You can use your rice cooker to make so much more than just rice! This rice cooker pasta is creamy, flavorful and easy to make in just 30 minutes! It is a one-pot meal made of simple ingredients like pasta, butter, shallots, cream, cheese and spinach. It’s the perfect no fuss meal for busy weeknights, a college dorm room student or for a cozy party for 2!
Table of contents
Why this Rice Cooker Recipe Works
- One pot method - everything cooks right in the rice cooker, no draining or stirring needed. Just set it and walk away, and best of all just one small pot to clean!
- Quick and easy - this recipe uses minimal and simple ingredients that cooks of any level can make perfectly every time! 30 minutes is all it takes!
- Flavorful and comforting - this pasta dish is hearty and has all the comforting flavors of buttery and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Penne pasta -this pasta holds up well in the rice cooker and cooks to a perfect al dente! The penne pasta shape fits in the rice cooker nicely and cooks evenly.
Water - for cooking the pasta, no draining needed.
Butter - adds depth and richness to the dish.
Spinach - use fresh spinach.
Heavy cream - for the creamy sauce base.
Parmesan cheese -finely shredded for even melting.
Shallots - for a mild sweet flavor.
Salt and pepper - to taste
Rice Cooker Recommendation
Tayama - this is a simple one function cooker that cooks up to 10 cups of uncooked rice. It’s great for large batches and is easy to clean. It’s a small yet mighty machine.
Cuckoo - is a multi function cooker with a fuzzy logic technology which is an advanced feature that adjusts the cooking temperature and time to ensure perfect rice each time. The different setting allows you to easily cook other grains like brown rice, sticky rice, porridge and baby food.
Tiger JBV- is also a multi function cooker with 10 cooking settings. It has micom technology which helps to control the temperature and cooking time to get perfectly cooked rice every time.
How to Make Pasta in a Rice Cooker
1. Add the pasta, water, butter, shallots, and salt to the rice cooker pot, close the lid and press cook or cook on the white rice setting for a multi purpose cooker.
2. Mix in the sauce. When the pasta is done cooking, add the heavy cream and cheese then mix until it’s melted and combined.
3. Add Veggies - add the spinach and stir until slightly cooked. Taste and add additional salt and pepper to taste.
4. Protein (optional) -Add any protein of choice like shredded rotisserie chicken. Serve while hot!
Tips
- Use a standard US measuring cup NOT the cup that comes with the rice cooker.
- Rice cooker capacity - rice cookers come in a variety of sizes, make sure to check your rice cooker’s capacity to allow enough space for overflow -before doubling the recipe.
- Cooking times vary with rice cooker models. If the pasta is not cooked to your preferred doneness, cook it for an additional 2-5 minutes or as needed.
- Small pasta works best - penne, macaroni, fusilli shapes fit the rice cooker better and cooks more evenly. Avoid long spaghetti noodles (unless you are willing to break them in half)!
- Do not let the pasta sit in the warm setting for too long, otherwise it may overcook.
Variations and Substitutes
Protein -Top the pasta with leftover shredded whole roasted chicken, air fryer turkey meatballs, sausage, or oven baked salmon.
Vegetables - substitute other vegetables like frozen peas, frozen carrots and green beans to cook with the pasta or top it off with basil before serving.
Vegan - Make it a vegan pasta by using vegan butter, non dairy milk and vegan cheese!
Cheese - try other meltable cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar.
Extra flavor - add aromatics like minced garlic, chopped onion or Italian seasoning.
What to Serve with Pasta
This rice cooker pasta is perfect on its own, but can be served alongside amazing dishes like air fryer chicken drumsticks, pan fried pork chops, add a side of air fryer broccoli with a slice of bread topped with a garlic butter spread!
Storing and Reheating
- The pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in a microwave in 1 minute intervals until warmed through (if frozen, remove from the freezer to allow it to thaw first), add a splash of heavy cream or milk to thin out the creamy sauce.
FAQ
Yes, pasta can be overcooked in the rice cooker if it sits in the warm setting for too long.
It is really easy to clean a rice cooker after cooking pasta. Most rice cookers come with a nonstick inner pot, so there is very little sticking. Just rinse and wash with warm soapy water.
If you are looking for a healthy way of cooking pasta, omit the butter and heavy cream. For a lighter option, just use olive oil and minced garlic that is still flavorful.
More Rice Cooker Recipes
Creamy Rice Cooker Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup penne pasta (uncooked) use standard US measuring cup
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter, salted
- 2 teaspoon shallot, chopped
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- pepper to taste
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- 1 cup spinach, fresh
Instructions
- Add the pasta, water, butter, shallots, and salt to the rice cooker pot, close the lid and press cook, (cook on white rice setting if you have a multi-function cooker).
- When the pasta is done cooking, add the heavy cream and shredded cheese. Stir until it’s melted and combined.
- Add the spinach and stir until slightly wilted, about 30 seconds.
- Taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Use a standard US measuring cup NOT the cup that comes with the rice cooker.
- Rice cooker capacity -before doubling the recipe, make sure to check your rice cooker’s capacity to allow enough space for overflow.
- Cooking times vary by rice cookers, if the pasta is not cooked to your preferred doneness, cook it for an additional 2-5 minutes as needed.
- Small pasta works best - penne, macaroni, fusilli shapes fit the rice cooker better and cooks more evenly, avoid long spaghetti noodles (unless you are willing to break them in half!)
- Do not let the pasta sit in the warm setting for too long, otherwise the pasta may overcook.
Nutrition
Bethy
Stir the spinach for 30 minutes?!
Kaylie
Sorry it should be 30 seconds! Thanks for catching that!