Check out our recipe for Ninja Foodi Pasta- How to perfectly cook any type of pasta in the Ninja Foodi!
Yes, pasta is pretty quick and easy to cook on the stovetop. But, it’s even quicker and easier to cook in your Ninja Foodi using the pressure cooker function.
When you cook your pasta in the Ninja Foodi, there is no waiting around for a pot of water to boil, no checking to see if the pasta is done cooking, and no chance that the water will boil over the pot! Instead, when you make your pasta in the Ninja Foodi, you can walk away from the pot and return to perfectly cooked pasta every time, regardless of the type of pasta! This recipe is for any type of dried pasta.
Regardless of the type of pasta, the formula for getting perfectly cooked pasta is the same. If you follow the SECRET FORMULA, you will quickly become the pasta cooking expert in your home!
Tips for making Ninja Foodi Pasta
You can cook any type of dried pasta in the Ninja Foodi. The cook time will vary based on what type of pasta you are making.
If you are cooking long pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine, or vermicelli, you will need to crisscross the pasta when you add it to the pot. If you stack all of the pasta on top of each other, it will stick together, Crisscrossing the past prevents this from happening. When adding long pasta to the pot, break the pasta in half and then add to the pot by placing about 10 pieces of pasta into the pot and then crisscrossing the next 10 pieces. Continue this process until all pasta has been added. You will end up with a pile of pasta in the middle that looks similar to a haystack.
Yes, you can. The broth will add additional flavor. If using broth, you may want to reduce the amount of salt that you are adding as some broths can be rather salty.
Exactly the same way that you cook other kinds of pasta. Follow the same formula for cooking egg noodles. See chart for more details.
Secret Formula for al dente pasta:
Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 2. 5-2=3. Pressure cook for 3 minutes.
Secret Formula for pasta that is cooked a bit more:
Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 1. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 1. 5-1=4. Pressure cook for 4 minutes.
Secret Formula for completely cooked and tender pasta:
Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Pressure cook for 5 minutes.
Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Ninja Foodi Pasta:
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Pasta-Any type of dried pasta can be used. See chart for examples.
Water- Broth can be used instead of water. The beef, chicken, vegetable broth will add more flavor to the finished pasta.
Salt- Freshly ground or pre-ground will work. Salt can be omitted if preferred.
Perfect Pasta Pressure Cooking Chart
Directions for making Ninja Foodi Pasta:
1. Add 1.5 cups of water or broth per 8 ounces of pasta. If you are using very large pasta shapes, you may need to add up to 1 cup of additional liquid. Almost all of the pasta should be submerged in the liquid in order to cook properly.
2. Add ½ teaspoon of salt per 8 ounces of water, if desired. Adjust the amount of salt based on your own preference.
3. Pour your choice of pasta into the Ninja Foodi Pot.
4. Close the pressure cooking lid. and move the valve to the sealed position.
5. Calculate the pressure cooking time using this formula:
Secret Formula for al dente pasta:
Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 2. 5-2=3. Pressure cook for 3 minutes.
Secret Formula for pasta that is cooked a little more:
Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 1. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 1. 5-1=4. Pressure cook for 4 minutes.
Secret Formula for completely cooked and tender pasta:
Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Pressure cook for 5 minutes.
6. When the timer beeps and is finished pressure cooking, quick-release remaining pressure. If a lot of liquid starts to come out of the valve, do a controlled release by slowly moving the valve to the vent position for a few seconds and then moving back to the sealed position for a few seconds. Continue this process until all pressure has been released.
Open the lid and stir. If pasta is not cooked enough for your liking, place the pressure cooker lid back on the pot (does not need to be screwed on to close, just rest the lid on the top of the pot, do not turn the pot on), and let it continue to steam for a couple of minutes. If needed, strain any extra water from the pot and use the pasta as desired.
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Recipe
Ninja Foodi Pasta
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Ingredients
- 1½ cups Water (or broth-per 8 ounces of pasta)
- ½ teaspoon Salt (per 8 ounces of water, if desired)
- 8 ounces Pasta (dried)
Instructions
- Add 1.5 cups of water or broth per 8 ounces of pasta. If you are using very large pasta shapes, you may need to add up to 1 cup of additional liquid. Almost all of the pasta should be submerged in the liquid in order to cook properly.
- Pour your choice of pasta into the Ninja Foodi Pot.
- Close the pressure cooking lid. and move the valve to the sealed position.
- Calculate the pressure cooking time using this formula:Secret Formula for al dente pasta: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 2. 5-2=3. Pressure cook for 3 minutes.Secret Formula for pasta that is cooked a little more: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 1. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 1. 5-1=4. Pressure cook for 4 minutes.Secret Formula for completely cooked and tender pasta: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Pressure cook for 5 minutes.
- When the timer beeps and is finished pressure cooking, quick-release remaining pressure. If a lot of liquid starts to come out of the valve, do a controlled release by slowly moving the valve to the vent position for a few seconds and then moving back to the sealed position for a few seconds. Continue this process until all pressure has been released. Open the lid and stir. If pasta is not cooked enough for your liking, place the pressure cooker lid back on the pot (does not need to be screwed on to close, just rest the lid on the top of the pot, do not turn the pot on), and let it continue to steam for a couple of minutes. If needed, strain any extra water from the pot and use the pasta as desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
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Marianne says
I’ve owned the Ninja Foodi 8 qt. Deluxe for more than six years, but this is the first time I attempted pressure cooking pasta. Your detailed instructions and secret formula helped to make my pasta turn out perfectly. Thank you!
Sarah says
I want to double my recipe and cook 16 oz of pasta instead of 8. Is the cook time the same as on the chart or will it take longer to cook? Thanks
Lauren Cardona says
Cook time should be the same regardless of how much pasta you cook.
Jalaine says
Easiest and best way ever to make pasta. I made spaghetti to go with my Spaghetti Bolognese and it came out perfect!
Annie says
Using this method to make a cheesy bacon ranch pasta tonight. Our oven too got the boot, due to its age and my love for not having a high electric bill! Thanks for recipe!
Lauren Cardona says
You’re so welcome! The recipe you are making sounds similar to my crack chicken pasta recipe! 🙂 Here’s the link in case you need any additional info on how to make it. https://thetastytravelers.com/ninja-foodi-crack-chicken-pasta/
Linda says
This is a game changer! Due to high electric bills where I live (Hawaii, highest in the US) I am only using my Ninja Foodi. I thought I’d not be able to enjoy pasta because of it! I am eating a delicious, tender bowl of perfectly cooked Barilla Protein Plus elbows. I actually did them 50% cooktime + 1 minute. You guys are geniuses! Why isn’t this more popular?
Lauren Cardona says
Sounds like the valve was not closed all the way or the lid was not sealed all the way and you never came up to pressure. Did you see a lot of steam coming out of the top?
Anony says
my pasta is complete mush after just 3 minutes of hi-pressure?! what went wrong here?
Lauren Cardona says
Hi there. Different styles of pasta take different amounts of time to cook. What type of pasta did you use and did you quick release or naturally release the pressure?
Jay says
Have you done gluten free pasta? Curious if it still comes out successful or gets mushy?
TheTastyTravelers says
Hi Jay- I have not made gluten free pasta yet so I can’t say how it would turn out.
Prettimama42 says
I have used this 2 times.. I am very impressed with how quickly I can make spaghetti with minimal effort! My only suggestion is to add a little bit of olive oil to help keep the noodles from sticking. The first time I made it without olive oil and the noodles stuck together a little, and the second time I did it the same way except I added a splash of olive oil into my broth and the noodles came out perfect! Thanks for the recipe 😁
TheTastyTravelers says
Great idea to use olive oil! Sometimes I add it in and sometimes I don’t. But, it really is incredible how easy you can make pasta using this method. Have you tried making spaghetti with the sauce yet? It’s a game changer!