Instant Pot Dude Pasta–bowtie pasta with Italian sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach. A flavorful dinner that comes together quickly with the help of your Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Dude Pasta
Today’s recipe comes from Paula Deen Dude’s Pasta. Of course my version is changed up a bit and made in the Instant Pot instead of on the stove. This pasta has lots of flavor thanks to the Italian sausage. Plus it has tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach to help you get in some veggies for the day. The unique addition of nutmeg added just a little bit of something different than normal. I was skeptical but actually I ended up loving it. The dudes (and dudettes) in my house loved this dinner and I think you will too!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Ground Italian sausage
- Onion
- Mushrooms–I used white button mushrooms
- Chicken broth–or beef broth
- Garlic powder–or 1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
- Bowtie pasta–or penne pasta
- Petite diced tomatoes–or crushed tomatoes
- Spinach–fresh or frozen
- Heavy cream
- Cornstarch
- Ground nutmeg
- Parmesan cheese
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the sausage and break up. Brown for about 5 minutes. Add in the onions and mushrooms and saute for about 3 minutes.

Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking.

Add in the garlic powder, sprinkle in the pasta,

Dump in the tomatoes.

Dump in the spinach. Don’t stir.

Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.

In a small bowl whisk together the cream and cornstarch together until smooth. Add in about a quarter cup of the hot liquid from the Instant Pot into the slurry. Pour the slurry into the Instant Pot. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting and once the sauce has thickened turn off the pot.
Stir in the ground nutmeg and serve topped with parmesan cheese.

Notes/Tips
- Serve with a green salad and garlic bread.
- I like to use this meat chopper tool* when I cook ground meats. I also use it to mash potatoes.
- You can use lots of different types of pasta for this recipe. Some choices are penne, shells, macaroni and even linguine.
- My box of penne had 12 ounces. If you use a 16 ounce box of pasta you’ll need to increase the broth to 4 cups instead of 3 cups.
- You can use fresh or frozen spinach. You’ll use the same cooking time either way. If you’re not a fan of the green stuff you can leave it out.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in an 8 quart pot. You can halve the recipe for the 3 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with spinach are Straight Out Of Heaven Casserole and Instant Pot Monterey Spaghetti.

More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes To Love…
Instant Pot Chicken Supreme Pasta
An easy dump and go recipe for pasta with chicken, vegetables, pepperoni cheese and a creamy yogurt sauce.
Instant Pot “Pink” Pasta
When you combine a white sauce and a red sauce you get a sauce with pink-ish tint. And it is delicious! You’re going to love this super fast and easy pasta dinner.
Instant Pot Cheesecake Factory Da Vinci Pasta
Mushroom and chicken penne pasta with a tangy and creamy sauce.
Instant Pot Fireman’s Pasta
Penne pasta with chicken, bruschetta, spinach, garlic and parmesan cheese. A simple recipe with amazing flavor!
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.


Instant Pot Dude Pasta
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Bowtie pasta with Italian sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach. A flavorful dinner that comes together quickly with the help of your Instant Pot.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup diced onion
- 8 ounces sliced or chopped mushrooms
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 (12 oz) box bowtie pasta
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 2–3 cups spinach
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the sausage and break up. Brown for about 5 minutes. Add in the onions and mushrooms and saute for about 3 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking.
- Add in the garlic powder, sprinkle in the pasta, dump in the tomatoes, dump in the spinach. Don’t stir.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- In a small bowl whisk together the cream and cornstarch together until smooth. Add in about a quarter cup of the hot liquid from the Instant Pot into the slurry. Pour the slurry into the Instant Pot. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting and once the sauce has thickened turn off the pot.
- Stir in the ground nutmeg and serve topped with parmesan cheese.
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Hubby said it is a 10 after the first bite! I added it to our favorite recipes binder.
★★★★★
Wow what a compliment! Thanks!
This was yummy I made it with ground sirloin very easy to make also at the end I added a little bit of cream cheese ty Karen
★★★★★
yum! love that!
This is now our new favorite, and it was so easy and fast.
Good job, Karen!!
★★★★★
Good job to YOU! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
This was so good! I added 1/2 cup of red lentils and 1 1/2 cups of liquid and it turned out amazing. I added the lentils because growing up my parents used to make lentils and sausage and put it over pasta.
I love lentils! Good tip!
Another successful dish!! Fastast to put together with delicious results. I doubled it and still have leftovers for my grazing family. Thank you!
★★★★★
Thanks so much for the 5 stars Karin!
what vegetable can be used other than. spinach
kale? broccoli florets (added after)?
What pasta would you recommend in place of the Bow Tie?
★★★★★
penne works well
Thanks Karen …. I’ll give Penne a try.
★★★★★