken thighs cook until tender and juicy in a rich tomato sauce and taste great over pasta or served with crusty bread.

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    Instant Pot Meatloaf

    Instant Pot meatloaf in serving dish sliced.
    Diana Rattray

    This Instant Pot meatloaf is full of flavor and will be ready in less time than the traditional baked version. Ground beef is mixed along with onion, celery, and carrot, and seasoned with ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. A rich glaze including Dijon mustard and brown sugar is spooned over top before serving.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

    Instant Pot tikka masala and extra long-grain basmati rice.
    Diana Rattray

    A classic Indian main dish of meat bathed in a spiced tomato, yogurt, and cream sauce, chicken tikka masala is quick and easy in the Instant Pot. The cream is added after pressure cooking to avoid scorching and make a creamy sauce.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup

    Instant Pot chicken enchilada soup in a bowl with homemade tortilla strips.
    Diana Rattray

    All of the flavors of a filling chicken enchilada are cooked together in this Instant Pot soup. Boneless chicken, enchilada sauce, beans, corn, and seasonings are pressure cooked along with soup ingredients and topped with homemade fried tortilla strips and your favorite toppings.

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    Instant Pot Rice Pudding

    Instant Pot rice pudding desserts.
    Diana Rattray

    Rice pudding is quick and easy in the Instant Pot, and this classic recipe won't disappoint. Flavored with cinnamon and raisins, it's delicious served warm or chilled.

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    Instant Pot Cheesecake

    Instant Pot Cheesecake With Pecan Pie Topping

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Learn how to make cheesecake in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe. It's so much simpler than the traditional method for cheesecake and delivers a velvety-smooth cream cheesecake that you will be proud to serve. This recipe is great for holiday dessert tables.

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    Instant Pot Flan

    Instant Pot flan, or creme caramel, in a dessert dish.
    Diana Rattray

    This Instant Pot version of the classic Spanish dessert flan cooks in less than 10 minutes, though you do need to plan ahead as it must chill in the refrigerator for four hours before you serve it. The light caramel custard makes a sweet finish to any meal.

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    Instant Pot Banana Bread

    Instant Pot Banana Bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Banana bread is a comforting snack food that makes a great after-school treat. Or top warm slices with vanilla icing to make it into dessert. This Instant Pot banana bread recipe makes a moist, dense bread you will love.

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    Instant Pot Brownies

    Instant Pot brownies sliced on a plate.
    Diana Rattray

    Brownies are always a crowd-pleaser, no matter what the occasion. Making these rich, gooey, nut-studded brownies in the Instant Pot frees up the oven for other dishes or means you don't have to turn the oven on at all—perfect in the summertime. The brownies are finished off with a shiny ganache and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.

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    Instant Pot Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce

    Instant Pot bread pudding with sauce.
    Diana Rattray

    Using the pot-in-pot method, this bread pudding cooks up perfectly moist and delicious. Studded with raisins and flavored with warming spices, it's topped with a decadent bourbon cream sauce.