This Instant Pot Pasta with Palomino Sauce is light and creamy and delicious. It comes together in just about 20 minutes and only uses 6 ingredients! This recipe is definitely going on my normal rotation from now on.
I think I just changed my own life for the better. I’m new to the Instant Pot world, and I’ve been experimenting with the different ways that I can use my new kitchen gadget! I’ve always been intimidated by my Instant Pot, probably because I just have to dump some things in, turn it on, and then leave it, hoping it turns out alright in my absence.
That’s not so scary when someone else is writing the recipes for you, but when you’re the food blogger (and therefore making up your own recipes), it sometimes seems safer to stick to the stove.
But lately, I’ve been (wo)manning up. It’s time for me to get used to this Instant Pot, and goshdarnit I’m going to.
Choosing to Make this Recipe
I’ve always loved palomino sauce so much, but I never really make it at home on the stove. After seeing my friend Cooking with Karli’s posts about her Instant Pot, I decided it was time to try making my old favorite in a new way.
I took out the ingredients for a palomino sauce and dumped them into my Instant Pot along with some pasta. 15 minutes later, I opened up the lid, and was greeted by pure perfection. I normally wouldn’t say that about my own recipe, but I feel like the Instant Pot deserves the credit here lol.
I even texted my cousin and told her that she needed to make this exact same thing ASAP! The best part about this recipe is that it only uses 6 ingredients and takes 20 minutes from start to finish.
What is Palomino Sauce?
Palomino sauce is my absolute favorite pasta sauce variety. It’s not a widely-known sauce, but it should be! Palomino sauce is made by combining marinara sauce and heavy cream. The result is a creamy, rose-colored pasta sauce.
I love palomino sauce because the cream in the sauce cuts the acidity of the tomatoes. This makes it sweeter than tomato-based sauces, but not as heavy (or unhealthy) as cheese or cream sauces.
What Ingredients are in this Instant Pot Pasta with Palomino Sauce?
Chicken broth
Heavy cream
Marinara sauce
Minced garlic
Salt
Pepper
Dry noodles (I used Hemisfare Brand Reginelle, but you can use any hearty pasta)
Grated parmesan cheese
How to Make this Recipe
In your Instant Pot, add the chicken broth, heavy cream, marinara sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, and noodles. Do not mix the sauce, but make sure that your noodles are as covered as possible by the liquid ingredients.
Set your Instant Pot to manual for 6 minutes. Once the pressure has built and the Instant Pot has cooked for 6 minutes, allow 6 minutes of a natural pressure release. Then quick release the rest of the pressure.
Open the lid of the instant pot and allow the steam to clear. Then, add the grated parmesan cheese, ¼ cup at a time. Mix until the cheese melts and makes the sauce thicker. Enjoy!
Leave a comment on this post letting me know what you thought of this recipe.
Is Palomino Sauce Vegetarian?
Yes! This recipe is completely vegetarian IF you choose to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth (an easy switch!).
If you would like to cut up pre-cooked chicken breasts and add them into your pasta before enjoying, that would be a great way to add some protein into your dinner.
Palomino Sauce vs Vodka Sauce
As it turns out, palomino sauce is just vodka sauce without the vodka. The only difference in recipes is that there is no alcohol in this sauce, whereas there is alcohol in vodka sauce!
Did you like this recipe for Instant Pot Pasta with Palomino Sauce? If so, take a picture and share it on your Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #TheForeignFork and tag @TheForeignFork.
And if you liked this pasta recipe, make sure to check out the other pasta/Instant Pot recipes I have featured on my blog:
- Cacio e Pepe
- Vegemite Pasta
- Easy Pasta Sauce
- How to Make Homemade Pasta
- Split Pea Soup in the Instant Pot
- 8 Indian Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot
Instant Pot Pasta with Palomino Sauce
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- Box Grater
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 ¾ cup marinara sauce
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ½ lb dry pappardelle noodles, I used HemisFares Reginelle (linked in Notes), but you can use any brand of hearty pasta
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In your Instant Pot, add the chicken broth, heavy cream, marinara sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, and noodles. Do not mix the sauce, but make sure that your noodles are as covered as possible by the liquid ingredients.
- Set your Instant Pot to manual for 6 minutes. Once the pressure has built and the Instant Pot has cooked for 6 minutes, allow 6 minutes of a natural pressure release. Then quick release the rest of the pressure.
- Open the lid of the instant pot and allow the steam to clear. Then, add the grated parmesan cheese, ¼ cup at a time. Mix until the cheese melts and makes the sauce thicker. Enjoy!
- Leave a comment on this post letting me know what you thought of this recipe.
Ines says
How do I prepare this recipe without the use of an instant pot. I don’t own one and I want to try your recipe.
Alexandria Drzazgowski says
Hi! You can simmer together the pasta sauce ingredients (except for the chicken broth) in a small sauce pot separately and just pour them over some pasta you cooked on the stove! 🙂
Nancy says
Absolutely loved this simple recipe! I added sliced sautéed chicken breast to serve and it was wonderful!
The Foreign Fork says
I’m so glad you liked it Nancy! Thank you for leaving a review 🙂
Sherry Rhodes says
Is the ingredient amounts the same if I make this on my stovetop? I love palomino sauce and will serve it over ravioli.
The Foreign Fork says
Hi Sherry, If you’re making this on the stove, you wont need any chicken broth! Just cook the spaghetti sauce and cream together, and at the end, add in the cheese to thicken 🙂 Enjoy!
Jennifer Postelnek says
If I want to add chicken to this, do I need to make any other modifications? Does the recipe need additional liquid?
The Foreign Fork says
You should be fine just adding the chicken to the top of the pasta. Let me know how it turns out!
Darrel Anderson says
You state to cook for 7 minutes in the description but only 6 minutes in the recipe to print? Which time is correct
The Foreign Fork says
6 minutes is correct 🙂
Matt says
An instant family favorite! We were new to the Instant Pot scene, but couldn’t resist trying this recipe. We made the sauce and then added some shredded chicken to it and it was the perfect combo! Very excited to use this recipe with other meals. An absolute 10/10
The Foreign Fork says
Adding chicken is a great way to add some protein to this dish! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for leaving a comment!