7 Easy Recipes for Your First Instant Pot Experience

So, you finally caved and bought yourself an Instant Pot. Welcome to the club! 🙂 You now own a gadget that could very well be the MVP of your kitchen… if you actually use it.

I get it at first glance, that shiny pressure-cooking spaceship looks more like something from NASA than a tool for making dinner. But trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it. Ready to actually use that thing sitting on your counter? Here are 7 super-easy Instant Pot recipes to break it in. Spoiler alert: you’re about to feel like a culinary genius with zero effort.

1. Instant Pot Mac & Cheese – Adult Version (But Kids Will Still Beg for It)

Let’s kick things off with the universal comfort food: mac and cheese. And not the box kind this is the creamy, cheesy, face-stuffing kind that happens to be stupidly easy.

Why it works:

• No boiling pasta separately. Everything cooks in one pot.
• It’s ready in under 10 minutes (seriously).
• You get to control the cheese (translation: extra cheese is totally allowed).

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 4 cups water
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• ½ cup Parmesan (for fancy vibes)
• 1 cup milk
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Add macaroni, water, and butter to the pot.
2. Pressure cook for 4 minutes (yes, four).
3. Quick release, then stir in cheese, milk, salt, pepper.
4. Taste it. Add more cheese. Boom done.

Pro tip: Toss in a splash of hot sauce or mustard powder if you’re feeling wild. Ever wondered why mac & cheese at restaurants tastes better? Yeah, it’s that.

2. Shredded Chicken – Meal Prep Gold

This one’s a no-brainer and should honestly be your go-to for weekly meal prep. It’s juicy, it’s versatile, and it saves your butt on busy days.

Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Cooks in 10 minutes. For real.
• Great for tacos, salads, wraps, sandwiches, you name it.
• Freezer-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder
• Optional: taco seasoning, BBQ sauce, or buffalo sauce

Directions:

1. Toss everything into the Instant Pot.
2. Set to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
3. Let it naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest.
4. Shred it with forks and mix in extra sauce if desired.

FYI: Chicken thighs are juicier than breasts. Just sayin’.

3. Instant Pot Chili – No More Babysitting the Stove

This one’s for those days when you want something hearty, warm, and soul-soothing but don’t have time to stand around stirring a pot for hours.

Why it’s a keeper:

• It’s one-pot magic.
• Feeds a crowd (or just you for three days straight).
• Tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• Salt, pepper

Directions:

1. Sauté the meat, onion, and garlic directly in the Instant Pot.
2. Add remaining ingredients.
3. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.
4. Natural release for 10 minutes, then stir and taste.

Optional upgrades: Corn, bell peppers, a splash of beer, or a square of dark chocolate (yes, really thank me later).

4. Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes – Fancy Without the Fuss

You know how mashed potatoes usually need a pot, a colander, and a bowl? Yeah, the Instant Pot skips all that nonsense.

Why this rocks:

• You don’t drain the water. 🙌
• Perfectly fluffy every time.
• Garlic + butter = love.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 cup water
• 4 tbsp butter
• ½ cup milk or cream
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Add potatoes, garlic, and water.
2. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
3. Quick release, then mash with butter, milk, and salt.

IMO: Yukon Golds give you that buttery flavor naturally. No judgment if you still add extra butter.

5. Steel-Cut Oats – Because Breakfast Shouldn’t Take Forever

If you’ve ever made steel-cut oats on the stovetop, you know it’s basically an act of patience. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Here’s what’s awesome:

• No boiling over.
• No stirring.
• Makes breakfast feel like self-care.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 3 cups water
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: cinnamon, maple syrup, chopped apples

Directions:

1. Dump oats, water, and salt in the pot.
2. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
3. Natural release for 10 minutes.

Add-ins: Stir in your favorite toppings post-cook. Peanut butter and banana? Do it. Raisins and brown sugar? Also acceptable. 😉

6. Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs – No More Guessing

This recipe is almost too easy, which is probably why I love it. Seriously, peel these eggs and you’ll wonder why you ever used a stovetop.

The perks:

• Super easy to peel (no sad, crumbled eggs).
• You can make a dozen at once.
• Perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients:

• As many eggs as you want
• 1 cup water

Directions (the famous 5-5-5 method):

1. Add eggs to trivet, pour in water.
2. Pressure cook 5 minutes.
3. Let sit for 5 minutes (natural release).
4. Ice bath for 5 minutes.

End result: Eggs that actually look like eggs when peeled. Wild concept, right?

7. Instant Pot Pulled Pork – Game Day Hero

Whether you’re feeding your family or trying to impress during game day (no pressure), this one never fails. Plus, it makes your house smell amazing.

What’s so great?

• Tender, juicy pork without a smoker.
• Soaks up flavor like a sponge.
• Freezer-friendly leftovers.

Ingredients:

• 3–4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup broth or soda (yep Coke or root beer works)
• BBQ rub or seasoning mix
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Directions:

1. Cut pork into chunks and coat in rub.
2. Add to Instant Pot with broth.
3. Pressure cook for 60 minutes (high).
4. Natural release for 15–20 minutes.
5. Shred and mix with BBQ sauce.

Serve it on: Buns, nachos, rice bowls, or just a fork if you’re keeping it low-carb (or lazy).

Final Thoughts: Your Instant Pot Just Became Your BFF

There you have it seven Instant Pot recipes so easy, you’ll feel like a kitchen wizard without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re making cheesy comfort food, prepping your week’s meals, or just trying not to burn toast again, your Instant Pot’s got your back.

Ever wonder why people obsess over this thing? It’s because once you try it, life before the Instant Pot feels unnecessarily complicated. Sure, you could cook things the old-school way… but why suffer?

So go ahead pick a recipe, press a button, and feel smug as you “cook” with basically zero effort. And hey, if anyone asks how you made it, feel free to pretend you slaved away for hours. 😉

Now your move: Which recipe are you trying first?