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July 30, 2022

Instant Pot Monterey Spaghetti

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Instant Pot Monterey Spaghetti–creamy chicken (or turkey) spaghetti with lots of flavor from Monterey jack cheese, seasonings and french-fried onions. This recipe is going to instantly be a family favorite!

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Instant Pot Monterey Spaghetti

This is kind of like carbonara meets chicken tetrazzini meets green bean casserole. It’s really good. My whole family agreed that this is a “make again” recipe. It was creamy and cheesy and flavorful.

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

  • Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
  • Spaghetti–broken into 2 inch pieces
  • Spinach–I used fresh but you can also use frozen
  • Chopped, cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey–You can also use 1 pound raw chicken like chicken breasts or thighs that are cut into bite size pieces
  • Sour cream–or plain yogurt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Kosher salt–or half as much table salt
  • Black pepper
  • Egg
  • Grated or shredded parmesan cheese
  • Monterey jack cheese–shredded off the block is best
  • French-fried onions–I find these at the grocery store next to the green beans

Steps

  1. Layer in the ingredients: Pour broth into Instant Pot. Add the spaghetti in a criss-cross pattern. Dump the spinach and chicken on top. Don’t stir.
  2. Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. 
  3. Prepare sauce: While the food is pressure cooking stir the sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, pepper, egg and parmesan cheese together until smooth and creamy.
  4. Release pressure: When time is up on the Instant Pot let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.  
  5. Stir in creamy mixture: Stir in the sour cream mixture, Monterey jack cheese and 1 cup of the french-fried onions. 
  6. Bake or air fry: Sprinkle the remaining french-fried onions on top. If you have an air fryer lid, air fry for 3 minutes at 325 degrees. If you don’t have an air fryer lid you can scrape the mixture into a baking dish and bake with the crispy onions on top for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees.

Notes/Tips

  • Serve with roasted vegetables like broccoli or a side salad.
  • I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 8 quart pot. Halve the recipe in 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 french-fried onions are Instant Pot French Onion Broccoli Casserole, Instant Pot Crispy Cowboy Casserole or Instant Pot Cowboy Meatloaf Potato Casserole.

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More Recipes with Spaghetti…

  • Instant Pot Southern Chicken Spaghetti
  • Instant Pot Firefighter’s Spaghetti
  • Instant Pot Greek Spaghetti
  • Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Spaghetti

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.

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Instant Pot Monterey Spaghetti


★★★★★

4.5 from 11 reviews

  • Author: 365 Days of Slow and Pressure Cooking
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
  • Total Time: 19 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
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Description

Creamy chicken or turkey spaghetti with lots of flavor from Monterey jack cheese, seasonings and french-fried onions. This recipe is going to instantly be a family favorite!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 8 ounces spaghetti, broken into 2 inch pieces
  • 4 cups loosely packed spinach
  • 2 cups chopped, cooked rotisserie chicken or turkey (or 1 pound raw chicken, cut into bite size pieces)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1–2 cups (4–8 ounces) shredded Monterey jack cheese, depending how cheesy you like it
  • 2 cups french-fried onions, divided

Instructions

  1. Pour broth into Instant Pot. Add the spaghetti in a criss-cross pattern. Dump the spinach and chicken on top. Don’t stir.
  2. Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. 
  3. While the food is pressure cooking stir the sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, pepper, egg and parmesan cheese together until smooth and creamy.
  4. When time is up on the Instant Pot let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.  
  5. Stir in the sour cream mixture, Monterey jack cheese and 1 cup of the french-fried onions. 
  6. Sprinkle the remaining french-fried onions on top. If you have an air fryer lid, air fry for 3 minutes at 325 degrees. If you don’t have an air fryer lid you can scrape the mixture into a baking dish and bake with the crispy onions on top for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees.
  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Instant Pot

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45 Comments Filed Under: All Recipes, Chicken, Dump and Go, Instant Pot, Pasta

Recommendations

Comments

  1. Anna says

    January 28, 2023 at 5:06 pm

    I made this tonight and it was delicious! Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 30, 2023 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks for the 5 stars Anna!

      Reply
  2. Britt Schloemer says

    January 21, 2023 at 5:33 pm

    Any idea how to modify this for conventional cooking without an instant pot (ours just broke)?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 30, 2023 at 7:28 pm

      This is how I would do it:
      Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
      In a bowl stir together cooked spaghetti, spinach and chicken.
      Stir the sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, pepper, egg and parmesan cheese together until smooth and creamy.
      Stir in the sour cream mixture, Monterey jack cheese and 1 cup of the french-fried onions with the spaghetti.
      Spread the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
      Sprinkle the remaining french-fried onions on top.
      Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

      Reply
  3. JJ says

    January 15, 2023 at 7:07 pm

    A little bit too cheesy. I would use less cheese and more broth/sour cream. Wouldn’t recommend with Turkey. The flavours don’t quite jive.

    ★★

    Reply
  4. Tim Dunklin says

    January 15, 2023 at 2:57 pm

    Was not what I expected. Pasta was stuck and raw. Horrible. Gross. Not edible.

    Reply
  5. Valerie says

    January 14, 2023 at 5:44 pm

    I actually haven’t made this yet but could you use zucchini noodles? Fresh or frozen?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 16, 2023 at 1:17 pm

      I don’t think so. They would get way too mushy!

      Reply
  6. Jim Bob says

    January 12, 2023 at 2:49 pm

    Howdy Karen
    This is Jim Bob: A couple of weeks ago I fixed Instant pot “Monterey Spaghetti”, a friend came to over, he liked it so much, I heard that he suggested bringing Instant Pot “Monterey Spaghetti” to the next church potluck. Several people said it was a “great Idea” … each selected a different recipe. Now (to me) that sounds like the beginning of some fun and good eating. Up till today the potluck favorites are mostly family favorites recipes … some are considered pretty good, some are very good, now we will have a new category of WOW. Thank again Karen.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Kim Porter says

    December 8, 2022 at 10:39 am

    Loved this recipe! I used fresh chicken, freshly grated pepper jack cheese, and 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan/Asiago blend. I didn’t have an air fryer lid and didn’t want to bake the pasta (felt it may dry it out), so I just topped the bowls of pasta with the extra crispy onions and served. Will definitely make again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 8, 2022 at 8:48 pm

      Thanks Kim for the 5 stars!

      Reply
  8. Gabbie says

    December 2, 2022 at 9:11 am

    Love this recipe. My grandkids come over for dinner at the last minute and ask for this dish. I always have a bag of rotisserie chicken that I picked off the bones and froze so I can quickly throw this together!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 2, 2022 at 12:38 pm

      You’re a good grandma!! Thanks for the 5 stars 🙂

      Reply
  9. Laura Cameron says

    November 29, 2022 at 12:19 am

    Most pot recipes do not appeal to me, meh at best. I jokingly call it my ‘ corn beef’ cooker as that is the only thing I have found that is better in the pot. Recently added pot roast to that list and now this recipe- it was a hit! It has the carbonara vibe ( a dish we love in our house) and it is very tasty. Only advice I would give is more broth, perhaps after the pressure cook so you can get the amount right. Once I added the cream and the cheese it was very thick and seized up a bit. I think warm broth added at the end would produce more of a sauce.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 29, 2022 at 11:03 am

      Yes! good tip on the broth! Thanks!

      Reply
  10. June Leathers says

    November 26, 2022 at 2:05 pm

    Can this receipe be done in a slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 28, 2022 at 7:01 pm

      I haven’t tried this one in a slow cooker. I’m skeptical on how the noodles would turn out.

      Reply
  11. Kim B. says

    November 25, 2022 at 12:55 pm

    Gobble! Gobble! Perfect recipe for today. Will whole wheat spaghetti work? Same time?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 28, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      Yes same time! should be great

      Reply
  12. Amy says

    October 15, 2022 at 9:06 pm

    Maybe we’re wusses but that’s too much garlic for us. Next time we’re going to use 1/2 a tap and see how it goes.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      October 21, 2022 at 9:47 pm

      Okay good to know! It was fine for us but we are garlic lovers.

      Reply
  13. Emily says

    October 9, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    I’m trying to prep more freezer meals while I have a little time. Would this be a good meal to cook fully (except the air fryer step at the end) and then freeze later to reheat?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      October 11, 2022 at 11:33 am

      I think that it would work!

      Reply
    • Kim says

      December 7, 2022 at 7:01 pm

      Emily, I was just wondering the same thing! Did you freeze it? If so how’ did it come out?

      Reply
  14. Linda H says

    September 28, 2022 at 6:55 pm

    Very nice and easy, cheesy. I only had about 1/4 cup of sour cream so I added Boursin. That added a bunch of flavor. I only had mozzarella and Parmesan so used that. Versatile recipe and done in minutes! Try Boursin if you make it! Maybe 1/2 and 1/2 ratio.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 30, 2022 at 12:28 pm

      good idea on the Boursin!!! will have to try that

      Reply
  15. Cathy D. says

    September 10, 2022 at 4:58 am

    The recipe sounds delicious but we do not like spinach. Would I add more chicken broth to compensate for the loss of moisture by not adding spinach?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 12, 2022 at 1:57 pm

      Nah, it’s okay you don’t need to add more liquid. Should be fine!

      Reply
  16. Chris says

    September 4, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Quick and easy. My hubby said he really liked it (I’m trying to diet and only had a taste) and asked me to put more spinach and add some fresh mushrooms! Thanks for the recipe!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 6, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      I love the idea of more spinach and mushrooms!

      Reply
  17. Lance Leach says

    August 11, 2022 at 6:07 pm

    Fantastic! Definitely has a spot in the rotation.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 12, 2022 at 11:02 am

      Thank you so much Lance!

      Reply
  18. Chris D says

    August 5, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    Made this last night, it was delicious! I’ll make it again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 12, 2022 at 12:13 pm

      Thanks for the 5 stars Chris!

      Reply
  19. Mark G. says

    August 4, 2022 at 8:20 am

    I have the 8qt duocrisp. If I make this in the regular pot, can I put the air fryer lid on without using the sir fryer liner or will that damage the stainless steel pot?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 5, 2022 at 8:52 am

      I use an air fryer lid on top of my stainless steel liner and it works great

      Reply
      • Jeanie Ahrens says

        January 3, 2023 at 9:18 am

        Jeanie

        Reply
  20. Kris says

    August 2, 2022 at 5:19 am

    Do you adjust the time if using raw chicken?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 2, 2022 at 9:16 am

      No you will keep the same time for raw chicken. Just make sure it is cut into bite size pieces

      Reply
  21. Karen says

    August 1, 2022 at 4:27 pm

    Would additional liquid be required if using ziti instead of spaghetti noodles?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 2, 2022 at 9:24 am

      No, as long as you use the same amount it will be the same liquid.

      Reply
  22. Katie says

    July 30, 2022 at 2:56 pm

    In a carbonara, the residual heat from the pasta cooks the eggs. But it becomes more of a sauce. I believe that’s what’s going on here. I can’t wait to make this!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 1, 2022 at 9:27 am

      Yes that’s right!

      Reply
  23. Marcia Weber says

    July 30, 2022 at 2:39 pm

    Hi, I’m just curious about the egg being uncooked. Did I miss a step?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 1, 2022 at 9:27 am

      Like Katie said, the residual heat from the pasta cooks the egg.

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

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