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18 Best Instant Pot Recipes for Effortless School Night Dinners

August 20, 2025 by Amanda Tyler Leave a Comment

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Working people, and especially families, rely on Instant Pots to make quick and easy dinners. It’s a real game-changer for people who want a quick and healthy dinner every night. 

These Instant Pot recipes are so good and easy to make, and they will make your weeknights a breeze. Of course, “best” is subjective, but I think that these recipes are absolutely delicious, and you should try them this week or the next and get in the habit of using your Instant Pot every night to make your dinner yummy and effortless. 

Vegan Lentil Soup

Vegan Lentil Soup In Instant Pot.

Image Credit: Culinary Shades.

This lentil soup made in the instant pot is flavorful and delicious. It is quick and easy to make with vegetables at hand. It is a dump-and-go recipe- making it perfectly effortless. 

Get the Recipe: Vegan Lentil Soup In Instant Pot

Instant Pot Bean Soup

Instant Pot Bean Soup.

Image Credit: Marcellina in Cusina.

This Instant Pot Bean Soup is hearty, nutritious, and full of beans and vegetables! The best part is that you’ll have this family favorite on the table in less than 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bean Soup

Instant Pot Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew)

INSTANT POT FEIJOADA

To make this recipe more accessible, I’ve tried to stay true to the spirit of Brazilian feijoada but make it easy for you to make it in the comfort of your kitchen with ingredients readily available at your market.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew)

Instant Pot Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Instant Pot Spaghetti With Meat Sauce.
Image Credit: Busy Family Recipes.

This Instant Pot Spaghetti is an easy way to make a classic dish that’s filled with tender pasta and a savory homemade seasoned meat sauce! This family favorite hits the table in just 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken (with Fresh or Frozen Chicken).
Image Credit: Miwexican.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is the one (Instant) Pot recipe you want in your back pocket for busy days. Requiring only 4 ingredients, prep literally takes 2 minutes! Then the Instant Pot takes care of the rest.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Salsa Chicken (with Fresh or Frozen Chicken)

Amazing Instant Pot Beef Stew

HOW TO MAKE AN AMAZING INSTANT POT BEEF STEW.
Image Credit: My Chef’s Apron.

You can’t beat a tender and juicy instant pot beef stew recipe with deep, meaty flavors and a rich texture that comes together in about 1 hour.

Get the Recipe: How to Make an Amazing Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant Pot Hainanese Chicken Rice 

Instant Pot Hainanese Chicken Rice (Quick & Easy).
Image Credit: Savour the Pho.

This Instant Pot Hainanese Chicken Rice (Instant Pot Hainan Chicken Rice) is my take on classical Hainan Chicken Rice. With aromatic and fluffy rice, juicy chicken, and delectable sauces, this easy chicken rice will surely impress you!

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Hainanese Chicken Rice (Quick & Easy)

Instant Pot Crack Chicken

INSTANT POT CRACK CHICKEN.
Image Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

Ready to elevate your chicken game? Try this easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken, a high-protein, keto-friendly main course that’s as easy to make as delicious. With its creamy cream cheese and ranch-flavored sauce, this versatile dish can be served in sandwiches, with mashed potatoes, or alongside your favorite sides!

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Crack Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup 

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP (INSTANT POT).
Image Credit: Free Your Fork.

This Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is absolutely delicious and easily customizable if you have picky eaters in the house. You can make a batch and serve it all week long!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup (Instant Pot)

Creamy Instant Pot Corn Spinach Pasta

CREAMY INSTANT POT CORN SPINACH PASTA.
Image Credit: Cake Work Orange.

The Instant Pot Creamy Spinach and Corn Pasta is a comforting, creamy pasta dish made with fresh spinach and sweet corn in a mild pasta base. This One Pot Pasta is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for any occasion.

Get the recipe: Creamy Instant Pot Corn Spinach Pasta

Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast With Vegetables

Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables.
Image Credit: Xoxo Bella.

Now that the cooler weather is here, you might like to get back into pressure cooking and tasty Instant Pot recipes. This Instant Pot pork loin roast is an especially great recipe because it can be made in a fraction of the time you’d spend using a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Pork roast with vegetables makes an effortless dinner for busy weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables

Easy Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa Tacos

Easy Instant Pot (or Slow Cooker) Beef Barbacoa Tacos.
Image Credit: Little Black Skillet.

You’ll love this easy instant pot (or slow cooker) beef barbacoa tacos! Tender, shredded beef seems like it simmered for hours. However, in reality, all you need is a little time in the instant pot. Serve the shredded beef in charred tortillas, cilantro, avocado, refrigerator-prickled onions, crumbled cotija cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice, and you’ve got yourself a taco party.

Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot (or Slow Cooker) Beef Barbacoa Tacos

Instant Pot Chicken Tinga

INSTANT POT CHICKEN TINGA.
Image Credit: Kalyn’s Chicken.

Instant Pot Chicken Tinga is a Mexican dish made with chicken, tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, and a touch of Chipotle Chili Pepper. This flavorful, low-carb chicken recipe can be served in various ways.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Tinga

Authentic Instant Pot Meatballs With Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Authentic Instant Pot Meatballs with Homemade Spaghetti Sauce.
Image Credit: Cuisine & Travel.

I’ve been working on perfecting these Instant Pot meatballs with my homemade spaghetti sauce for quite some time. These are the most tender, moist, authentic meatballs you’ll find. The recipe is from my late aunt from Italy.

Get the Recipe: Authentic Instant Pot Meatballs with Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Easy Instant Pot Vegan Jambalaya  

Easy Vegan Jambalaya In The Instant Pot.
Image Credit: Hassle Free Vegan.

Zesty vegan jambalaya is easier to make in the Instant Pot. This vegan dinner is full of veggies, rice, and flavor. If you’re looking for a hearty meal with plenty of spice, this recipe is for you.

Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Jambalaya In The Instant Pot

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Instant Pot Chicken Curry.
Image Credit: Chew Out Loud.

This Instant Pot Chicken Curry only needs 5 minutes of cooking time in the pressure cooker. Tender, flavorful, and healthy. It happens to be gluten-free and dairy-free. Talk about effortless!

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs With Maple Mustard Sauce

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs with Maple Mustard Sauce.
Image Credit: Fannetastic Food.

These maple mustard Instant Pot chicken thighs are easy, healthy, and delicious: the ultimate trifecta for a flavorful weeknight meal!

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Thighs with Maple Mustard Sauce

Instant Pot Short Ribs Ragu

Instant Pot Short Ribs Ragu.
Image Credit: Mary’s Whole Life.

This Instant Pot short rib recipe has simple ingredients and is easy to make! Tender, slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone beef in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce—this short rib ragu recipe is truly perfect!

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Short Ribs Ragu

 

Read More:

Woman taking baking dish with tasty rice casserole out of oven.

Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.

Check out these awesome recipes!

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  • 9 Casseroles Every Mom Should Make

 

Filed Under: Great Food

Previous Post: « 17 Rice Casserole Recipes Every Parent Should Make for Effortless School Night Dinners
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