Everyone likes pasta, but nobody likes to dirty pots and pans to prepare it. If you are lucky enough to have an electric pressure cooker, you don't need anything else and you will be able to sit down at the table in ten minutes. All you have to do is pour the pasta, water and your favorite ready sauce into the pot, secure the lid and set the cooking time. When the pot timer rings, let the steam vent and then give the pasta a good stir. Dinner will be ready in no time, less than it takes to boil water in a traditional pot.
Ingrediants
- 350-450 g of pasta
- 700 ml of ready-made sauce
- 850-950 ml of water
- Additional ingredients of your choice
- Aromatic herbs and spices to taste
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Put the Ingredients in the Pot
Step 1. Pour the pasta into the electric pressure cooker
Choose the variety of pasta you prefer, open the package, weigh it with the scale and then pour it into the pot. Theoretically you can use any type of pasta, but the short and thick one (such as penne or macaroni) is better suited to this type of cooking.
- Spaghetti, and long pasta in general, could stick together.
- For convenience, you can prepare a generous amount of pasta and store it in the refrigerator for the following days.
Step 2. Add your favorite ready-made gravy
You will need about 700 ml, you can use more or less according to your personal tastes. Open the jar and spread the sauce over the pasta. Keep in mind that the sauce will provide some of the moisture the pasta needs to cook, so you may need to add more water if the sauce is light or very thick.
Conversely, if you have chosen a very liquid sauce, it is better to use less water. The amount of water indicated is suitable for a sauce with a rich consistency
Step 3. Add the other ingredients to taste
At this point you can decide whether to add, for example, a pinch of salt, pepper or oregano, a clove of garlic, some basil leaves or any other spice or aromatic herb that you think will make the dish even tastier. Select the extra ingredients based on the type of gravy you have chosen.
If you are unsure about the quantities of herbs and spices, start with half a teaspoon or less, you can add more later if necessary
Step 4. Cover the ingredients with water
In most cases, 850-950ml of water will be enough to cook up to 450g of pasta. It is very important that the pasta is completely covered because if there is not enough moisture in the pot it is likely to be undercooked.
- As a general rule, you should use about 225ml of water for every 100g of pasta.
- You can always drain it from excess water if it is too moist at the end of cooking.
Part 2 of 3: Cooking the Pasta
Step 1. Close the pressure cooker
Fit the lid onto the edges of the pot and then turn it clockwise to seal it. Check that the small round steam vent valve, located on the lid, is completely closed before continuing.
- Also make sure the plug is plugged into the nearest power outlet.
- The steam vent valve manages the pressure inside the pot. Depending on the location, it traps or lets the steam escape. If it is open, the pasta will not cook correctly.
Step 2. Program the pressure cooker
At this point you need to set the temperature and cooking mode. Set a high degree of heat; in this way, once cooked, the pasta will have the right consistency.
The electric pressure cooker uses a combination of heat and pressure to cook food in a much shorter time than ordinary cookware
Step 3. Set the cooking time
The pasta will cook in between 4 and 8 minutes. Select it manually by repeatedly pressing the "+" key until the desired number of minutes appears on the display. The pot will need a couple of minutes to heat up, once the necessary pressure is reached, a timer will appear and the countdown will begin.
If you're making a simple recipe, 4-5 minutes should be enough to cook the pasta and heat the sauce. If, on the other hand, the preparation includes many ingredients, including for example meat and vegetables, it is likely that it will take 8 minutes to cook
Step 4. Let the pasta cook for the required time
In the meantime, set the table, prepare the other ingredients for the meal or take advantage of the wait to rest on the sofa. You won't have to wait long, dinner will be ready in a few minutes.
- Do not change the position of the lid or valve while the pressure cooker is in operation.
- The pot will turn off autonomously when cooked. At that point it will emit a sound to warn you that the pasta is ready.
Step 5. Let the steam vent
Locate the circular valve on the lid and slowly turn it counterclockwise with your fingers until it stops. Opening the valve will allow the steam trapped inside the pot to escape. Stay at a safe distance while the valve is open.
If you're worried about opening the valve, wrap it in a cloth or pot holder to protect your hands from the heat
Part 3 of 3: Drain and Serve the Pasta
Step 1. Remove the lid from the pressure cooker
To unlock it, grab it by the handle and turn it counterclockwise. Lift it gently, bearing in mind that the contents of the pot are hot. Place the lid on a flat, heat-resistant surface.
The lid handle is made of a thick plastic material, so you can touch it with your bare hands, without the need to use pot holders
Step 2. Drain the excess liquid from the pasta
If you accidentally added too much water, the sauce may be a little stretched. In this case, pour all the contents of the pot into a bowl and then tilt it slightly over the sink to let the excess liquid drain. Another option is to transfer the pasta to dishes using a slotted spoon. This way the excess liquid will remain inside the pot.
- A little too much moisture shouldn't interfere with the taste and texture of the dish.
- Play with the quantities until you reach an optimal result. Do not forget to take note of the ideal proportions to adopt them on subsequent occasions.
Step 3. Stir the dough
Turn it until all the ingredients are well blended. Stir from the bottom up to reach the ones that have slipped to the bottom. If the pasta has stuck or there are any lumps in the sauce, use a spoon to separate them.
- If the pasta seems to be uncooked, continue cooking for 1-2 minutes. It can happen if it is very thick.
- Stirring will cause the ingredients to absorb some of the liquid that may have accumulated in the bottom of the pressure cooker.
Step 4. Eat the pasta while it is hot
You can add a sprinkle of grated cheese and some fresh basil leaves. Slice the bread to make the shoe. Depending on the type of sauce, you can also add chopped hazelnuts, pistachios or other spices or aromatic herbs. In the time you have saved thanks to the electric pressure cooker you can also prepare an appetizer or a second.
If the dough is left over, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Eat it within 2-3 days
Advice
- The electric pressure cooker is an excellent ally for quickly preparing dinner during working days, when time is short.
- If you want to reduce the amount of pasta, change the doses of the other ingredients accordingly (starting with the water) to obtain the correct proportions.
- The pressure cooker must contain at least 120ml of water in order to function properly.
- After dinner, clean the inside of the pressure cooker with water, a soft sponge and mild dish soap, then dry it with a clean dish towel.
