When it comes to quick and hearty meals, few things compare to a warm bowl of pasta loaded with rich flavors. If you think making a creamy, savory pasta dish requires multiple pots and a sink full of dishes, think again.
This instant pot recipe brings together sausage, tender pasta shells, and a luscious sauce, all in one pot.
It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights or when you need something satisfying with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves rich, comforting meals but doesn’t want to spend hours cooking. The instant pot does most of the work, ensuring that flavors meld beautifully while keeping everything perfectly cooked.
The sausage adds a bold, savory depth, while the combination of Parmesan and cream creates a smooth, velvety sauce. It’s one of those recipes that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to throw together.
The beauty of using an instant pot is that it locks in flavor while significantly cutting down on cooking time. Unlike traditional pasta recipes that require boiling water separately and cooking sauce in another pan, this method allows everything to cook together, infusing the dish with rich layers of taste.
Tips for the Best Results
To make sure your pasta turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Use high-quality sausage – Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, or a combination of both, a good Italian sausage will add great depth of flavor.
- Don’t stir the pasta – When adding the shells, let them sit on top of the liquid instead of stirring. This ensures even cooking without sticking.
- Quick release pressure carefully – Since this recipe includes dairy, be cautious when releasing pressure to avoid any splattering.
- Use grated Parmesan – Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well, so opt for freshly grated Parmesan for the best creamy texture.
Customizing Your Pasta Recipe
One of the best things about instant pot recipes is their versatility. This dish can be easily modified based on dietary preferences or what you have in your kitchen.
- Make it spicy – Add red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage for extra heat.
- Go gluten-free – Substitute regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free shells.
- Lighten it up – Use turkey sausage instead of traditional pork sausage and swap heavy cream for half-and-half.
- Add extra veggies – While this dish includes spinach and tomatoes, you can throw in mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for more nutrition.
Pairing Ideas
This creamy sausage and shells dish is rich and satisfying on its own, but pairing it with the right side can enhance the experience. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette helps balance the creaminess, while garlic bread is perfect for scooping up the delicious sauce.
For a more Mediterranean twist, serve it with roasted vegetables or a side of marinated olives.
Why the Instant Pot Is a Excellent for Pasta Dishes
If you haven’t made pasta in an instant pot before, you’re in for a treat. The pressure cooking process helps infuse the noodles with flavor, something that’s hard to achieve in traditional boiling methods.
Additionally, cooking everything together in one pot reduces cleanup and ensures that every ingredient contributes to the overall taste.
Sausage and shells in the instant pot is the ultimate comfort food without the hassle. It’s creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
Instant Pot Sausage & Shells Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp ½ stick salted butter
- 2 large shallots diced
- 2 lbs Italian sausage sweet, hot, or mixed, casings removed and sliced into ½-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups chicken or garlic broth
- 1 cup dry white wine such as Chardonnay
- 1½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 10 oz cherry or grape tomatoes double for extra tomato flavor
- 1 lb medium pasta shells
- 5 oz baby spinach
- ⅓ cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
- 1 5.2-oz package Boursin cheese (any flavor) OR 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 14-oz can artichoke hearts, drained and torn by hand
Instructions
- Sauté Ingredients: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode on More or High. Melt the butter, then add shallots, sausage, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes, until the sausage is browned but not fully cooked.
- Add Liquids & Pasta: Pour in the broth, wine, Italian seasoning, and tomatoes, stirring to combine. Add the pasta but do not stir—just gently press it down to submerge in the liquid. Top with spinach, also without stirring (it will cook down significantly).
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and select Manual/Pressure Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes. Once done, use a Quick Release to release the pressure.
- Finish & Serve: Stir in cream, Parmesan, Boursin (or cream cheese), and artichokes until the cheese fully melts into the sauce. Let rest for 3-5 minutes to thicken. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For easier slicing, freeze sausage links for 5 minutes before cutting.
- For a thicker sauce, double the Boursin to two 5.2-oz packages or use a full 8-oz brick of cream cheese.
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.