Ingredients
12 ounce Pasta Shells (**Uncooked pasta. I used salad shell pasta. You can also use penne, rotini, farfalle pasta. Do weigh the pasta.)
1 pound ground turkey (**I used 97% lean ground turkey.)
1 cup onion (**roughly chopped yellow onion.)
1 tbsp garlic (**minced.)
1 cup yellow bell pepper (**diced into small squares. You can also use orange or red bell pepper.)
15 oz tomato sauce (**425 g.)
2 tbsp Olive Oil (**use extra light or light olive oil.)
Salt (to taste) (**use according to your personal taste preference.)
1.5 tsp Paprika (**use sweet paprika. DO NOT use smoked paprika.)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (**for slight heat. Skip if heat intolerant.)
3 cups Water (**warm.)
2 tbsp Better Than Bouillon (**chicken base stirred in the above 3 cups warm water to form an instant homemade chicken stock.)
3/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 cup whole Milk (**use 1% or fat free for a lighter version.)
1 cup cheddar cheese (**I used sharp cheddar.)
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
Lightly brown ground turkey
Set the instant pot on SAUTE mode on LOW heat setting. You can adjust the heat settings on SAUTE mode by pressing the sauté button multiple times. Add oil, when the oil becomes moderately hot gently release the chopped onion, garlic & bell pepper. Sauté for 30 secs & add salt. Sauté for another min.
Now, add the ground turkey & break it down into large chunks with the help of your spatula. Sauté the ground turkey until it turns Lightly brown. Break it down further into medium chunks as you continue browning the meat. The ground turkey will release moisture, you need to sauté well until all the extra moisture evaporates, that's when the meat will begin to brown. Add all the seasonings mentioned above in the "SEASONINGS" section of the ingredients list and sauté with the ground turkey for another min. This will add a great depth of flavor to the one pot ground turkey pasta recipe. CANCEL the Sauté mode.
Deglaze pot
Pour the chicken stock and deglaze the pot very well scraping the sides & the bottom of the pot with the help of your spatula. This will help loosen any stuck food particles and prevent the burn error. DO NOT rush this step!
Layer Pasta, tomato Sauce
Now, add the uncooked pasta in the instant pot and spread it in a single layer with the help of your spatula. DO NOT stir or mix. Press down the pasta slightly on all sides with the help of your spatula.
Pour the tomato sauce on top of the pasta and spread it out evenly with the help of your spatula. DO NOT stir or mix.
Pressure Cook
Secure the lid of the instant pot, seal the valve and PRESSURE COOK on HIGH for just 4 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is over the instant pot will begin to beep, immediately perform a quick pressure release manually by moving the valve from the sealing to the venting position. Once the floating pin on top of the lid drops open the lid of the instant pot carefully. Give everything in the instant pot a very good stir.
Make creamy ground turkey pasta
Turn on the SAUTE mode & set it on low heat. Pour the milk & heavy whipping cream and give everything a good stir. Now, add about 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and stir well until the cheese melts completely and well incorporates to form a creamy cheesy sauce.
Turn off the instant pot. Now, add the rest 1/2 cup cheddar & mozzarella cheese on top of the one pot ground turkey pasta & secure the lid of the instant pot. Let it rest for 5 mins or until the cheese melts. The residual heat will help melt the cheese to form a cheesy top layer.
Open the lid & serve the cheesy ground turkey pasta. Enjoy!