Ever wished pasta could be as quick as making upma?

If you think pasta means boiling separately, draining, and then making a sauce… think again.

This One-Pot Pressure Cooker Pasta is a total game-changer.It’s a complete one-pot meal — no boiling pasta separately, no endless cleanup. Just toss everything into the cooker and let it do the magic!

It’s the quickest way to pack a kids’ lunchbox that they’ll actually finish. And guess what?
You’ll also love it for those rushed weekdays!

Why You’ll Love This Pressure Cooker Pasta

This recipe is:

• Super fast — ready in under 15 minutes
  
• One-pot — less dishes to clean
  
• Kid-approved — mild, creamy, not spicy
  
• Budget-friendly — uses simple pantry ingredients
  
• Perfect lunchbox option — stays soft and tasty
  

With butter, sweet corn, capsicum and penne pasta cooked directly in sauce…
this pasta turns incredibly flavorful and saucy.

Ingredients Breakdown

• Penne Pasta — Holds its shape well, absorbs flavors beautifully
  
• Butter + Oil — Rich taste and perfect sautéing combo
  
• Garlic + Onion — Flavor base that gives a restaurant-style aroma
  
• Capsicum + Sweet Corn — Adds crunch, color, and a hint of sweetness
  
• Tomato Puree + Ketchup — Creamy, tangy sauce with kid-approved taste
  
• Italian Herbs + Oregano + Chilli Flakes — Flavor boosters for that classic pasta taste
  
• Kashmiri Chilli Powder — Gives bright color without heat

Vegan Swap 🌱: Skip butter & use olive oil. Choose vegan pasta.

Let’s Make It!

Start by heating butter and oil in a pressure cooker this combo gives the best flavor.
Next, sauté garlic until fragrant, then onions just until soft… don’t brown them. We want a smooth, saucy base.

Add capsicum and corn for a quick toss they stay crisp after cooking. Now comes the hero: tomato puree. Let it cook well until the raw smell disappears this step makes all the difference.

Season it up salt, Kashmiri chilli powder, pepper, and cumin. Mix in ketchup for that creamy-tangy taste kids love.

Add the penne directly into the sauce so it absorbs all those flavors. Sprinkle in herbs, oregano, Italian seasoning, chili flakes.

Pour water just enough to cook the pasta (no extra, no draining!). Pressure cook for 1 whistle, let pressure release naturally…
Open the lid to a pan of perfectly saucy, delicious pasta! 😍

Give a quick mix, taste-test seasoning, done!

Pro Tip ⭐: Want even more creaminess? Add 2 tbsp fresh cream or grated cheese before serving.

What to Serve With Pressure Cooker Pasta

• Garlic bread
  
• Cheese toast
  
• Simple veggie salad
  
• A chilled fruit juice for kids
  

Serving Tip: Always garnish with a little cheese — guaranteed extra smiles!

Lunchbox / Packing Tips

• Add 1–2 tbsp extra butter if packing for later prevents drying
  
• Let it cool slightly before closing the box (avoids steam turning pasta mushy)
  
• Sprinkle extra herbs on top for a fresh aroma when opened
  

Bulk Preparation for Parties

Planning movie night or a kids’ party?

✔️ Double ingredients
✔️ Same cooking steps
✔️ Cook for 1 whistle only, don’t increase whistles

Keep covered pasta continues to soften as it rests.

Substitutions

How to Store Pressure Cooker Pasta

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge upto 2 days
  
• Add a splash of hot water while reheating for the best texture
  

How to Reheat

Microwave:
Heat for 45–60 seconds, stir, add water if needed, heat again.

Stovetop:
Warm on low heat with 2–3 tbsp water until soft and saucy.

Other Related Recipes You Might Like:-

• Pink Sauce Pasta – a creamy and tangy fusion pasta made with a mix of white and red sauce.
• Indian-Style Masala Pasta – spicy, desi-style pasta cooked with veggies and masala.
• Creamy White Sauce Macaroni – classic macaroni in a rich white sauce, kids’ favourite.
• Masala Macaroni – simple and tasty macaroni tossed in onion–tomato masala.
• Hong Kong Style Noodles – quick and flavourful noodles, perfect for Indo-Asian lovers.
• Chili Garlic Noodles – spicy, garlicky noodle stir-fry ready in minutes.
• Veg Quesadilla – cheesy and crunchy fusion snack often paired with pasta in café-style meals.
• Cheesy Vegetable Nachos – a delicious appetizer that complements pasta-based meals.

Print Recipe

Budget-Friendly

Pressure Cooker Pasta

Author: Hema Subramanian Cooking Method: Pressure Cooked, Sauteing Cuisine: Indian, Italian Courses: Dinner, Lunch, Meal Prep Recipe Keys: O One-Pot T Tasty V vegetarian

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 20 mins

Servings: 5 Calories: 340

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year, Winter

Dietary:

H High-Fiber V Vegetarian

Description

This one-pot pressure cooker pasta is a quick and delicious way to put a wholesome meal on the table. Penne is cooked directly in a rich tomato sauce with fresh vegetables and classic Italian seasoning — all in just one whistle. It’s loaded with flavor, requires minimal prep, and eliminates extra cleanup. A great go-to for kids’ lunchboxes, easy dinners, or make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

Cook Mode Cooking Mode Disabled

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 2 cups penne pasta
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp oil
• 4 cubes butter
• 2 tbsp garlic (chopped)
• 3 onion (finely chopped)
• 1 green capsicum (chopped)
• 1 red capsicum (chopped)
• 1 cup sweet corn (uncooked)
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• ¹⁄₄ cup tomato ketchup
• 1 tsp italian herbs
• 1 tsp oregano
• ¹⁄₂ tsp chilli flakes

Instructions

Prep Work

1. Chop vegetables

   Chop garlic, onions, green and red capsicum into small pieces

2. Puree tomatoes

   Blend tomatoes into a smooth puree

3. Measure pasta

   Keep pasta ready to add into the cooker

4. Keep spices ready

   Place all spices and herbs within reach
   

Method

1. Heat fats

   Heat oil and butter cubes in pressure cooker

2. Sauté garlic

   Add chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant

3. Add onions

   Stir in chopped onions and cook on medium-low without browning
   

4. Add vegetables

   Mix in capsicum and sweet corn and cook briefly

5. Add puree

   Add tomato puree and mix well
   

6. Season the base

   Add salt, kashmiri chilli powder, pepper and cumin powder and mix well

7. Cook the sauce

   Cook until raw smell fades and sauce thickens slightly

8. Add ketchup

   Mix tomato ketchup into the sauce

9. Add pasta

   Coat pasta evenly in the sauce

10. Add herbs

    Sprinkle italian herbs, oregano and chilli flakes
    

11. Add water & cook

    Pour water, close cooker, place weight and pressure cook for 1 whistle on medium-high

12. Rest & release

    Turn off heat and let pressure release naturally

13. Serve

    Open and enjoy perfectly cooked pasta
    

Equipment

• bowl

  

  Round Glass/Mixing Bowl big (2100ml) Buy Now
• Pressure Cooker

  

  Aluminium Pressure Cooker, 7.5 Litres Buy Now
• Spatula

  

  Flat Wooden Spatula Set  Buy Now

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Nutrition Facts

Servings 5

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 340kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 12g19%

Saturated Fat 6g30%

Cholesterol 18mg6%

Sodium 480mg20%

Potassium 310mg9%

Total Carbohydrate 50g17%

Dietary Fiber 4g16%

Sugars 6g

Protein 10g20%

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Vitamin A 1400 IU

Vitamin C 45 mg

Calcium 55 mg

Iron 2.2 mg

Magnesium 35 mg

Zinc 1 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: Pressure Cooker Pasta, Penne Pasta, One-Pot pasta,

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