Imagine a dish that combines the rich, velvety flavors of traditional Indian butter chicken (makhani) with the comfort of perfectly cooked pasta - all prepared in just 20 minutes using your Instant Pot! This revolutionary recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of India, without spending hours in the kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a restaurant-quality dish that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to make!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 can tomato puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by chopping the onion, mincing garlic, and measuring out spices and other components.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add butter and let it melt, then add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and slightly golden, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and garam masala to the onions. Stir quickly to prevent burning and cook for 30 seconds to release their aromatic flavors.
- Pour in tomato puree and heavy cream, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Season with salt to taste.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into the sauce, ensuring it's mostly submerged in the liquid. Gently stir to prevent pasta from sticking together.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook mode for 4-5 minutes, depending on pasta type.
- Once cooking completes, do a quick pressure release to prevent overcooking the pasta.
- Open lid and stir pasta. If sauce seems too thick, add a little water or cream to reach desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving hot.
Tips
- Choose the right pasta: Short pasta shapes like penne or rotini work best as they absorb sauce wonderfully and cook evenly in the Instant Pot.
- Don't skip the sautéing step: Properly caramelizing onions and toasting spices builds deep, complex flavors that make this dish extraordinary.
- Ensure proper liquid ratio: Make sure pasta is mostly submerged in sauce to guarantee even cooking and prevent burning.
- Quick release is key: Use quick pressure release to stop cooking precisely and prevent mushy pasta.
- Customize your heat: Adjust garam masala quantity to control spice level - start conservatively and add more if desired.
- Fresh garnish matters: The chopped cilantro isn't just decoration - it adds a fresh, bright note that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce.
- Serving suggestion: Pair with a side of naan bread or simple cucumber salad to complete your meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 90mg
