10 Easiest Instant Pot Recipes Everyone Can Make!

Check out these 10 Easiest Instant Pot recipes, which is the ultimate list of simple weeknight meals you can make in your Instant Pot. Get easy instant pot recipes for chicken, boiled eggs, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, and more!

Finally, get that Instant Pot you’ve heard everyone raving about. Or want to get one but are afraid you’ll never use it?

Here are some of our favorite simple recipes that will help make cooking the easiest thing you’ve ever done!  (Seriously – 6 minute spaghetti?!)

Hey y’all, Tiffany here.

We got our Instant Pot several months ago when it went on sale (we hate paying full price – it keeps us from living frugally), and it was one of the best decisions that we’ve ever made!

I hate cooking, so anything that decreases the amount of work is a necessary addition to our kitchen! It took us a little while to get used to it, but we’ve finally got it down!

Here are some of our favorite ways to use our Instant Pot. (And if the Instant Pot feels a bit overwhelming, give these easy Air Fryer recipes for beginners a try!)

Chicken

Now, this has probably never happened in your house, but one of the most difficult things about having a monthly meal plan is remembering to take the chicken out of the freezer to defrost.

Luckily, the Instant Pot is awesome at this! No matter what recipe or dish you are making, if it calls for chicken (whole breast, shredded, etc.) then the Instant Pot is your best friend!

Creating perfectly cooked tender chicken in your Instant Pot is as easy as adding a cup of water and tossing in a few frozen chicken breasts. Set the Instant Pot to the “Manual” mode for a quick 10-minute session, and voila! You’ll have a batch of tender, succulent chicken ready to serve.

Whether you prefer using it as a whole chicken breast or shredded for tacos and casseroles, this hassle-free method ensures a quick and delicious outcome, making your Instant Pot a go-to appliance for effortless and versatile meal preparation. Say goodbye to culinary stress and hello to Instant Pot chicken meal convenience!

• Add one cup of water
• Put in frozen chicken breasts
• “Manual” for 10 minutes

Need ideas for what to use the chicken for? Check out these cookbooks for chicken recipes:

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Spaghetti

A beloved staple in our household is spaghetti and meatballs, a timeless classic. However, one aspect of pasta dishes that I find irksome is the time-consuming process of cooking the pasta, involving constant stirring over a hot stove. The perpetual fear of the pot boiling over only adds to the frustration. Streamlining this process has become a culinary mission, as the desire for a more efficient and enjoyable cooking experience prevails.

Simplifying the preparation of such cherished meals not only enhances the joy and taste of cooking but also minimizes the aftermath of cleanup, making for a more delightful dining experience for everyone at the table. And spaghetti in an Instant Pot is simple!

Get the pasta recipe on our 6-Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti post.

Spaghetti is one of our favorite meals when we’re trying to live on a $42 weekly grocery budget.

Want to jazz up your spaghetti with fun sauces and other additions? Here are some great recipes:

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Hard-Boiled Eggs

Cooking the perfect hard-boiled eggs, including deviled eggs, can be a daunting task – the risk of cracking as they roll in boiling water adds an element of messiness to the process. Achieving the precise level of doneness poses another challenge. The stovetop method often leads to unpredictability in cooking times.

Minimizing the risk of cracked eggs and ensuring a consistent level of doneness not only simplifies the cooking process but also transforms this once-daunting task into a straightforward and enjoyable kitchen activity, making hard-boiled eggs a stress-free delight and the best instant pot recipes.

There was that one extremely embarrassing time when I put them on the stove and forgot about them. The water boiled away, and they ended up exploding all over the kitchen! (True story.)

But an Instant Pot makes things so much easier! Simply add a cup of water to the bottom, place the eggs on the steamer rack, and set the Instant Pot to “Manual” for a mere 5 minutes.

After a quick release, transfer the eggs into cold water. The result is perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs with minimal fuss. The Instant Pot’s efficiency not only saves time but also eliminates all the hard work and hassle of cracking and rolling eggs in boiling water, making it a kitchen essential for achieving consistently excellent hard-boiled eggs.

• 1 cup water
• Eggs on a steamer rack
• “Manual” 5 minutes

Need some other ways to do hard-boiled eggs? Here are some ideas:

Mashed Potatoes easiest instant pot recipe

For a hassle-free and creamy mashed potato experience, start by washing, peeling, and quartering 2.5 lbs of potatoes. Utilize the Instant Pot efficiency by adding 1 cup of water and placing the potatoes on the steamer rack.

A quick 8-minute stint on “Manual” followed by a speedy release sets the stage for perfection. Transfer the cooked potatoes to a bowl, where the magic continues with the addition of 1/2 cup warm milk and 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

A few mashes with a potato masher, and voila! You’ve got velvety mashed sweet potatoes, creating a healthy side dish that’s both convenient and of course indulgently delicious. I could say this is one of the best instant pot recipes.

• 1 cup water
• 2.5 lbs of peeled/quartered potatoes on a steamer rack
• “Manual” 8 minutes
• Put potatoes in a separate bowl and add 1/2 cup warm milk with 2 Tbsp melted butter
• Mash

Require some frugal ways to cook with mashed potatoes? Here are some ideas:

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Baked Potatoes

To prepare a delightful batch of baked potatoes, begin by cleaning and pricking 2.5 lbs of potatoes. Put 1 cup of water in the Instant Pot, and 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot, placing the potatoes on the steamer rack. Good results are achieved with a “Manual” setting, cooking for 10-12 minutes—adjusting for potato size—and allowing a slow release to retain tenderness.

For those craving crispier skin, a simple brush with oil and salt before a quick 10-minute oven stint at 350°F works wonders. The Instant Pot’s versatility simplifies the baked potato process, ensuring a perfect balance of fluffy interiors and delectably crispy skins, ready to be customized with your favorite toppings.

• 2.5 lbs cleaned/pricked potatoes on a steamer rack
• “Manual” 10–12 minutes

Are you a potato lover? Here you go:

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Macaroni & Cheese easiest instant pot recipe

We love homemade macaroni and cheese at our house, but making the sauce always was a bit of a pain.  Not anymore!

You can get the recipe for this on our post for super easy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.

This fuss-free method eliminates the hassles, offering a deliciously creamy sauce that complements the taste of the pasta perfectly. Enjoy your macaroni experience by making variations like the Silly Chili Macaroni, a recipe where a few ingredient swaps introduce exciting flavors. With the Instant Pot’s efficiency, making mouthwatering macaroni dishes becomes a breeze, making it a go-to for quick and delightful comfort food in your culinary repertoire.

Pot Roast

• 1 bag baby carrots (rinsed)
• 4-5 medium red potatoes (rinsed, halved)
• 4 medium yellow onions (peeled, halved)
• 1-2 lb roast
• 2-3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 packet pot roast seasoning

For a hassle-free and savory roast dinner, streamline your cooking process by placing all the listed veggies into the Instant Pot. Arrange the instant pot pork tenderloin roast on top of the vegetables, ensuring a delightful mingling of flavors.

Enhance the richness by adding vegetable broth and sprinkling the recommended seasoning over the top. Seal the Instant Pot and effortlessly set it to “Meat/Stew” mode for a mere 30 minutes.

The result is a tender, flavorful roast surrounded by perfectly cooked vegetables, all achieved with minimal effort. This Instant Pot method offers a convenient and efficient approach to crafting a mouthwatering, hearty meal for any occasion.

Chicken Fajitas easiest instant pot recipe

• 3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (defrosted)
• 2 yellow onions (slivered)
• 2 green peppers (slivered)
• 2cups chicken broth
• 1 packet taco seasoning

Add chicken broth to Instant Pot. Place a metal grill piece (which came with an Instant Pot) on the bottom of your pot and place the chicken on the grill in a single layer. Empty half of the seasoning packet onto the chicken. Use the “poultry” setting for 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and shred it.  Then add the onions and peppers to the broth still in the Instant Pot. Stir in the shredded chicken, along with the remaining taco seasoning. Set the slow cooker setting for about 4 hours, then drain. Serve with soft tortilla shells.

Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti

• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 8 oz spaghetti noodles cut in half
• 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1 tsp garlic purée
• 4 tbps butter cut into small cubes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

To effortlessly whip up a delightful dish of Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti, start by pouring the stock into the crockpot. Follow this with the addition of all the remaining ingredients, creating a flavorful blend. Optimize the efficiency of your cooking process by setting the crockpot to “manual” mode, allowing for a seamless 6-minute cook time.

Once done, let the dish bask in 6 minutes of natural pressure release before swiftly switching to the quick-release option. This fuss-free approach ensures a perfectly cooked, cheesy, and garlic-infused bowl of spaghetti, making it an ideal choice for a quick and delicious meal.

Pulled Pork easiest instant pot recipe

• 2 cups Dr. Pepper
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 4 Pounds of Pork Roast
• 1 onion
• 1Tbsp onion powder
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp salt

For a mouthwatering pulled pork experience, begin by cutting the pork roast into sizable chunks and generously coat them with salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. In your cooking pot, add chopped onions, followed by placing the pork chunks.

Season the flavors with a mix of Dr. Pepper soda, spices, and BBQ sauce. Optimize your own Instant Pot pressure cooker by setting it to “manual high” for a convenient one-hour and 50-minute cooking time. After completion, grant the dish a natural 10-minute pressure release before removing the pork, draining excess juices, and effortlessly shredding with a fork. By adding more BBQ sauce to create a delectable pulled pork masterpiece.

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