15 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Weeknight Dinners

If you love meals that come together quickly without sacrificing flavor, this Instant Pot roundup is packed with winners. These recipes cover comforting classics, fun international flavors, and easy desserts that feel like a treat without the extra work. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting so you can enjoy tender meats, perfectly cooked noodles, and rich sauces in a fraction of the usual time. Whether you are looking for a cozy dinner or something new to mix up your weekly routine, you will find a recipe here that fits the bill.

Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi

A gray bowl filled with pasta topped with cooked shrimp and garnished with fresh parsley. — Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

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This bright and buttery shrimp scampi comes together in minutes. Garlic, lemon, and tender fettuccine create a light, restaurant style pasta that feels fancy without the work.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi

Instant Pot Smoked Mac and Cheese

Cheddar, smoked gouda, and crisp bacon make this mac and cheese rich, bold, and extra comforting. It cooks in just minutes and tastes like a smoky hug in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Smoked Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Low angle, closeup shot of spare ribs with hoisin glaze. — Instant Pot Spare Ribs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These spare ribs come out fall apart tender with a sweet and savory hoisin glaze. Finish them under the broiler, on the grill, or in the air fryer for extra caramelization.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Instant Pot Spicy Black Eyed Peas with Sausage

A white bowl filled with cooked black-eyed peas and chunks of meat, garnished with chopped green onions, sits on a yellow checkered cloth next to a spoon and an Instant Pot. — Instant Pot Spicy Black Eyed Peas with Sausage. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Andouille sausage and black eyed peas simmer together with herbs and spices for a hearty, comforting dish that is full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spicy Black Eyed Peas with Sausage

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

A bowl of gumbo with a mound of white rice in the center, placed on a light blue surface next to a folded gray and white patterned napkin. — Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Ham, andouille sausage, dried beans, and Cajun seasoning come together to create a comforting bowl of red beans and rice.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

A hand uses chopsticks to pick up noodles from a black bowl filled with stir-fried noodles, beef, carrots, bell peppers, and green vegetables. — Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Tender pork, crisp vegetables, and noodles soak up a savory sauce for a delicious meal that feels like takeout but cooks in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables

Plate of sliced cooked pork roast with gravy, served alongside chunks of potatoes and carrots, garnished with chopped parsley. — Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

This flavorful pork loin cooks to tender perfection along with hearty vegetables. It is an easy and satisfying dinner for any night.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

A bowl of creamy chicken chili with corn, beans, and tomatoes, topped with a dollop of sour cream and tortilla chips, with a spoon resting in the bowl. — Instant Pot White Chicken Chili. Photo credit: The Cookin Chicks.

Warm up your taste buds with this comforting Instant Pot White Chicken Chili made with tender chicken, creamy white beans, cream cheese, and spices. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends at home.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Instant Pot Pork Roast with Vegetables

A platter of sliced roast pork topped with gravy, served over roasted vegetables including carrots, potatoes, and celery, with a small bowl of gravy and a sprig of rosemary nearby. — Instant Pot Pork Roast with Vegetables . Photo credit: Chocolate Moosey.

Looking for a fast way to cook a small pork roast? Learn how to make Instant Pot Pork Roast with vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onion) and gravy. Makes 1 pound pork loin roast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Roast with Vegetables

Pressure Cooker Beer Braised Ham

A glazed ham garnished with rosemary sits on a white plate, surrounded by dried orange slices and decorative gourds on a marble surface. — Pressure Cooker Beer Braised Ham. Photo credit: Chenee Today.

The best beer-braised pressure cooker ham glazed with pineapple and brown sugar! Recipe includes your ham pressure cooker times and instructions for slow cooker ham as well, so read on!
Get the Recipe: Pressure Cooker Beer Braised Ham

Instant Pot Beef Burgundy

A bowl of beef stew with carrots and mushrooms served next to mashed potatoes, garnished with parsley, on a wooden board with forks and an Instant Pot in the background. — Instant Pot Beef Burgundy. Photo credit: Valerie’s Kitchen.

Instant Pot Beef Burgundy with tender chunks of beef, carrots, and mushrooms in a luscious gravy. Pressure cooking creates the best beef bourguignon in a fraction of the time of other methods. Rustic, flavorful and sure to impress!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Burgundy

Instant Pot Chuck Roast

A close-up of a spoonful of beef pot roast with mushrooms in a thick brown gravy, garnished with chopped herbs. — Instant Pot Chuck Roast. Photo credit: The Slow Roasted Italian .

This Beef Chuck Roast Instant Pot recipe is so simple and so flavorful — my two favorite things! It also makes a savory onion and mushroom sauce that can be thickened into an incredible gravy in minutes. It truly is the best ever Instant Pot roast beef recipe you’ll find!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chuck Roast

Instant Pot Turkey Soup

Three glass jars filled with homemade chicken noodle soup, containing shredded chicken, carrots, and herbs, with white lids on two jars. — Instant Pot Turkey Soup. Photo credit: Maple and Mango.

The perfect leftover turkey soup recipe! This easy Instant Pot Turkey Soup is a delicious way to put those Thanksgiving or holiday leftovers to work. Made with leftover turkey meat, broth from the turkey carcass and extra veggies and herbs. Recipe also includes stovetop instructions!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Soup

Instant Pot Balsamic Pepperoncini Pot Roast

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with beef in dark gravy and herbs, surrounded by side dishes of roasted Brussels sprouts and sliced carrots. — Instant Pot Balsamic Pepperoncini Pot Roast. Photo credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

The idea for this roast came from a vinaigrette dressing I made a few years back now. I had just a couple pepperoncini peppers leftover in the jar after making my Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad. And I was wondering what on earth I was going to do with them.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Balsamic Pepperoncini Pot Roast

Instant Pot Pork Ragu

A bowl of creamy polenta topped with meat ragu and grated cheese, garnished with rosemary, sits on a plate next to a red-and-white striped napkin. — Instant Pot Pork Ragu. Photo credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

Just like a full-flavored ‘Sunday sauce’ but in a fraction of the time, this Instant Pot Pork Ragu is a long-time favorite in our house. Meaty flavor with savory depth from the rosemary, this sauce is perfect tossed with pasta or spooned over polenta. It’s not necessarily traditional, but we also love this over risotto. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and freezer-friendly!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Ragu