12 Instant Pot Dinners That Are Perfect for Busy Nights
Instant Pot meals are a lifesaver when dinner needs to happen fast but still taste like you put in the effort. These recipes cover a little bit of everything—from saucy comfort food to bold, crowd-pleasing flavors.
Whether you’re craving pasta, tacos, or takeout-style favorites, there’s something here that cooks quickly and hits the spot. Each one brings something unique to the table, without the fuss of stove-watching or oven juggling.
Instant Pot Barbacoa
This shredded beef barbacoa is bold and smoky with chipotle peppers, garlic, and lime juice. It’s perfect for tacos, bowls, or stuffed into burritos and freezes well, too.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Barbacoa
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Tender chicken simmers with bell peppers, tomatoes, and Italian herbs in a classic-style cacciatore sauce. This version uses boneless chicken thighs and comes together quickly with almost no prep.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Instant Pot Lasagna
This lasagna is layered right in the Instant Pot and uses no-boil noodles to keep things simple. It’s cheesy, saucy, and holds together surprisingly well straight out of the pot.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lasagna
BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
French bread gets topped with sweet and smoky BBQ chicken, melty cheese, and red onion for a fast meal or party snack. The chicken cooks in just 10 minutes and shreds easily.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
This takeout-style favorite has tender beef in a garlicky soy-based sauce with crisp-tender broccoli. It’s made with flank steak and thickens right in the pot using cornstarch.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Instant Pot Mojo Pork
Marinated in citrus juice, garlic, and spices, this mojo pork is packed with zesty flavor and shreds beautifully. It works well in sandwiches, tacos, or on its own with rice.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mojo Pork
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
This creamy chili skips the tomatoes and uses white beans, green chiles, and shredded chicken for a lighter twist. A bit of cream cheese makes it extra smooth and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings
Wings cook in just minutes and get tossed in a sticky BBQ glaze that finishes under the broiler. The recipe starts with a simple dry rub that builds flavor fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings
Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi
Garlicky shrimp and buttery noodles cook together in one pot in this fast seafood pasta. It uses broth and lemon juice to balance the richness without overwhelming the shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi
French Dip Sandwiches
Chuck roast simmers with onions, garlic, and beef broth until it’s fork-tender and perfect for piling onto rolls. It comes with a built-in dipping sauce made right in the pot.
Get the Recipe: French Dip Sandwiches
Instant Pot Orange Chicken
This orange chicken skips the frying but still delivers sticky, tangy flavor thanks to a quick sauce made with orange marmalade and soy sauce. It’s fast, easy, and goes great with rice.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Instant Pot Blackened Chicken Alfredo
This creamy alfredo gets a flavor boost from spicy blackened chicken and only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s a rich, filling meal that doesn’t skimp on the seasoning.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Blackened Chicken Alfredo
