Instant Pot Hay and Straw–linguine noodles with sliced ham, broccoli and a light creamy sauce. Made fast and easy in your pressure cooker!

Instant Pot Hay and Straw
You might be wondering what is hay and straw pasta? In Italian this dish is called Paglia e Fieno. It gets its name from yellow (yellow, the color of straw) and green fettuccine (green, the color of hay) that the dish is traditionally made from. This dish is usually made with peas and prosciutto. I chose to make my own version (of course) I used linguine, ham and broccoli. However you choose to make it (look at ingredient list for substitution ideas) you will love it!
This is a fast and easy Instant Pot dinner idea and can all be made in one pot! Do the one pot dinner dance! Look at all my other one pot Instant Pot dinners too.
Why use the Instant Pot to make Paglia e Fieno?
I love making pasta dishes in the Instant Pot. The reason?
- no waiting for a pot of water to boil
- no boiling over pasta water
- set it and forget it
- you can make this entire dish in one pot which means less cleaning up after dinner is over
Ingredients for Straw and Hay Pasta Recipe
- 1 tablespoon butter–or olive oil
- 1-2 cups julienned fully cooked ham–you can also use prosciutto or crispy cooked bacon
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth–or 2 ½ cups water and 2 ½ teaspoons Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
- 8 ounces linguine–another option is half spinach fettuccine and half regular fettucine
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 (12 oz) package frozen broccoli–or fresh broccoli florets or frozen peas.
- 1/3 cup heavy cream–or half and half or evaporated milk
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese–or half as much Pecorino Romano cheese

Instructions
- Saute ham (optional step): Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When the display says HOT add in 1 tbsp of butter and let melt. Add in the ham and saute for 2 minutes. Pour in 1 ½ cups of the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Strategically add in the pasta so it doesn’t stick when cooking: Break the linguine in half and scatter it in a criss cross pattern into the pot.
- Add in seasonings: Add in the onion powder, garlic, powder, thyme, pepper and mustard. Pour the remaining broth over the top.
- Pot in pot vegetables (optional step): Place a tall trivet into the pot. Pour the broccoli into a pot-in-pot dish. Place the dish on top of the trivet. You can also cook your vegetables a different way (on the stove or microwave) and skip this step.
- Pressure cook: Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 7 minutes. When time is up move the valve to venting and remove the lid.
- Add in dairy: Remove the broccoli pan. Stir the broccoli into the linguine. Stir in the cream and parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy: Scoop onto plates and serve. You can garnish with fresh parsley or other herbs, if desired.
Equipment
- 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot*
- Tall Trivet* (if cooking vegetables pot-in-pot)
- Pan* (for pot-in-pot cooking)
- Pasta server*

Can I make this on the stove?
Yes. Here’s how: Cook linguine according to package directions in a large pot over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, sauté ham in butter for 3 minutes. Add broccoli or peas; heat through. Drain linguine; toss with the ham mixture, add in seasonings, parmesan cheese and cream.
My Notes on this Recipe
I chose to cook my vegetables with the pot in pot method. If you add the peas or broccoli straight in with the pasta it will get way overcooked. By putting it in a pan on top of a tall trivet the vegetables cook at the same rate as the pasta. You can also choose to cook your vegetables another way if you don’t have a trivet and pot-in-pot dish and then just stir them in later.
More Instant Pot Recipes with Ham
- Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
- Instant Pot Dolly Parton’s Stone Soup
- I’m a Karen Casserole
- Instant Pot Mississippi Sin Dip
- Instant Pot Cheesy Ham Chowder


Instant Pot Hay and Straw
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Linguine noodles with sliced ham, broccoli and a light creamy sauce. Made fast and easy in your pressure cooker!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1–2 cups julienned fully cooked ham
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 ounces linguine
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 (12 oz) package frozen broccoli
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When the display says HOT add in the butter and ham and saute for 2 minutes. Pour in 1 ½ cups of the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Break the linguine in half and scatter it in a criss cross pattern into the pot.
- Add in the onion powder, garlic, powder, thyme, pepper and mustard. Pour the remaining broth over the top.
- Place a tall trivet into the pot. Pour the broccoli into a pot-in-pot dish. Place the dish on top of the trivet.
- Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 7 minutes. When time is up move the valve to venting and remove the lid.
- Remove the broccoli pan. Stir the broccoli into the linguine. Stir in the cream and parmesan cheese.
- Scoop onto plates and serve.
Notes
I chose to cook my vegetables with the pot in pot method. If you add the peas or broccoli straight in with the pasta it will get way overcooked. By putting it in a pan on top of a tall trivet the vegetables cook at the same rate as the pasta. You can also choose to cook your vegetables another way if you don’t have a trivet and pot-in-pot dish and then just stir them in later.
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
Want More Tried And True Instant Pot Recipes?
- Sign up to receive daily Instant Pot recipes (it’s FREE)
- Join the 365 Days of Instant Pot Recipes Facebook group
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel
- Buy the 365 Days of Pressure Cooking Cookbook


*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.
If I use the pot on top of a trivet, should I use the lid with the holes in it on top of that pot, or would that make the broccoli overcooked?
I think that would be okay!
Karen, this was delicious!! And super fast to put together. Only thing I changed was I added some mushrooms, only because we love them.
I also just microwaved the frozen broccoli in the bag it came in. EZ PZ & so yummy!
★★★★★
Good ideas! Love it!
Can I use a different pasta – penne or bowtie?
Yes you can. That would be great!
Quick and easy to make on a weeknight, thanks!
★★★★★
You’re welcome! Thanks for the 5 stars Liz!