Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo, with chicken, or without, is a dump it all in and push start type of recipe. Pressure cooker Fettuccine Alfredo is creamy, rich, and delicious one-pot, easy pasta dinner!
Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
I have made my share of Fettuccine Alfredo meals on the stove top. There is nothing like it. But if you want to make it one-pot style in your pressure cooker, then my Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo recipe is a great recipe to try. You can even add chicken.
Paul loves Fettuccine Alfredo, and orders it pretty much every time we go out to dinner, if it is on the menu. I like the option of making it for him at home, as it is so much cheaper, and maybe he will want to try something else. Doubtful!
If you want to add chicken, just lay the chicken pieces over the noodles and season them, and away you go.
The pasta will look a little watery when you first open the pot, but let it sit a few minutes and soak up the sauce. It will thicken as it cools as well.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Watch me make Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken:
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If you make this delicious pressure cooker fettuccine Alfredo, please let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d like to know how you liked it!
Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, or without, is a dump it all in and push start type of recipe.
- 3 Tbsp Butter, cut in a few small pieces
- 4 lg cloves Garlic, pressed/minced (or 1 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder)
- 2 cups Chicken Broth, low sodium
- 1 1/4 cups Heavy Cream, divided
- 1/2 tsp Salt (or more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 8 oz Fettuccine Noodles, broken in half (weigh the pasta if you can)
- 1 lb Chicken Breasts, uncooked cut in half crossways (chicken is optional)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
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Place the butter and garlic in the pot.
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Pour in the chicken broth and 1 cup of the heavy cream.
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Sprinkle in the fettuccine noodles, in a random pattern, and gently press them down.
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If Adding Chicken: Add the chicken, and space evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
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Press down on the mixture to submerge as many of the noodle as possible. Then place the lid on the pot, lock in place, and set the steam release knob to Sealing position.
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Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- to select 6 minutes (7 minutes for a softer noodle). After the cook cycle has finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 5 minutes (5 minute natural release).
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Manually release the remaining pressure in short bursts so no sauce spews out with the steam. When the pin in the lid drops, Carefully open the lid.
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Remove the chicken and give the pasta mixture a good stir. It may be a little soupy, but it will thicken up.
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Shred the chicken and add back into the pot.
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Add the grated parmesan and stir it in. If it's still a little too thin, just add a little more parmesan. If too thick, add the reserved heavy cream.
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Place the lid back on, vented, and let the pasta sit for a few minutes to thicken up.
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Serve with some nice bread and a salad.
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This is a great recipe! The quantities are perfect. I used Whole Milk instead of the heavy creme, to reduce the calories. Thus, I added a little Wondra Flour to thicken it up at the end. I also added 1 Tbl of Basil, and 1/4 tsp of Cayenne pepper. Then it tasted like the one I cook on the stove, which takes so much time, and requires way too many pots. Thanks for the great recipe!
Hi Terry, I’m happy that you liked this recipe! The changes you made sound good, while still keeping the essence of this recipe! Thank you so much for your review, and the tips! I appreciate it!
Hi Sandy,
Are you using 1lb Boneless breasts or bone in?
Thank you! I’m making this today for my daughter’s family. She just had my 1st grandbaby! It’s a boy!
Diane
I am using boneless/skinless.
Yay! CONGRATULATIONS on your very first grandson!!!! What a thrill! Hope your daughter enjoyed the meal…what a good mama you are! Awww, babies are the best!! ♡
I’ve made this recipe, and I, too, felt the sauce could be thicker—otherwise, it was delicious. How much flour did you use?
Hi Pamela, I don’t use flour in this dish. You can use extra parmesan to thicken it, or use a little less liquid. Also, make sure you are using the full amount of pasta. I weigh mine to be sure.
Hi- can this recipe be doubled? Would I need to adjust certain infredient quantities? To make for more people rather than just doubling each ingredient? Thank you!
Hi Cynthi, you should be able to double it and not adjust any quantities. Just be really careful when you do the quick release as the starch and sauce will try to spew out with the steam. Be sure to do a controlled release in smaller bursts until you are sure there will not be any issue.
Thank you for the quick response!
If you double it do you cook longer?
No, just make sure it all fits.
So if I do a pound of noodles, I can do 4 cups of broth and it won’t be too watery?
Yes, that’s the ratio I normally use. You can thin it with milk or half and half if it gets too thick.
This is such an easy recipe, with delicious results! This is the best Fettuccine Alfredo we have made, and my first pasta dish made in the Instant Pot. I did decide to thicken the sauce a bit at the end, which actually might have not been necessary. Now I want to try some of your other recipes. Thanks!
Hi Samantha! I’m so glad you liked this Alfredo! My hubby is hooked on it, lol! Thank you for your review!
Yep, my hubby is also the reason I keep on making it! lol. He specifically asks for it every week or so. We also like to add broccoli after the release is complete and let it sit for a few minutes. Thanks again, Sandy. 🙂
When adding chicken is this already cooked or chicken?
Hi Ambar, it is uncooked. You’ll want larger than bite sized chunks so it doesn’t overcook (or just cut chicken breasts in half. Not lengthwise, just straight down, if that makes sense!), and it will be just right! If you want to add cooked chicken, just add it at the end. Stir it in and let it sit a couple minutes to heat through.
Can chicken be frozen
Yes it can!
How long for frozen chicken? 🙂
Same amount of time, as long as it’s cut.
I made this roday, but I veganized it! Vegan butter, veggie broth, Rippple cream and Follow Your Heart Parmesan cheese. Then I added fresh spinach from my garden. It was delicious!
Is it okay to add shrimp to this recipe? If so, will I need to make any adjustments to the time or recipe?
Hi Mei, if you use large shrimp, you can keep the cook time the same. If you have smaller shrimp, I would add them after cooking, and put the lid on and let the steam cook them.
Can I add fresh veggies (Broccoli, carrots & cauliflower), or would that make it too watery? Better to do them 1st or last separately?
Thanks! Diane
I think fresh veggies would be great in this. It is rather thick, so a little extra water shouldn’t hurt it. I suppose it would depend on which veggies you want to use. Broccoli cooks in the IP in 0 to 1 minute, so it may come out too soft. Carrots would do well, cut into slightly larger than bite-sized chunks.
If I want to and crab should I do any adjustments?
If still in the shell, remove the crab meat from the shell first. Then I would stir it in after pressure cooking, and cover pot with a glass lid so the crab can cook from the residual heat. Sounds delicious!
Hello.
I plan to double on this recipe because I want left overs for a family of four. I plan to cook this without chicken. Should I double the cooking time as well? Your receipe asks for 6 mins if you want the noodles to be soft, so I was planning to increase it to 12 mins on manual. Is that correct? And is it ok to double the recipe or change something?
I wouldn’t double the time, but add 2 minutes. You may want to add a little more broth or cream after pressure cooking if you like a saucier result.
I broke my arm and had surgery 10 days ago with pins and plate put in OWIE. Nevertheless, between me, hubby and 83 yo mom who lives with us (of which noth are banned dads from MY kitchen in normal circumstances lol) thus, I cant shred my parm and have 1/2&1/2 but no heavy cream right now (hubby has to drive me to store and push cart and is SO NOT LOVING SHOPPING LOL) THUS I get bare min and get out. Cant whisk well yet either. Thus I succumbed to some jarre dad alfredo sauce I will “doctor” up with basil, oregano, garlic, etc and if I can get mom or DH to shred the lard, will add some of that. Hence my question, CDC an I cheat and use your recipe with. Jarred sauce (see guilt here) for timing and add in ideas? Ever made fettuccine alfredo with chicken in IP using jarred sauce? Add water?
Oh Karen, that sucks! Okay, I haven’t used it, but I think what I would do is layer it. Broth, cream, chicken, pasta, and the sauce on top, but don’t stir it.
It was awesome and delish! Thanks!
Another great meal, thanks so much!! 5 stars
Hi Christopher! I’m happy you liked this one! Thanks for the review, and have a great day!
This recipe was AMAZING! My 3 year old inhaled it! I only changed the noodles to gluten free due to an allergy and used a compound butter (garlic, basil, & Parmesan) instead of plan butter. Thank you for the wonderful recipe, my family will make it for many years to come!
That’s awesome, Sherry! I’m happy that you and your little one liked this recipe! Thank you for your review!
Hi There! I plan on making this for a friend who just had a baby. If I make it Thursday and bring it Friday, will it hold up okay or will it dry out? Suggestions
Though it reheats pretty well, it is so much better about 5 minutes after it is finished cooking. If you do give it to her the next day, instruct her to add a little milk or cream when reheating.
Can I use alfredo sauce in a jar instead of heavy cream
Try layering in over the pasta but don’t stir it. After cooking, you can thin it with broth or milk/cream if you need to.
I made this for the first time tonight and followed the recipe exactly. It looks like the cream curdled. Has anyone else had this happen? Any suggestions on why or what I might do differently? I am using an Instant Pot Duo-60. Thanks
Hi Alissa, I’ve never had that happen. Did you use heavy cream? That’s what works, otherwise you have to add it at the end.
Had this happen with Half and Half. Just add some more liquids and stir in the Parmesan and it all smooths out perfectly.
I find that adding any dairy while cooking ends with it curdling thus, I add the dairy products after it is finished cooking, then turn it to saute and it produces the creamy sauce that I want!
Higher fat dairy (stabilized) works. Regular milk may curdle.
I had issues with Burn and had to open up and stir twice. I think the bottom metal wire piece should be left in to prevent the noodles touching the bottom.
I don’t think the rack would help, but being sure to layer as I show is how you keep it from burning. Also using the proper amount of liquid and pasta, so the liquid doesn’t get all soaked up.
I’m glad I found your recipe ( from a post on Reddit). My son loves pasta Alfredo. How should I adjust the cooking time if I used fresh pasta?
If using fresh pasta, and adding the chicken, cook for the written time, then after pressure cooking toss the pasta in, stir, put a lid on it and let the heat from the sauce cook the pasta. If not using chicken, cook for 1 minute if the pasta is really soft. Maybe even 0 minutes (sorry, I haven’t actually tried it. Sounds delicious!).
I can only find Heavy Whipping Creaming locally, not plain heavy cream. I read that they differ.. is it okay to use heavy whipping cream instead?
Yes, I use them both interchangeably.
If I use dark chicken meat, do I need to increase the cooking time? Also, based on comments here, here’s another question. I’d like to make it during my poker game, unless it takes me away from the poker table for too long. 🙂 . If I do all the mise en place ahead of time, how much time, realistically, will I spend by the pot, until it’s completely ready to serve? I have the Ultra 8 qt.
As long as you cut the meat to the slightly larger than bite size pieces, the cook time will remain the same. You will add all of the ingredients to the pot, then push start and stay with the pot until you confirm it reached pressure (5 to 10 minutes). Then it will cook, and when it beeps you come back to it and release the pressure in a controlled fashion so it doesn’t spew sauce (about 3-4 minutes). Then stir in the parmesan, and wait for 3-5 minutes before serving so it can thicken (unless it is thick enough for you without waiting).
So i have a 2 quart crock pot and I was wondering how would I go around trying to cook hamburger helper fettuccine Alfredo in it
I have never tried this, perhaps someone else will see this and chime in.
I’m assuming you’re using dried pasta noodles with this. Was wondering what (if any changes) I should make if using fresh made egg noodles.
I would add them last, after pressure cooking.
Amazing and super easy to follow!!
That’s great, Ivonne! Thank you!
OMG. Just bought an InstantPot for myself for Christmas as I was looking for ways to make quick meals at home. This was 1st recipe I made and it turned out amazing. Great flavor. Made exactly as per recipe. Cant wait to try more of your recipes and get cooking with this great machine!. No more store bought Alfredo to warm up at home. Thanks
That’s awesome!
I love the taste and everything about this recipe but what do you suggest I should remove to make it a tiny bit less saucy? And still make sure the pasta and chicken are cooked?
Just make sure you weigh the pasta so the ratio of pasta to water is correct. Let the fettuccine sit a few minutes after cooking.
I made this exactly like the recipe (with chicken and the 7 minute suggestion for softer noodles) and it was delicious. My kids can be a hard crowd to please but they devoured it. The sauce was plenty thick – I wouldn’t change a thing. We will make this recipe many times again. Thank you so much for sharing!
That’s wonderful! Thank you!
Question
My hubby asked why not just add a jar of classico Italian sauce. Maybe he’ll listen to a guru like you. Thanks
You need the thin liquid to bring the pot to pressure. Also, some of those jarred sauces taste nasty and have ingredients I don’t care for. It’s also easier.
If you have a jarred sauce that you like, I would layer it like this: Chicken first, then garlic/spices, then pasta, broth/water, then the sauce over the top, covering the pasta but not stirred as it will thicken the sauce too much. Then pressure cook. I would do a test batch first to be sure you had the right amount of thin liquid. About 1 cup per 4 oz of pasta.
I made this last night. Awesome! Did a few minor additional things. I saute the garlic in the butter first. it was a little too thin for me so I added much more Parmesan and thickened with a bit of cornstarch. So so good and very easy.
I like to make my alfredo sauce with cream cheese. Any suggestions on when to add this? Maybe in the end?
Either beginning or end. Just stir it really well until it becomes smooth.
Cream cheese INSTEAD of parmesan? Please tell me how you do it and how much to use! pretty please, lol?
Hi Rose! Cream cheese is magical in the IP! You can cook it with everything else, then stir it well when you open the pot. Or, add it at the end and stir well. You can use a whole 8 oz block, but I would start with 4 oz and see how you like it!
Thank you for this easy to make recipe. This dish is very tasty and I don’t get the burn error like I have with other recipes. YAY!!!
OH MY GOODNESS! This is hands down the best Alfredo I’ve ever made! The only adjustments I made were I used Penne noodles and set the time for 8 mins instead of 7 mins! This is my go to Pasta recipe from now on! Thank you!
Thank you, Shannon! I’m very glad to know how much you liked this Alfredo recipe!
I love ordering white wine cream sauce on my pasta as a treat. Any thoughts on if one could use some white wine in this recipe and if so, how much to add or substitute?
Sounds good! I would try substituting 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the broth with wine and see how you like it.
This recipe looks great! Is it possible to make it in the 3qt Instant Pot Mini?
Hi Marie, I haven’t tried, but I think it will fit.
I used to use Alfredo from the jar which has a weird after taste to me. I love love love this recipe! It’s delicious and super easy! Definitely a can favorite in my house!
WOW!! …. I made this last night. I doubled the recipe and added 2 mins to the cook time and it was absolutely amazing. Very tasty!!
I just have to say THANK YOU! This is literally one of the best home made chicken Alfredo’s I’ve had and it’s sooo freaking easy. I use quite a bit of Parmesan cause I like a thicker sauce and I cook the garlic in the butter a bit before adding the chicken stock.
I haven’t made Alfredo in years because my husband always says it’s not as good as somebody else’s we’ve had so I stopped trying because he was right. Instead I was always buying premade Alfredo and heating it up. This is actually faster, serves more and is 10000x better. Thanks!
That’s great, Darren! I’m so glad this recipe worked for you, and that it is hubby approved!
Great recipe. Thank you for sharing! My family loved this. I cut the chicken broth to 1.5 cups and used the whole 4 oz. container of shredded parm. I did weigh my noodles, Thanks for that suggestion in the comments. When I added the parm, I also put in a couple cups of chopped broccoli. Stirred everything up, put the lid back on (machine was off) for 6 or 7 min. Broccoli turned out perfect and the pasta, sauce snd chicken were AMAZING.
Oh my goodness! I made this tonight and it was totally amazing!!!! It’s the best meal I’ve cooked in my Instant Pot since I got it 2 months ago and I’ve been using it almost daily. I used half the amount of pasta because I am cooking for one and kept all the other measurements the same. It came out a bit too wet (but it didn’t stop me thoroughly enjoying it!). What advice would you give to make this for one person? Use half the chicken stock?
Hi Alwyn, I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! If you make half the amount, just cut the recipe in half.
That’s great Sandy. Thanks for the fast reply!
Do I need to adjust anything if I use 10 oz of bowtie noodles instead of fettuccine?
I cook my bowties for 5 minutes, 4 minutes for al dente. As long as the pasta is the same weight, it should be fine!
Accidentally put parmigian cheese in the beginning will this destroy it
No, but it may give you the burn message. Just open it and stir really well and try again.
I really enjoyed this recipe! I think if you follow the directions exactly, it’s really not too soupy after the mozzarella is added and it’s given a few minutes to thicken. Only thing I added were garlic salt, basil, and oregano.. Enjoyed this instant pot recipe. Thanks!
This looks delicious and I plan to make it on Friday. As I am vegetarian and love mushrooms in my pasta could I add them and cook them in the same time advised in your recipe?
Yes. It is hard to overcook a mushroom, so add them!
If you are using “nested” fettuccine noodles, do you still have to break them?
Thanks!
Hi Kim, no, breaking them is just to make them fit in the pot.
Thank you!!
Thank you for your quick response!
Love this recipe!
I double the recipe, add 2 cups of frozen peas and 2 cups of thawed tail off prawns.
The prawns just melt in your mouth!
I am going to try this in my 3 qt. Mini. Halve the ingredients (including the chicken) but keep time the same? Also, just bought the ceramic pot from Instant Pot’s website. Do you think this would keep the dreaded “BURN” away?
First of all, I love that ceramic pot! It will help with the burn error, but layering the ingredients will help more, as will measuring the pasta and keeping the same ratio of liquid to pasta. Keep the cook time the same.
Thank you so much for the advice!
Hi Sandy,
Made this last evening as the weather turned a little cold&wet.
Yummy, yummy!
Used my IP mini, ceramic pot., half recipe.
No chicken or chicken broth, just plain water.
Also added a little nutmeg as I always do in cream sauces.
Sauted up some marsala mushrooms & added in at end along with some peas.
Perfect comfort food.😋
Thanks for the recioe.
Excellent recipe …. now, how do you recommend reheating as the recipe made way too much foe one person 🤗
Reheat on low in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add a little milk if needed. I’m glad you liked it!
Delicious!! Came out perfectly, I made it without the chicken and added 1/4 tsp nutmeg. Will never make fettuccine any other way!! Thank You!
Does cooking time change if using gluten free pasta? Any other options aside from chicken broth if trying to make this vegetarian style? Vegetable broth? Thanks!
Generally, you will cook the pasta for half the recommended time that the package directions say.
Can you use gluten free noodles instead?
I haven’t tries it. If you do, cook for 1/2 the time the package says. Since every GF pasta is different, made from different things, it’s a test and taste situation.
how do i double the recipe for 7 people?
Double the ingredients, but keep the cook time the same.
Five stars
Terrific
Made tonight, sauce was a little
thin. Added more Parmesan. After it sat 7 mins or more it thickened
Thank you
Hi, this looks yummy and I want to try it with my new instant pot but am afraid to do the fast release lol. Can i just wait until it releases naturally or will that overcook the pasta?
It will overcook the pasta. You can do a controlled quick release where you release the steam in bursts until the pressure isn’t so strong. Just use a spoon handle or wear an oven mitt if you are concerned.
This is a fantastic recipe for the instant pot…much easier and less babysitting.
In the video you show the chicken just cut in half, then shredded when done, but in the recipe you say to cut the chicken before cooking. Which is preferable? Thanks.
I actually prefer cutting the breast in half crossways as it doesn’t overcook that way. I have updated the recipe.
Hello I just made this and it came out to Parmesan And salty not creamy at all what did I do wrong??
Maybe your broth wasn’t low sodium?
This recipe was a disaster for me! Kept getting the burn food message on my instant pot😡. What should have been a quick cooking time turned into 1 and a half hours. Ended up having to nuke it because it was all mixed together by then . Not sure I want to try again!
Oh no! I wish I could help. Without knowing exactly what you did and the details, I’m at a loss. I’m so sorry it didn’t work for you. Did you by chance watch my video?
This was perfection! I can’t believe this fettuccine tastes better than my old recipe with way less work and was done in a fraction of the time. I wanted to use things on hand so went with powdered garlic AND parmesan cheese. I also cooked for 9 minutes because I was making 16 oz of pasta and used 1.5 times the other ingredients. I can wait to try your other recipes! Wasn’t able to add 5 stars for some reason.
This recipe was so easy and quick, but came out delicious following the recipe as is. The only suggestion I have is to put salt, pepper and garlic powder on the chicken on one side prior to adding to the instapot. Yummy recipe though!!!
I followed the instructions, but my noodles still weren’t cooked all the way. Would adding an extra two or three minutes fix this problem?
Hi, yes, I think that or letting it sit for a couple of minutes before opening. You can also use the sauté setting to further cook them after pressure cooking. Not knowing what happened, here are a few tips: Be sure to weigh/measure the pasta and liquids so there is the right amount of pasta to liquid ratio. If using a different type of pasta the cook time may vary.
Hey! I make this and the meatball one all of the time, but today I am stumped! I have a 24 oz bag of elbow macaroni noodles and I can’t figure out the right measurements for everything else. I have an 8 qt instant pot. I might add a can of chicken or two at the end I don’t know yet lol. The virus has the shelves empty of all pasta, I happened to buy this a long time ago. If 24 oz of Mac noodles is too much what is the best way to measure them to double the recipe? Help!
Okay, if you look at my mac and cheese recipe, I tell you the measurements. You can add cooked meat at the end.
So you wouldn’t recommend making the Alfredo with these noodles? We have plenty of Mac n cheese I really wanted to make the Alfredo again but I’m struggling with the measurements since it’s a 24 oz bag.
3 cups of liquid for 24 oz of pasta.
I want to say thank you! Any time I see a person saying that they can’t make spaghetti in an instant pot I give them this website and tell them it’s always perfect!! I am still trying to figure out the other measurements but I do understand what you mean now by referring me to the Mac n cheese for the noodle measurements. It’s chaos here and I didn’t understand at first. : )
Oh good, Jessie. I am glad that helped you. Thank you for your referrals, and please let me know if you ever have other questions!
So I can use spaghetti as it’s the only pasta available. Does the recipe stay the same. I am also using half and half. Thank you so much
Yes, you can use any pasta. The cook time may need to be adjusted for the type of pasta you are using. Try half the time on the package directions.
This is delicious! The only thing we did different was add some mozzarella as my daughter doesn’t love parm that much. Great recipe! Thank you Sandy
Made this before and it was delicious but for the life of me I don’t see in the recipe how much parmesan is supposed to be added. I must have figured it out last time but how much parmesan is supposed to be in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup, but you can add more or less to your taste.
Can I use shrimp?
Sure!
My friend recommended this to me and I made a double recipe expecting to have leftovers, but my two teenage boys devoured it, excellent recipe sooooooooooo tasty.