Did you know you can cook tortellini in the Instant Pot? Find out just how easy it is with these simple tips and tricks!
Instant Pot tortellini is a quick and easy way to turn frozen pasta into a tasty meal–with minimal effort!
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Frozen tortellini is one of those saviors of the dinner time hour that allows you to get a meal on the table super fast with just a few ingredients.
It’s a food that I keep stocked in my freezer at almost all times, because I know I can make dinner with it really easily. Whether it’s adding a jar of marinara sauce, a spoonful of pesto, some sauteed vegetables, or homemade alfredo sauce, it’s a super simple way to create a meal.
You can also use frozen tortellini to create a hearty main dish, like this Instant Pot creamy tortellini with sausage and Instant Pot pepperoni pizza tortellini. We also love this Instant Pot enchilada tortellini casserole!
Or you can use it in a tasty Instant Pot tortellini and sausage soup or tortellini chicken soup.
Best of all, because you can cook pasta in the Instant Pot, you can cook plain tortellini in the Instant Pot!
What Kind of Tortellini Can You Cook in the Instant Pot?
There are different types of tortellini available in the grocery store, so let’s talk about which types work best here.
Most people will be thrilled to know that you can cook frozen cheese tortellini in the Instant Pot! Because it’s frozen, you don’t have to worry as much about it sticking together during cooking, like you do with some pastas.
The same goes for frozen tortellini with spinach or meat inside it.
You can also use dry, shelf-stable tortellini in the Instant Pot.
Fresh, refrigerated tortellini would not be my first choice to cook in the pressure cooker, because it is more delicate and would be more likely overcook and fall apart. If that’s what you have on hand, you could try a 0 minute cook time, followed by a quick release, to hopefully keep it from getting too soft!
Also check out my instructions for how to cook frozen ravioli in the Instant Pot and how to cook orzo in the Instant Pot!
How Long to Cook Tortellini in the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot tortellini cook time is actually pretty short, because tortellini is a quick-cooking pasta. The amount of cook time you use is somewhat dictated by your personal preference for pasta firmness.
Since frozen tortellini isn’t dried, like boxed pastas are, a 1 minute cook time will yield a cooked pasta that is still slightly firm. If you prefer the pasta to be a little bit softer, a 2 minute cook time is ideal. I usually use the 2 minute cook time.
How to Cook Frozen Tortellini in the Instant Pot
To simply cook plain tortellini by itself, add the frozen tortellini to the insert pot of the Instant Pot.
You’ll want to add at least 1 cup of water in order for the pot to achieve pressure. I’ve cooked as much as a 19-oz bag with just 1 cup of liquid.
You can also cook a smaller amount of tortellini, but you’ll still need at least 1 cup of liquid.
Unlike when cooking dry pasta in the Instant Pot, you don’t have to fully submerge the frozen tortellini in liquid.
Select a high pressure cook time of 1-2 minutes, depending on your preference of how firm the pasta is after cooking. I generally use a 2 minute cook time.
After the cook time is complete, perform a quick release of pressure and drain off any remaining liquid.
If you notice starchy water spewing from the vent (which could potentially happen if you are cooking a large amount of frozen tortellini), simply perform an intermittent release of pressure by alternating between opening and closing the vent in short intervals, allowing about 30 seconds to pass between each opening of the vent.
Once the pasta is drained, you can add your favorite sauce–marinara sauce, roasted pepper and tomato sauce, alfredo sauce, or bolognese sauce are all great options!
How to Cook Dried Tortellini in the Instant Pot
If you are cooking shelf-stable, dried tortellini in the Instant Pot, I recommend taking the cook time listed on the package and dividing it by two, then subtracting 1. The resulting number is the cook time at high pressure.
With dried tortellini, you will need more liquid. You’ll want to ensure the pasta is completely covered with water (and that there is at least 1 cup of water).
Enjoy! 🙂
How to Cook Plain Tortellini in the Instant Pot
It's so easy to cook frozen tortellini in the Instant Pot! Add your favorite sauce and add-ins and you've got a hearty meal in minutes!
Ingredients
- 19-oz frozen cheese tortellini (can make less if desired)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In the insert pot of the Instant Pot, combine water and tortellini.
- Close the lid and set the vent to the sealed position. Using the Manual/Pressure Cook button, select a 2 minute cook time at high pressure.
- After the cook time is complete, perform a quick release of pressure. Once the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, carefully remove the lid and drain the pasta.
- Add your favorite sauce and serve.
Notes
- If you prefer firmer pasta, you may prefer a 1 minute cook time. The 2 minute cook time produces pasta that is slightly softer, but not mushy. I usually use a 2 minute cook time.
- If you are using dried, shelf-stable tortellini, you will need to increase the water to cover the pasta completely. Then take the cook time recommended on the package, divide it by 2, subtract 1, and that is the Instant Pot cook time you should use.
- If you notice starchy water spewing from the valve during your pressure release, use an intermittent pressure release.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 413Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 549mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 18g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.
Miranda says
Wow, just tried this with dried ravioli snd it turned out great! I did it half the time on the package minus one, covered barely in water and now i can finish everything in my pot, love it
Chrysti Benner says
Wonderful, Miranda, thank you for letting me know that it worked well for you! 🙂
Alicia says
If you are doubling this recipe, do you also double the liquid and time?
Chrysti Benner says
Hi Alicia! No, you don’t need to double the liquid or time. Enjoy! 🙂
Gary Stewart says
I’ve tried everywhere from 1-5 minutes plus a natural release & the tortellini still doesn’t get to “al dente”. It’s chewy tough but tastes like it’s done. Does it get that way from overcooking? Doesn’t seem likely, but….. Am I missing something or doing somethning wrong? I use 1 1/2 cups of water, so it should be plenty. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Chrysti Benner says
Hi Gary! It sounds like it’s undercooked if it’s still tough. Are you using dried tortellini or frozen tortellini? If frozen, the only thing I can think of is that maybe your IP isn’t sealed well (either the silicone ring is loose or the vent is open), or it’s accidentally set to low pressure instead of high pressure. If you’re using dried tortellini, it would definitely need a longer cook time (and more water!) in order to get to al dente. I hope that helps! 🙂
Paulo Garay says
Thank you! Mine was perfect!
Chrysti Benner says
I’m so glad to hear that, Paulo! 🙂
Taylor Johnson says
Can I cook my meat in it then pasta and add all that plus sauce and say raw onions and turn it back on? Or should sauce be warm first
Chrysti Benner says
Hi Taylor! I would cook the onions along with the meat, then you can add the sauce (plus some extra liquid to keep the sauce from scorching) and put the tortellini on top, then pressure cook it together if you’d like. You can see how I do it with this recipe: https://marginmakingmom.com/instant-pot-pepperoni-pizza-tortellini/ to give you an idea. I hope that helps! 🙂