Garlic Herb Cheese Pasta Made in the Instant Pot

Pasta is one of those dishes I never tire of and can make any day of the week. This recipe is among the quickest, simplest, and most satisfying pasta meals you can prepare. It relies on four main ingredients: pasta, broth, a garlic-herb cheese (homemade or a store-bought Boursin or Alouette garlic & herb), and a little grated Parmesan or Pecorino-Romano. From prep to plate it takes about 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, lazy afternoons, or any time you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. Welcome to Garlic Herb Cheese Pasta.

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Instant Pot Garlic Herb Cheese (Boursin) Pasta

Mission: It’s Pastable

Gemelli pasta in Instant Pot — Add your pasta (gemelli is used here, but any short pasta like farfalle or penne works).

Broth in Instant Pot — Pour in broth — chicken, vegetable, or a light beef broth all make a flavorful base.

Pressure Cook The Pasta

Submerging pasta in Instant Pot in broth — Smooth the pasta with a spoon so it’s mostly submerged in the broth. Secure the lid and pressure cook according to your device instructions.

Pressure cooked gemelli pasta — After cooking, the pasta will be tender and there should be a bit of broth left — exactly what you want to form the sauce.

The Garlic Herb Cheese Finish

Adding garlic herb cheese to pot — Stir in the garlic-herb cheese (homemade or a store-bought Boursin/Alouette). The cheese melts into the warm pasta and broth, creating a creamy coating.

Adding grated Parmesan to pot — Add grated Parmesan or Pecorino-Romano for depth and a salty, nutty finish.

Stirring everything in the pot until a cheesy sauce forms and coats the pasta — Stir until it forms a silky garlic-herb sauce that evenly coats the pasta. The sauce will thicken as it rests.

Bowl of plated pasta — Serve immediately for the creamiest texture, or let it sit a minute if you prefer a slightly thicker sauce.

The Taste Test

Man holding bowl of pasta — You’ll be amazed how flavorful this is with minimal effort — rich, garlicky, and comforting.

Man eating pasta with fork — Give it a try and enjoy a gourmet-feeling meal in minutes.

Man looking stunned by how good the pasta tastes — Simple ingredients, big flavor — proof that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious.

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Man holding up 4 cookbooks he wrote — I’ve authored several visual cookbooks focused on simple, reliable recipes for home cooks, including Instant Pot favorites and stove-top pasta guides.

Can showing the inside of the colorful books — Each book features full-color, step-by-step photos and clear timing so even beginners can cook confidently.

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Yield: 6

Instant Pot Garlic Herb Cheese Pasta

Pasta is one of those dishes I never tire of and can make any day of the week. This recipe is quick, simple, and satisfying, using pasta, broth, garlic-herb cheese (homemade or store-bought), and a little grated hard cheese. Ready in about 15 minutes, it’s a go-to meal for busy nights or relaxed days.

Prep Time
1 minute

Cook Time
6 minutes

Additional Time
2 minutes

Total Time
9 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound gemelli pasta (or any short-form pasta such as farfalle)
4 cups broth of your choice
Choose one: 3/4 cup garlic herb cheese, 5.2-ounce package Boursin garlic & herb, or 6-ounce tub Alouette garlic & herb
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino-Romano cheese

Instructions

Add the pasta and broth to the Instant Pot, smoothing out the pasta so it’s mostly submerged in the broth.
Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on High for 6 minutes. Quick release when done. Some broth should remain — that’s the base of your sauce.
Stir in the garlic-herb cheese and grated Parmesan until fully combined. Let rest a minute, then serve.

Jeffrey’s Tips

If leftovers dry out, revive them with a splash of cream, half-and-half, or milk while reheating. For a tomato-kissed variation, stir in a few spoonfuls of marinara after the cheese for a bright finish.