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The Most Beloved Instant Pot Dishes of 2017

The Instant Pot Phenomenon: Unveiling Simply Happy Foodie’s Top 15 Recipes of 2017

The year 2017 marked a significant turning point in the culinary world, particularly for home cooks and food enthusiasts alike. It was the year the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker, along with other innovative pressure cooker brands, truly exploded onto the scene, transforming kitchens and dinner routines across the globe. This remarkable appliance rekindled interest in a cooking method once considered outdated, making it accessible, fast, and incredibly versatile for modern lifestyles. As a passionate recipe developer and advocate for easy, delicious home cooking, I was incredibly thrilled to witness this resurgence and to be a part of the vibrant Instant Pot community.

Looking back at that pivotal year, it’s heartwarming to reflect on the recipes that resonated most with you, my incredible readers. Your engagement, trust, and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind Simply Happy Foodie. Whether you visited the site, pinned a recipe on Pinterest, shared a review, or recommended my creations to your friends and family on social media, each interaction filled me with immense gratitude. Thank you for making 2017 such a memorable and inspiring year!

Today, I’m delighted to share a culinary journey down memory lane with “Simply Happy Foodie’s Top 15 Instant Pot Recipes of 2017.” These are the pressure cooker dishes that garnered the most love, clicks, and kitchen triumphs from all of you. They represent a fantastic blend of comfort food, quick weeknight solutions, and impressive meals, all made effortlessly in your beloved Instant Pot. Get ready to rediscover some old favorites and perhaps find new inspiration to bring back these timeless hits to your dinner table!

A collage showcasing the top 15 Instant Pot recipes of 2017 by Simply Happy Foodie, featuring a variety of delicious dishes.

Simply Happy Foodie’s Most Loved: The Top 15 Instant Pot Recipes of 2017

The Instant Pot truly shined in 2017, proving its worth as a kitchen essential for both novice and experienced cooks. From hearty soups to decadent desserts, these recipes demonstrate the appliance’s incredible versatility and ability to produce mouth-watering results in a fraction of the time. Let’s dive into the countdown and celebrate the dishes that captured your hearts and taste buds!

15. Instant Pot Potato Ham Soup

A comforting bowl of Instant Pot Potato Ham Soup, garnished with fresh herbs, served in a beige bowl with a spoon, surrounded by rustic vegetables.

Kicking off our list at number 15 is this incredibly satisfying Potato Ham Soup. A true comfort classic, this recipe transforms leftover ham into a creamy, flavorful soup packed with tender potatoes. The Instant Pot makes quick work of simmering, melding all the ingredients into a rich, hearty meal perfect for a chilly evening. It’s no wonder this warm and inviting dish quickly became a reader favorite, offering a delicious way to enjoy comforting flavors with minimal effort.

14. Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Vibrant Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce presented in a white bowl with a black rim, elegantly garnished with fresh cranberries, perfect for festive tables.

Securing the 14th spot is our beloved Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce. While often associated with holidays, this tangy and sweet condiment proved its year-round appeal. Forget the canned version; this homemade sauce is bursting with fresh flavor and comes together in mere minutes in the pressure cooker. Its vibrant color and delightful texture make it a fantastic addition to any meal, from holiday roasts to everyday sandwiches, showcasing the Instant Pot’s ability to simplify even traditionally time-consuming sides.

13. Instant Pot Chili Mac

A spoonful of delicious Instant Pot Chili Mac, highlighting the rich chili and perfectly cooked macaroni, ready to be enjoyed.

Coming in at number 13, the Instant Pot Chili Mac proved to be a powerhouse of flavor and convenience. This one-pot wonder combines two classic comfort foods – savory chili and cheesy macaroni – into a single, irresistible dish. The Instant Pot ensures that the pasta cooks perfectly al dente while absorbing all the rich, spicy flavors of the chili. It’s a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.

12. Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli

A hearty serving of Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli in a white bowl, presented on a sleek metal background, emphasizing its rustic appeal.

At spot 12, we have the Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli, a rustic Italian soup that gained immense popularity. This recipe brings the authentic flavors of pasta and beans together in a hearty, soul-warming broth, usually requiring hours of simmering. Thanks to the Instant Pot, this traditional dish becomes a quick and simple affair, delivering a rich, complex flavor profile in a fraction of the time. It’s a testament to how the Instant Pot can elevate classic recipes, making them accessible for everyday enjoyment.

11. Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta in a white bowl, generously garnished with fresh cilantro, showcasing its vibrant and appetizing look.

The 11th most popular recipe is the Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta, a brilliant fusion of two beloved cuisines. This dish delivers all the zesty, savory flavors of tacos combined with the comforting texture of cheesy pasta, all in one pot. It’s incredibly easy to make, perfect for those evenings when you crave something flavorful and fuss-free. The Instant Pot ensures a creamy, perfectly cooked pasta dish that’s bound to become a regular in your meal rotation, captivating taste buds with every bite.

10. Instant Pot Ham Hock and Bean Soup

A delicious bowl of Instant Pot Ham Hock and Bean Soup, served in a white bowl with a spoon on a light background, highlighting its wholesome ingredients.

Cracking the top 10, we have the Instant Pot Ham Hock and Bean Soup. This rustic, flavorful soup is deeply satisfying, extracting rich flavors from the ham hock and tenderizing the beans to perfection. Traditionally a slow-cooked affair, the Instant Pot drastically cuts down on cooking time, delivering a deeply savory and wholesome meal that tastes like it simmered all day. It’s a testament to the Instant Pot’s ability to transform humble ingredients into a truly gourmet experience.

9. Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta served in a beige bowl with a wooden spoon, showcasing its rich sauce and tender chicken.

At number 9, the Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta proved to be an irresistible hit. This elegant yet simple dish combines tender chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious garlic cream sauce, all perfectly cooked alongside pasta in a single pot. It delivers restaurant-quality flavors and textures with minimal effort, making it a fantastic choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Its vibrant taste and creamy consistency clearly left a lasting impression on our readers.

8. Instant Pot Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Instant Pot Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes in a metal springform pan, resting on a wooden board, with a pressure cooker blurred in the background, suggesting ease of preparation.

Taking the 8th spot are the Instant Pot Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, a beloved side dish that often graces holiday tables. Preparing this classic in the Instant Pot eliminates the long baking time, resulting in perfectly tender potatoes bathed in a rich, creamy cheese sauce in record time. It’s a wonderful way to achieve that comforting, bubbly perfection without heating up the entire kitchen, making it a stress-free addition to any meal, proving the Instant Pot’s mastery over even the most cherished side dishes.

7. Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

A slice of creamy Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake elegantly presented on a white plate, with a pressure cooker subtly blurred in the background, suggesting its origin.

At number 7, we ventured into dessert territory with the Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake. Who knew you could bake a flawless cheesecake in a pressure cooker? This recipe delivers an incredibly smooth, perfectly set, and wonderfully spiced pumpkin cheesecake every time. The Instant Pot’s consistent steam environment creates a crack-free, velvety dessert that’s hard to achieve in a traditional oven. It’s a game-changer for dessert lovers, especially during the fall season, and a testament to the Instant Pot’s unexpected culinary capabilities.

6. Instant Pot Bone-In Ham

A succulent slice of Instant Pot Bone-in Ham, served with vibrant vegetables and a fork on a turquoise plate, highlighting its tender texture.

The 6th most cherished recipe brought a holiday staple to our everyday lives: Instant Pot Bone-In Ham. Preparing a substantial ham can often feel daunting, but the Instant Pot simplifies the process, yielding a juicy, flavorful ham with a fraction of the traditional cooking time. This recipe proved invaluable for both festive gatherings and simple Sunday dinners, allowing for perfectly tender meat infused with a delicious glaze. It’s an ideal solution for achieving impressive results with minimal fuss, making it a firm reader favorite.

5. Instant Pot Simple Pot Roast

A classic Instant Pot Simple Pot Roast on a white plate, accompanied by a small gravy pitcher and with a pressure cooker in the background, signaling a homemade meal.

Breaking into the top 5, we have the ultimate comfort food: Instant Pot Simple Pot Roast. This classic dish is renowned for its tender, fall-apart meat and flavorful vegetables, traditionally requiring hours of slow cooking. The Instant Pot dramatically reduces the cooking time, delivering a fork-tender pot roast with a rich, savory gravy in a fraction of the time. It’s the perfect one-pot meal for a hearty family dinner, proving that the Instant Pot excels at transforming tough cuts of meat into succulent masterpieces.

4. Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs on a white plate, elegantly garnished with fresh baby spinach, offering a balanced and delicious meal.

Claiming the 4th spot is the incredibly versatile and delicious Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Potatoes. This recipe quickly became a go-to for many due to its simplicity and satisfying results. Tender, flavorful chicken thighs cook alongside perfectly seasoned potatoes in one pot, creating a complete and balanced meal with minimal effort. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights when you need a wholesome, home-cooked dinner without compromising on taste or quality. This recipe truly embodies the convenience the Instant Pot offers.

3. Instant Pot Beef Barley Vegetable Soup

A steaming bowl of Instant Pot Beef Barley Vegetable Soup, served in a white bowl with a spoon, accompanied by fresh rolls and a pressure cooker in the background.

Earning a coveted spot in the top 3 is the Instant Pot Beef Barley Vegetable Soup. This hearty, nourishing soup is packed with tender beef, wholesome barley, and an array of colorful vegetables, all swimming in a rich, savory broth. What would typically take hours to simmer on the stovetop is achieved in a fraction of the time in the Instant Pot, yielding a deeply flavorful and incredibly satisfying meal. It’s the perfect bowl of comfort for colder days, showcasing the Instant Pot’s ability to create depth of flavor quickly.

2. Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles

A comforting bowl of Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles, served in a white bowl on a light background, ready to be enjoyed.

And coming in at a very close second place, proving its widespread appeal, is the Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles. This classic American comfort food is elevated by the Instant Pot, delivering tender chicken, perfectly cooked noodles, and a rich, savory broth in record time. It’s the ultimate go-to meal for a comforting dinner, especially when you need something quick and incredibly satisfying. The simplicity and nostalgic flavor of this dish resonated deeply with our readers, making it an undeniable favorite.

The Reigning Champion: Simply Happy Foodie’s Number One Instant Pot Recipe of 2017 Is…

1. Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup)

A comforting bowl of Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup), showcasing its creamy broth, sausage, and tender potatoes.

And the number one recipe on Simply Happy Foodie for 2017, the undisputed champion, is the Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup)! This copycat recipe of a beloved restaurant favorite took the Instant Pot community by storm. It features a creamy broth, savory Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and fresh kale, creating a soup that is rich in flavor and wonderfully comforting. The Instant Pot effortlessly brings together all these elements, making a complex-tasting soup surprisingly simple and quick to prepare. Its irresistible taste, combined with the ease of preparation, made it an overwhelming favorite, proving that some dishes are just destined for greatness. If you haven’t tried this one yet, it’s an absolute must-make!

There you have it – the top 15 Instant Pot recipes that captured your attention and hearts in 2017. These dishes highlight the incredible versatility and efficiency of the Instant Pot, making delicious home-cooked meals more accessible than ever. Thank you for being a part of this amazing culinary journey, and here’s to many more years of happy cooking!