Need something quick that doesn’t take a lot of work? These 25 easy Instant Pot recipes are great for beginners and cover more than just dinner. You’ll find main dishes, sides, and simple meals that come together fast without a lot of steps. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, these recipes make busy weeknights easier and a little less stressful.
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Meatballs and Sauce
Roll up your sleeves and let the Instant Pot do the hard part with these tender meatballs in rich, savory sauce. Everything cooks in one pot, so there’s less cleanup and more time to relax after eating. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe any beginner can handle, and the flavor makes it feel like you cooked all day.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Grab a spoon and get ready for bold flavor with almost no prep work needed. This soup comes together fast with chicken, beans, and broth that taste like they’ve been simmering for hours. It’s a delicious Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something warm, hearty, and easy to throw together on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Tomato Basil Bisque
Stir up a smooth, creamy soup that tastes like a restaurant favorite without all the work. The Instant Pot blends tomato and basil into something rich and comforting with just a few simple steps. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe any beginner can make when they want something cozy and low effort.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Chicken Curry
Turn a simple dinner into something packed with bold, comforting flavor using this Instant Pot curry. The chicken cooks until tender and soaks up all the rich spices while the pot handles most of the work. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something warm and filling without standing over a stove.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Dig into a bowl of creamy, thick potato soup that tastes like comfort in every bite. The Instant Pot softens the potatoes quickly and blends everything into a smooth, flavorful meal. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners looking for something hearty with very little prep or cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Chickpea Tomato Soup
Get a filling meal on the table fast with this creamy, protein-packed soup made with chickpeas and tomatoes. The Instant Pot makes it easy to blend everything together without needing lots of steps or tools. This is a perfect Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something meat-free, smooth, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Tomato Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Stock
Skip the store-bought stuff and make fresh, flavorful chicken stock without standing at the stove all day. The Instant Pot pulls deep flavor from bones and veggies, giving you a rich base for soups and sauces. This is a helpful Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something easy, homemade, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stock
Carnitas
Make taco night a hit with juicy, flavorful carnitas that come out just right with barely any effort. The Instant Pot makes the pork tender and full of rich seasoning, ready to crisp up however you like. This is a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something satisfying that feels like a win.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Honey Bourbon Chicken
Cook up something sweet and savory that takes hardly any time but tastes like you planned ahead. The chicken comes out tender and juicy, and the honey bourbon sauce gets nice and thick in the Instant Pot. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a dish that’s rich, tasty, and simple to serve.
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Chicken
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Settle into something warm and classic without needing to watch the stove. The Instant Pot keeps the chicken juicy, the broth flavorful, and the noodles just right in a short amount of time. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot recipe that’s great for anyone needing a no-fuss, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Paprikash
Add some smoky flavor to your dinner without needing a bunch of steps or special tools. The Instant Pot brings out the flavor of the paprika and keeps the chicken soft while thickening the sauce to just the right texture. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something filling and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Forget the grill and still get big barbecue flavor right from your kitchen. The chicken turns out soft and easy to shred, and the Instant Pot makes sure every bite is coated in tangy, smoky sauce. It’s one of the best Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want a fast and flavorful dinner without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Make a dish that feels fancy but doesn’t ask for much from you in return. The Instant Pot cooks the rice until creamy and smooth, while the peas and lemon add a fresh twist that keeps things light. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to try something new without making it too hard.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Pulled Pork
Serve up tender, juicy pulled pork that tastes like it cooked all day, even though it didn’t. The Instant Pot handles the heavy lifting, and the seasoning soaks in deep for a bold, satisfying meal. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot recipe that’s perfect for sandwiches, rice bowls, or just on its own.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Make a bowl of cheesy goodness with this smooth and hearty broccoli cheddar soup. The Instant Pot softens the broccoli and melts the cheese into a rich, creamy blend that’s easy to enjoy. This is a simple Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something warm, filling, and super easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Beer Cheese Soup
Stir together something cheesy and rich that’s done fast and tastes great. The beer adds a little edge, and the Instant Pot melts everything together into one creamy bowl of comfort. This is a quick and tasty Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a meal that feels special without all the steps.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
Chicken Tikka Masala
Fill your plate with bold flavor without the hours usually needed for a dish like this. The Instant Pot blends spices and sauce while keeping the chicken tender and juicy in just a few easy steps. This is a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to try something different but still easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
French Onion Soup
Make something rich and full of flavor that feels like it came from a fancy kitchen. The Instant Pot helps caramelize the onions fast and blends them into a broth that’s warm, savory, and deeply satisfying. This is a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to try something classic with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Tomato Soup
Keep it simple and comforting with a smooth tomato soup that’s done in no time. The Instant Pot softens the tomatoes and pulls out the flavor while blending everything into a creamy bowl of goodness. It’s an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a no-fail, go-to meal they can make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Mashed Potatoes
Make a fluffy, creamy side dish without boiling water or making a mess on the stove. The Instant Pot cooks the potatoes fast and helps them mash up perfectly every time. This is a foolproof Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a classic comfort food that’s quick to make and always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Tomato Lime Chicken
Brighten up your plate with juicy chicken that’s full of zesty tomato and lime flavor. The Instant Pot keeps it tender and soaks in all the bold sauce without any need to watch the clock. This is a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something tangy, easy, and ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Potato Corn Chowder
Fill your bowl with this creamy chowder that mixes soft potatoes with sweet corn in every bite. The Instant Pot helps cook everything quickly and evenly, leaving you with a dish that feels rich and comforting. It’s a perfect Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a meal that’s hearty without being hard to make.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Cinnamon Apples
Sweeten up your day with these warm, tender apples that cook down with just the right hint of spice. The Instant Pot softens them perfectly and brings out the cinnamon without much work from you. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a quick dessert that feels homemade and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Scoop up a thick, rich soup that’s full of flavor and ready in way less time than you’d think. The lentils cook down fast in the Instant Pot and blend with the spices into a filling, no-fuss meal. It’s one of the best Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want something wholesome and simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Get dinner done fast with this zesty lemon garlic chicken that comes out juicy and packed with flavor. The Instant Pot helps lock in the taste and keeps the chicken tender without a lot of extra work. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot recipe that’s perfect for anyone who wants something bright and easy.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken