Name: Instant Pot Pasta Salad
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 Cups of cold water; 12 oz. package of tri colored rotini; 1/4 tsp. Sea salt; 1/2 Cup Zesty Italian dressing; 8 oz. Sharp cheddar cheese cubed; 4-5 oz. Peperoni slices halved or quartered; 6 oz can black olives sliced; 1 tsp. Italian seasoning

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Pasta salad is the perfect side dish for that backyard summer BBQ or party. Pasta salad is always a crowd-pleaser and so easy. I know boiling pasta on the stovetop isn’t difficult or even super time-consuming, but I’m all about making my life easier. So why not use the Instant Pot? Dump the pasta in and walk away, no babysitting a boiling pot or heating up the house. The pasta turns out perfectly al dente.

Instant Pot Pasta Salad with tri colored rotini, cheddar cheese, black olives, sliced pepperoni and Italian dressing

You Will Need:

How to make Instant Pot Pasta Salad

Instructions:

Add 4 cups of water, sea salt, and tri-colored rotini to the Instant Pot
Stir gently and place the lid on with the vent knob turned to the sealing position.
Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.
When the cooking cycle is complete, naturally release pressure immediately.
Carefully pour the cooked pasta into a colander and rinse with cold water.
Add Italian seasoning, Italian dressing, and stir to combine.
Add sliced olives, shredded cheese, and sliced pepperoni toss gently to combine
Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe Variations

There is no right or wrong when it comes to pasta salad. You can change out any of these ingredients or add your favorite ingredients to this to make it your own. Substitute Monterey Jack cheese for the sharp cheddar cheese or Olive Garden Italian Dressing for Zesty Kraft Dressing.

Serve Instant Pot Pasta Salad With:

30 Minute Instant Pot Recipes

How To Store Pasta Salad

Once the pasta salad is assembled store it in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. If needed add a tablespoon or two of dressing before serving as the pasta may soak up the dressing as it sits. Make Instant Pot Pasta Salad up to 24 hours in advance.