Instant Pot Crack Pasta with Ham

Instant Pot Crack Pasta with ham is a yummy spin on the cheesy chicken pasta that is great for using up leftover ham! Think mac and cheese meets crack chicken in one really quick, family friendly dinner.

Have I told you all how much I love my Instant Pot?

I’m sure I have at least once or twice or a hundred times.

It lets me make things like this easy crack pasta with literally zero effort.

One pot, no muss, no fuss and bam!

A delicious, family friendly pasta dinner you can make even when you are crazy busy.

What is crack pasta?

Crack pasta is the darling of the internet.

It features a creamy, cheesy sauce laced with ranch seasoning and normally shredded chicken.

This version does away with the chicken, instead using diced ham for a new twist on the classic.

Ingredients

To make this you’ll need:

• Ham– Leftover ham is perfect for this. Dice it up.
• Pasta- Pretty much any shape. I like rotini, penne, or elbows in this.
• Ranch– A premade packet of the ranch dressing mix.
• Chicken broth– To cook it in.
• Cream cheese– Full fat cream cheese will give you the best, creamiest results. Let it soften on the counter prior to use and cut it into cubes.
• Cheddar cheese– Shredded.

How to Make

This crack pasta is so easy to make thanks to the Instant Pot.

To do it, turn on the saute function of your pot, making sure the inner liner is in and ready to go.

Add the ham to the pot and saute for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.

Once you’ve sauteed the ham, hit the cancel button and then sprinkle the ranch powder over top of the ham.

Now, pour the chicken broth into the pot, followed by the pasta.

Push the pasta down into the broth as much as possible with a spatula, but DO NOT stir it.

Then, secure the lid on the pot and make sure the vent valve is sealed.

Pressure cook the pasta according to the time indicated on the box divided in half, and then minus 2 minutes.

When the Pot beeps, carefully open the valve to quick release.

Once the pressure has released, open the lid and stir in the cheeses until they are melted and combined.

Return the lid to the pot, and let it rest for 5 minutes while the pasta continues to absorb liquid and the sauce thickens.

After 5 minutes, stir again, and then serve.

Enjoy!

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until warm.

Tips and Tricks

• Don’t panic if it’s soupy after you first open the lid. The sauce will thicken while it rests.
• Perform a quick release, as a natural release will allow the pasta to overcook and become mush quickly
• If you want to add veggies to the mix, canned peas and mushrooms both work well. Drain them and stir them in just before serving. The hot pasta will easily heat them up. Steamed broccoli is also a tasty addition.
• You can use different shredded cheeses to fit what you have on hand.

Other Cheesy Ranch Crack Style Recipes

Instant Pot crack pasta with ham is a tasty way to use up leftovers in a quick, family friendly meal. Make it the next time you need to use up ham and enjoy.

Looking for other crack style recipes? Try these:

• Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Soup with Tortellini
• Crockpot Crack Chicken Sandwiches
• Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Noodle Soup

If you’ve tried this INSTANT POT CRACK PASTA WITH HAM, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

Instant Pot Crack Pasta with Ham

Instant Pot Crack Pasta with ham is a yummy spin on the cheesy chicken pasta that is great for using up leftover ham! Think mac and cheese meets crack chicken in one really quick, family friendly dinner.

4.34 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1 lb diced ham
• 1 lb pasta
• 2 1/2 tbsp ranch dressing mix powder
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 oz cream cheese softened & cubed
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Turn on the saute function of your pot. Add the ham, and sautee for 2-3 minutes- stirring often. Hit the cancel button, and then sprinkle the ranch powder over top of the ham.
• Pour the chicken broth into the pot, followed by the pasta. Using a spatula, push the pasta down into the broth as much as possible, but DO NOT stir.
• Add the lid to the pot, turning to close. Turn the vent valve to seal. Pressure cook the pasta according to the time indicated on the box divided in half, and then minus 2 minutes. I cooked mine for 4 minutes for 1 lb of pasta.
• Carefully open the valve (avoiding the hot steam spray), and allow the pot to quick release.
• When done, open the lid and add the cheeses then stir everything to melt & evenly combine- again carefully to avoid the steam.
• The mixture will seem soupy at first. Return the lid to the pot, and let it rest for 5 minutes while the pasta continues to absorb liquid and the sauce thickens.
• After 5 minutes, stir again, and then serve.

Notes

• Don't panic if it's soupy after you first open the lid. The sauce will thicken while it rests.
• Perform a quick release, as a natural release will allow the pasta to overcook and become mush quickly
• If you want to add veggies to the mix, canned peas and mushrooms both work well. Drain them and stir them in just before serving. The hot pasta will easily heat them up. Steamed broccoli is also a tasty addition.
• You can use different shredded cheeses to fit what you have on hand.

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