Instant Pot Makhani Pasta
Nov 08, 2019, Updated May 28, 2023
Whole wheat pasta tossed in a creamy Indian inspired sauce. This vegan makhani pasta gets done in one-pot and in 30 minutes!
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Got 30 minutes? Make this creamy Makhani Pasta inspired by Indian flavors in your Instant Pot! Whole wheat pasta tossed in a spiced creamy Indian sauce and all comes together in 30 minutes. It is also vegan!
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Ever since I started making pasta in my Instant Pot, I haven’t made it any other way.
And why would I? Pasta in IP is like the easiest thing ever!
It’s quick, easy and the best part, it all gets done in one-pot.
You guys love all the Instant Pot pasta recipes that I share and so I am not going to stop anytime soon.
My new Instant pot pasta recipe is inspired from Indian flavors.
When I first started eating pasta back in India, my house help would cook macaroni with Indian flavors and I would love it.
He would add the onion, tomato and some spices and it really tasted great.
In fact, I also have a recipe for Masala Mac & Cheese in my cookbook.
So I tried incorporating similar Indian flavors here and came up with this Makhani Pasta.
Whole wheat penne is tossed in a creamy spiced sauce. It is so good and makes such a quick easy meal!
This Instant Pot Makhani Pasta
✓ is one-pot meal
✓ comes together in 30 minutes!
✓ is vegan and nut-free
✓ makes a comforting flavorful meal
Now, I know some of you might have apprehensions trying a pasta with Indian flavors.
But guys, trust me on this. You will like it, I can promise you that! 🙂
This pasta can’t get any easier. First sauté some onions and then add everything including pasta, tomatoes, spices and pressure cook.
Once the pasta is pressure cooked, then simply add the coconut milk for creaminess and let it simmer for few minutes. And that’s about it!
Now here, you can also heavy cream in place of coconut milk. I just preferred the coconut milk here for the flavor.
To flavor the pasta, I have used few spices like garam masala, cardamom powder, red chili powder and kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) at the end for that taste and fragrance.
I have also used kashmiri red chili powder which is mainly for the nice red color. You may skip it.
For this pasta recipe, I used whole wheat penne. If using regular flour pasta, I would probably cook for 4 minutes on high pressure rather than 6.
This is one of those meals which you can make on a busy day.
Doesn’t need a ton of ingredients, there’s very little prep time and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
I highly recommend using Chaokoh Coconut Milk here. It truly makes a difference to the final taste of the pasta.
Method
1- Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot. Once it displays hot, add the oil and then add the chopped garlic, ginger, jalapeño and onion.
2- Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until onions are soft. Then add the water and de-glaze the pot. Make sure there’s no brown bits stuck at the bottom.
3- Followed by the pasta.
4- And followed by a can of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cardamom powder, garam masala, red chili powder, kashmiri red chili powder and salt. Do not stir. You may spread the tomatoes over the pasta a bit.
5- Close the pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then quick release the pressure.
6- Open the lid, stir everything and press the sauté button.
7- Add the sugar, coconut milk.
8- Add kasuri methi and let the pasta simmer for 2 minutes.
Add in chopped cilantro and sprinkle cardamom powder and garam masala on top before serving.
Enjoy Makhani Pasta warm!
Ingredients Used
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Instant Pot Makhani Pasta
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoons oil 22 ml, I used avocado oil
- 3-4 large garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 inch ginger finely chopped
- 1/2 jalapeño seeded and chopped or use 1 green chili
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 cup water 8 oz/240 ml
- 8 oz whole wheat penne pasta
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder + more to sprinkle later
- 1/4 teaspoon garam masala + more to sprinkle later
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder for color
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup coconut milk I used Chaokoh brand
- 1.5 teaspoon kasuri methi crushed, dried fenugreek leaves
- 1 tablespoons chopped cilantro + more to garnish
Instructions
- Press the saute button on the Instant Pot. Once it displays hot, add the oil and then add the chopped garlic, ginger, jalapeño and onion.
- Saute for 2 to 3 minutes until onions are soft. Then add the water and de-glaze the pot. Make sure there's no brown bits stuck at the bottom.
- Followed by the pasta, can of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cardamom powder, garam masala, red chili powder, kashmiri red chili powder and salt. Do not stir. You may spread the tomatoes over the pasta a bit using a spatula.
- Close the pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then quick release the pressure.
- Open the lid, stir everything and press the saute button.
- Add the sugar, coconut milk, kasuri methi and let the pasta simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add in chopped cilantro and sprinkle cardamom powder and garam masala on top before serving.Enjoy Makhani Pasta warm!
Stove-top Instructions
- To make this pasta on stove-top, boil the pasta in a pan according to instructions on the package. Once boiled, set it aside. Reserve some pasta water from boiling.
- Heat a pan on medium heat and once hot, add oil to it. Then add garlic, ginger, jalapeño and onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
- Then add can of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cardamom powder, garam masala, red chili powder, kashmiri red chili powder and salt. Stir well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the sugar, coconut milk and mix. Add in the boiled pasta and mix well. You may also add some of the reserved pasta water if the sauce looks very thick. Taste test salt and sugar at this point. Let the pasta heat through. Add kasuri methi and turn off heat. Sprinkle cardamom powder, garam masala before serving and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving!
Video
Notes
- You can use an entire can of coconut milk if you want more saucy pasta. 1 cup was good enough for me.
- The pasta thickens as it cools down. So when reheating, you might have to add little coconut milk.
- If you don't care about this vegan, you can use heavy cream in place of coconut milk. I would probably add 1/2 cup at first and then see how much creamy it tastes and only then add more.
- If using regular wheat pasta (& not whole wheat), pressure cook for 4 minutes at high pressure.
- You may skip kashmiri red chili powder. It's only for color.
- Do use Chaokoh brand coconut milk. I highly recommend it.
- This recipe was tested in a 6qt. If you have a 8qt, you might need additional 1/2 cup water.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was so good. Thanks for sharing a great recipe with us!
I have made this recipe several times. It is my quick go-to meal and it is good each time. I sometimes swap out the wheat pasta for chickpea pasta, and it works just as well. *chefs kiss*
I wanted to try this recipe for a long time and I finally got a chance last night. It turned out so good and way better than what I imagined. The flavours are delicious and feel hearty. I used WholeFoods organic regular wheat pasta shells and followed the same instructions with 6 mins cook+5 pressure release and it turned out perfectly al-dente.
glad to know! I love this recipe, it’s one of my favs 🙂
Thanks Manali! This turned out great. Seems like it is very versatile…add different veggies or meats or cheeses if desired. I’ll try vegan meat next time. Anytime I’m looking for a new recipe I come back to you! I’m not an intuitive cook so I follow your directions exactly and always end up feeling successful.
so glad to hear that Amber! You can definitely add different veggies to it, it’s pretty customizable that way!
Hi Manali, first off am a great fan of your recipes and have tried quite a few of them and they have turned out great. I tried your Makhni pasta today. My son is very fond of makhni gravy but was sceptical to try it on pasta. He bargained with me, mom if I don’t like it I will have Maggi instead. So once I served it he tried a bite, gave it a thought and said ok I will eat this since you have cooked it. After 2-3 bites he started loving it saying I did not think the makhni gravy would go so well with the pasta. I used rotini since that’s what I had in my pantry. The pasta was a hit and I cannot thank you enough for sharing it.
so glad to hear that Anjali! 🙂 Thanks for trying!
i tried this today, so awesome!
Can I have it in weight lose diet? 500 calorie for one serving?
this is not weight loss food
Use light coconut milk and only one table spoon of oil and then divide it into smaller portions
My husband made it last night for dinner. It was very delicious ?
Easy to follow recipe.
I made this, not being vegetarian, I also added some lean ground beef after sauteing the onion mixture. I also doubled the recipe. I give this one a 5 star.
awesome!
Hey Manali!
Whenever I made Pasta at home the sauce or masala is not completely mixing with pasta. Can you please suggest me any tip?
are you adding oil to the pasta water when boiling it? That might be the reason, avoid that.
This was so good! I’m desi American but, surprisingly, have never had desi style pasta. This was my first time and I loved it! The flavors are perfect ❤️
I made it with regular wheat pasta, and followed your note for 4 min high pressure + 5 min natural release which wasn’t enough though. I think your recommendation for 6 min on high pressure would be perfect not just for whole wheat pasta but for regular pasta as well.
Fantastic recipe. Used heavy cream in lieu of coconut milk. Can’t wait to make it again! Thank you for sharing.
welcome 🙂
Made this tonight and our family loved it ! Thank you once again ❤️
Welcome Ankita!
Hi Manali , I cooked this and me and my husband loved it . One question about tomato paste ,.. as we are using canned tomato paste , and we use only a tablespoon of it . how we are going to store the remaining paste ?
you can freeze the remaining in ice cube tray and use as required. But honestly, I always use the tomato paste that comes in tubes (check Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods), so you use 1 tablespoon and rest of the tube keeps well in the refrigerator and is used as required. So, from next time always get the tomato paste in tube not can.
That’s awesome . Thanks fo your reply and double thanks for your suggestion . Keep rocking .!
Awesome tasty recipe. My toddler loved it.
I made few changes. I used spaghetti instead of pasta. Also, I added sweet potatoes, frozen mixed veggies and broccoli, so that my LO will eat few veggies. I also added frozen veggie balls from (IKEA). I defrosted them in microwave, added it after the pressure released. I served it after 30 mins so everything was tasting perfect.
awesome!
Hi Manali. I have a very picky eaters at my house. So want to ask- does coconut milk give a strong flavor in this recipe? If it doesn’t then everyone will eat otherwise they won’t. I hate to make this and go waste. I know you’ve mentioned you can substitute with either heavy whipping cream or half n half. But I like to try your original recipe.
Hi Amy, no it doesn’t have a very strong coconut flavor. And if you use the brand that I suggest Chaokoh Coconut Milk it has a very subtle coconut flavor and that’s why I recommend it. Hope you give it a try 🙂
Hello! This looks amazon! We aren’t vegan – just vegetarian. Can we just use regular 2% milk instead of coconut milk? Should we add any other flavor if not using coconut milk?
I would go for half n half rather than 2% milk, will make it much more creamier and flavorful
Hi Manali , looks great! I have geek instant pot. I can manually set the pressure to 6 mins but I don’t have high / low mode. What should I do ? Thanks
hmm I have no idea about geek instant pot but I would say just do 6 minutes, if it works same as IP then should be fine
Can we make it in a regular pressure cooker? If so should we add some water for cooking the pasta
you may, I have never cooked pasta in my regular pressure cooker so I don’t have the right answer, sorry
Give example of red chili powder. Is it from Indian store?
Yes! https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Spice-Chili-Powder-Regular/dp/B003CIAP3E/ref=sxin_3_ac_d_rm?ac_md=0-0-cmVkIGNoaWxpIHBvd2Rlcg%3D%3D-ac_d_rm&cv_ct_cx=red+chili+powder&keywords=red+chili+powder&pd_rd_i=B003CIAP3E&pd_rd_r=a4ef562b-9951-4b45-9bb3-6f76a50a536e&pd_rd_w=keYZd&pd_rd_wg=Fnb4B&pf_rd_p=de19e82a-2d83-4ae8-9f5c-212586b8b9a0&pf_rd_r=4KPXE11SXDR3A3RZD3FV&psc=1&qid=1580410526&sr=1-1-12d4272d-8adb-4121-8624-135149aa9081
Is this different then Kashmiri Mirch? To me, Kashmiri mirch is hot. Is this also a hot chili powder? Thanks
yes it is, in India we use a chili powder known as kashmiri red chili powder which is mildly hot and mainly used in dishes (like tandoori dishes) to give the dish a bright red color. Read more about it here: https://food.ndtv.com/ingredient/kashmiri-mirch-701086 . You can skip it in this recipe, no big deal.
Oh alright.I will try that.Thank you so much!
Hey Manali, Can I use Fresh tomatoes instead of canned one? Thanks!
you may, canned ones help in making it more saucy so I prefer them!
Excellent flavours! This is going into my weeknight rotation. I substituted gluten free pasta, cooked at high pressure for 4 minutes and it was perfect.
awesome!