Pesto pasta is just as versatile as it is flavorful. Make it in your Instant Pot for a quick and filling Vegetarian main course or as a tasty side dish to pair with your favorite protein.
Why This Will Be Your New Go-To Vegetarian Dish
- Fast. A tasty main course that is ready in under 30 minutes.
- Easy. Prep the pesto, toss the noodles and water in your Instant Pot, cook, and mix it all together before serving!
- Vegetarian. A wonderfully flavorful vegetarian dinner or tasty side dish.
Ingredients To Grab
The ingredient list for this recipe is so simple, you likely won’t even have to run to the grocery store to grab anything. Scan over this list to make sure you have everything before getting started:
- Rigatoni - You can switch up the pasta in this dish to utilize the pasta you may already have in your pantry. Just remember that cooking times for pasta vary in the Instant Pot. A good rule of thumb is to take the amount of time it says it takes to cook it on the stovetop, divide that time in half, and add one minute to the Instant Pot cooking time
- Heavy Cream - Adds a velvety texture and helps the pesto coat the outside edges of all of the pasta.
- Olive Oil - This works as the base of the pesto and prevents the noodles from sticking together.
- Parmesan Cheese - Adds saltiness and helps bind the pesto ingredients. Plus, who doesn’t love a little bit of cheese every so often?
- Pesto - Make my delicious Pesto recipe ahead of time to serve with this delicious pasta and keep the leftovers to enjoy with a different meal.
How To Make Pesto Pasta
This Pesto Pasta dish is so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it before! Not only is it a breeze to whip up, but it’s also all made in one pan, so cleanup is done in a flash!
- Add the pasta and water to the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to “sealing”.
- Press the “manual” or “pressure cook” button and set the timer for 4 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release by carefully turning the valve to “venting”.
- Open the lid and drain any excess water from the pasta.
- Add the pesto, grated parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to the Instant Pot with the pasta.
- Stir everything together until the pasta is coated in the pesto and cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
Variations
- Add more veggies. Pesto is delicious on so many things, from pasta to vegetables. To boost the nutrients in this dish, grab your favorite veggies, throw them in a steamer bag, and stir them into the cooked pasta with pesto sauce.
- Pack in some protein. If you’re not living a Vegetarian lifestyle, this dish is a great base recipe to use up any leftover protein you may have. Stir in leftover rotisserie chicken, salmon, or steak.
- Make it creamy. As you’re stirring the pesto into the pasta, add a splash of heavy cream to turn this Pesto Pasta into a creamy version!
What To Serve With Pesto Pasta
The same side dishes you love to serve alongside your other favorite Italian pasta dishes pair exceptionally well with this Pesto Pasta! Here are a few of my favorite pairings for you to try:
- Cauliflower Breadsticks
- Turkey Pesto Sandwich
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
How Long Does It Last?
You have to love a great pasta dish. It is one of the best comfort foods and makes for some of the best leftovers. The longer it sits, the more flavor the pasta absorbs from the pesto.
So, don’t fret if you have quite a bit of this Pesto Pasta leftover. Store any you have in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it within 3-4 days of preparing it.
More Budget Friendly Dishes
- Mushroom Stroganoff
- Spinach Artichoke Pasta
- Manicotti
- Vegetable Lasagna
- Baked Feta Pasta
Pesto Pasta | Vegetarian Instant Pot Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- ▢ 8 ounces rigatoni
- ▢ 1/2 cup pesto
- ▢ 4 cups Water
- ▢ 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- ▢ 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Add the pasta and water to the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to “sealing”.
- Press the “manual” or “pressure cook” button and set the timer for 4 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release by carefully turning the valve to “venting”.
- Open the lid and drain any excess water from the pasta.
- Add the pesto, grated parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to the Instant Pot with the pasta.
- Stir everything together until the pasta is coated in the pesto and cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
Don’t forget to check out my otherBest-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!
Indian Instant Pot , Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy , Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot .
If you already signed up, you should have received an email with a password to give you unlimited access to our FREE Printable Library. The password is case sensitive. Enter it below and get printing!
Password:
Pesto Pasta | Vegetarian Instant Pot Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rigatoni
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 4 cups Water
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Add the pasta and water to the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to “sealing”.
- Press the “manual” or “pressure cook” button and set the timer for 4 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release by carefully turning the valve to “venting”.
- Open the lid and drain any excess water from the pasta.
- Add the pesto, grated parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to the Instant Pot with the pasta.
- Stir everything together until the pasta is coated in the pesto and cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
Pesto Pasta | Vegetarian Instant Pot Pesto Pasta Recipe https://twosleevers.com/pesto-pasta/
Are you a fan of Chicken Fries but want to make them at home with a healthier twist? Look no further than your air fryer! With this simple recipe using ground chicken, you can make delicious and crispy copycat Burger King Chicken Fries without deep frying.
Why You’ll Love Chicken This Way
- Quick. Ready in under 30 minutes (minus chill time) with the help of your air fryer!
- Easy. Mix together the filling, shape, chill, batter, and cook. Only a few easy-to-follow steps for a family-friendly bite.
- Low Carb . Using almond flour makes them a great choice for anyone that lives a gluten-free or low carb lifestyle.
- High Protein . Meet your daily protein goals with ease! These copycat Burger King chicken fries pack an impressive 27 grams of protein per serving!
With this easy and delicious recipe, you can make healthier chicken fries at home using ground chicken and your air fryer. So give it a try and enjoy a crispy and flavorful bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground chicken - Using ground chicken for these air fryer chicken fries provides a similar texture to the chicken fries you’ve had at Burger King or another fast food chain.
- Almond Flour - A breading made out of almond flour makes these both gluten free and low carb.
- Parmesan cheese - Use the cheap powdered kind in the green can for a more authentic texture to the breading.
- Eggs - This helps the flour stick to the ground chicken while cooking in the air fryer.
- Cooking spray - Helps the breading crisp up in the air fryer since you’re not using a ton of oil to deep fry them.
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
How To Make Chicken Fries
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Take a handful of the ground chicken mixture and shape it into a long, thin stick, similar to the shape of a French fry. Place them on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 20 minutes to help them firm up.
- Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl. Dip the chilled chicken fry into the beaten eggs, making sure to coat it well.
- Roll the chicken fry in the flour mixture, pressing it onto the chicken to ensure they stick.
- Place the chicken fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
- Lightly spray the chicken fries with cooking spray.
- Cook the chicken fries in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through, flipping them over halfway through cooking and spraying with additional cooking spray.
Variations
- Make them spicy. Like your meals spicy? You can either add some cayenne pepper to the almond flour mixture or add some hot sauce to the eggs before you batter your chicken.
- Double it up. If you and your family love this chicken, double the recipe so you have extras to reheat in a pinch!
- Make them extra crispy. If you want extra breading on your chicken, you can air fry the tenders for half of their cooking cycle, and then bread the undercooked chicken with another layer of egg and flour batter. Then return the chicken to the air fryer basket and cook for the remainder of the time.
What To Serve With Them
Chicken fries are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetizer, or main course. They’re easily one of our best air fryer chicken recipes .
When planning a meal around them, there are many side dishes that pair well with this crispy and flavorful dish. Here are a few things I love to serve with them:
- Potato Wedges - Chicken fries are essentially chicken-shaped French fries, so it’s only natural to pair them with actual fries! Make a big batch of crispy French fries in your air fryer to complement the chicken fries.
- Salad - A light and fresh salad can be a great counterpoint to their rich and savory flavors. Try a Caesar salad, garden salad, or spinach salad with a simple vinaigrette dressing.
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese - For a more indulgent side dish, serve chicken fries with creamy and cheesy mac and cheese. The combination of crispy chicken fries and gooey mac and cheese is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Roasted Vegetables - Roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and Brussels sprouts are a healthy and delicious side dish that complements crispy chicken fries. Simply toss the veggies with some olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast them in the oven until tender and golden brown.
- Dipping Sauces - Of course, you can’t forget about the dipping sauces! Serve chicken fries with your favorite dipping sauces like Big Mac Sauce , Baja Sauce , BBQ Sauce, Spicy Mayo , or keep it simple with some Ketchup.
Whether you’re serving chicken fries as an appetizer or a main course, these side dishes and dipping sauces will help round out the meal and make it a memorable and delicious experience.
How Long Do They Last?
Homemade chicken fries can last for up to 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.
To ensure their freshness and safety, store them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag in the fridge.
Can You Freeze Them
If you have leftovers that you won’t be able to eat within 3-4 days, you can freeze them for later. To freeze chicken fries, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for 1-2 hours until they are firm. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat them, simply cook them in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are hot and crispy.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Tandoori Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Thai Peanut Chicken
Chicken Fries | Copycat Burger King Chicken Fries
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 pound ground chicken
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ▢ 2/3 cup Superfine Almond Flour
- ▢ 1/4 cup powdered Parmesan cheese
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Paprika
- ▢ 1 Eggs
- ▢ Cooking Spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Take a handful of the ground chicken mixture and shape it into a long, thin stick, similar to the shape of a French fry. Place them on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 20 minutes to help them firm up.
- Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl. Dip the chilled chicken fry into the beaten eggs, making sure to coat it well.
- Roll the chicken fry in the flour mixture, pressing it onto the chicken to ensure they stick.
- Place the chicken fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
- Lightly spray the chicken fries with cooking spray.
- Cook the chicken fries in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through, flipping them over halfway through cooking and spraying with additional cooking spray.
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
And don’t forget to check out my air fryer cookbooks! Every day easy air fryer , and Air Fryer Revolution .
