Roasted Red Pepper Pasta in the Pressure Cooker

Serves 4 in about 30 minutes. The pot starts with tsp basil, then parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

• 2 (16 oz) jars roasted red peppers, drained, divided
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 3 lg cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 2 cups water or low sodium chicken broth, divided
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (or 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes)
• 8 oz spaghetti noodles, uncooked, broken in half
• Grated parmesan cheese

Method

1. Drain and chop up 1 of the jars of roasted red peppers. keep it nearby.
2. Turn on the Sauté setting. When hot, add butter and the oil to the pot.
3. Tip in the onion and cook, while stirring now and then, until they are soft and translucent.
4. Stir in the garlic and dried basil. Simmer for 30 seconds, while stirring often. Don't let the garlic brown.
5. Turn off the sauté setting.
6. Tip in 1 cup of the water/broth, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir.
7. Stir in the spaghetti in a random pattern like a bird's nest (this helps them not stick together). Do not stir.
8. Layer the chopped red peppers over the pasta. Do not stir.
9. Tip in the remaining cup of water/broth.
10. Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
11. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 6 minutes. High Pressure. The pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure.
12. While the pasta is cooking, drain and puree the second jar of roasted red peppers. keep it nearby.
13. When the cook cycle has finished, turn off the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 3 minutes (3 instant natural release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining steam/pressure.
14. When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
15. Mix the pasta. Then pour in the pureed roasted red peppers. It will be a little watery, so let it sit for a few minutes to thicken, and to heat through.
16. Plate garnished with parmesan, and fresh basil leaves, if you have them.

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.