Instant Pot Recipes for Families: 15 Dump and Go Meals

ByMama Munch

The Instant Pot promised to revolutionize weeknight dinners. And for families who’ve cracked the code, it delivers. The secret? Dump and go recipes—meals where you literally dump ingredients in, set it, and walk away.

No browning. No sautéing. No babysitting. Just dinner, ready when you are.

These 15 family-tested recipes are the ones we make on repeat. They’re forgiving, kid-approved, and require minimal prep. Your Instant Pot is about to earn its counter space.

Why Dump and Go Recipes Win

For busy parents:

  • Minimal hands-on time
  • No watching or stirring
  • Can prep while kids do homework
  • Dinner ready when you need it

For picky eaters:

  • Familiar flavors
  • Tender textures from pressure cooking
  • Easy to customize portions
  • Sauces can be served on the side

For meal planning:

  • Many recipes freeze well
  • Leftovers reheat perfectly
  • Predictable cook times
  • Works with pantry staples

Before You Start: Instant Pot Tips

The golden rule: Never fill past the max line. For foods that expand (rice, beans, pasta), stay at half full.

Liquid is essential: Pressure cookers need liquid to build pressure. Minimum 1 cup for most recipes.

Natural release vs. quick release:

  • Natural release (NR): Let pressure drop on its own (better for meats, prevents splattering)
  • Quick release (QR): Turn valve to release steam immediately (better for vegetables, stops cooking)

Don’t peek: Every time you open the lid, you reset cooking. Trust the process.

The Recipes

1. Salsa Chicken

The easiest recipe that exists.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breast (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 jar (16 oz) salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in pot
  2. Pour salsa over chicken
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning on top
  4. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 15 minutes (20 if frozen)
  5. Natural release 10 minutes, then quick release
  6. Shred with forks

Serve with: Rice, tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or nachos

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2. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Restaurant-quality, minimal effort.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breast
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in pot with broth, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning
  2. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 10 minutes
  3. Quick release
  4. Remove chicken, stir in spinach, cream, and parmesan
  5. Slice chicken and return to sauce

Serve with: Pasta, rice, or crusty bread

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3. Beef and Broccoli

Better than takeout.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs beef sirloin, sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)

Instructions:

  1. Combine beef, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and broth
  2. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 12 minutes
  3. Quick release
  4. Remove lid, add broccoli, stir
  5. Let sit 5 minutes (broccoli steams)
  6. Stir in cornstarch slurry, select SAUTÉ until thickened

Serve over: Rice or noodles

[INTERNAL LINK: one-pan-sheet-pan-dinners]

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4. Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

Yes, pasta in the Instant Pot works.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  • 2 cups water
  • 8 oz spaghetti, broken in half
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Parmesan for serving

Instructions:

  1. Crumble raw ground beef in bottom of pot
  2. Add marinara, water, and Italian seasoning
  3. Place spaghetti on top, pressing into liquid (don’t stir)
  4. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 8 minutes
  5. Quick release
  6. Stir well to combine meat and pasta

Kid tip: Meat breaks into small pieces—perfect for picky eaters who “don’t like chunks”

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5. Chicken Noodle Soup

Comfort food in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cups egg noodles
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients EXCEPT noodles
  2. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 8 minutes
  3. Quick release
  4. Remove chicken, shred, return to pot
  5. Add noodles, select SAUTÉ, cook 6-8 minutes until tender

Freezer tip: Freeze without noodles; add fresh when reheating

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6. BBQ Pulled Pork

Set it and forget it perfection.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 lb pork shoulder
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (divided)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

  1. Rub pork with sugar and spices
  2. Place in pot with broth and half the BBQ sauce
  3. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 60 minutes
  4. Natural release 15 minutes
  5. Shred pork, stir in remaining BBQ sauce

Serve on: Buns, over rice, in tacos, or on nachos

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7. Butter Chicken

Mild, creamy, and kid-friendly.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
  • 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, minced
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine chicken, tomato sauce, butter, spices, garlic, and ginger
  2. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 10 minutes
  3. Natural release 5 minutes, then quick release
  4. Remove chicken, stir in cream
  5. Shred or cube chicken, return to sauce

Serve with: Basmati rice and naan

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8. Mac and Cheese

Creamy, not gluey.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese

Instructions:

  1. Add pasta, water, salt, and butter
  2. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 4 minutes
  3. Quick release immediately (important!)
  4. Stir in milk, cream cheese, and cheddar until melted

Upgrade: Add broccoli during the last stir, or top with breadcrumbs

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9. Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet, savory, and universally loved.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water

Instructions:

  1. Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, and pepper flakes
  2. Pour over chicken in pot
  3. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 10 minutes
  4. Natural release 5 minutes
  5. Remove chicken, stir in cornstarch slurry
  6. SAUTÉ until thickened, return chicken

Serve with: Rice and steamed vegetables

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10. Taco Soup

A family favorite that makes great leftovers.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 1 can corn, drained
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2 cups beef broth

Instructions:

  1. Crumble raw beef in bottom of pot
  2. Add all remaining ingredients, stir
  3. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 10 minutes
  4. Natural release 10 minutes

Serve with: Sour cream, cheese, tortilla chips, and avocado

[INTERNAL LINK: picky-eater-meal-plan]

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11. Pot Roast

Sunday dinner any day of the week.

Ingredients:

  • 3 lb chuck roast
  • 1 packet onion soup mix
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 lb baby potatoes
  • 4 carrots, chunked
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Season roast with salt, pepper, and half the soup mix
  2. Place in pot with broth
  3. Arrange potatoes and carrots around roast
  4. Sprinkle remaining soup mix over vegetables
  5. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 60 minutes
  6. Natural release 15 minutes

The meat will be fork-tender and the vegetables perfectly cooked.

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12. Chili

Dump everything and go.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1 packet chili seasoning
  • 1 cup beef broth

Instructions:

  1. Crumble raw beef in pot
  2. Add all other ingredients
  3. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 15 minutes
  4. Natural release 10 minutes
  5. Stir well to break up meat

Top with: Cheese, sour cream, green onions

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13. Teriyaki Chicken

Sweet, sticky, and perfect over rice.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water

Instructions:

  1. Whisk soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, and ginger
  2. Pour over chicken
  3. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 10 minutes
  4. Quick release
  5. Remove chicken, add cornstarch slurry
  6. SAUTÉ until thickened
  7. Slice chicken, return to sauce

Serve with: Rice and steamed broccoli

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14. Meatball Subs

Game day or weeknight—always a hit.

Ingredients:

  • 24 frozen meatballs
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Hoagie rolls
  • Mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

  1. Place frozen meatballs in pot
  2. Pour marinara and water over top
  3. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 8 minutes
  4. Quick release
  5. Serve on rolls with melted mozzarella

Meal prep tip: Make a double batch of meatballs for easy future dinners

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15. Chicken Tacos

Tender, shreddable chicken every time.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breast
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 tsp cumin

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in pot
  2. Add broth, tomatoes, seasoning, and cumin
  3. Cook HIGH PRESSURE 15 minutes
  4. Natural release 10 minutes
  5. Shred chicken in the liquid

Serve in: Tacos, burritos, bowls, or over nachos

Meal Prep with Your Instant Pot

Double batch strategy:

Make a double recipe, freeze half. Future you will be grateful.

Protein prep:

Cook 4-5 lbs of chicken breast plain on Sunday. Portion and freeze. Add to salads, pastas, and wraps all week.

Grain prep:

Cook a large batch of rice. Use for burrito bowls, stir fry, and sides throughout the week.

FAQ

Can I use frozen meat?

Yes! Add 5-10 minutes to cook time. Most recipes work fine with frozen protein.

Why does my Instant Pot take so long to start?

It’s building pressure—totally normal. Add 10-15 minutes to your mental timeline beyond the cook time displayed.

How do I avoid the burn notice?

Ensure liquid ingredients are on the bottom. Don’t stir sauces into other ingredients. Deglaze if sautéing first.

Can I halve these recipes?

Yes, but keep at least 1 cup of liquid. Cook times usually stay the same.

What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?

Most recipes adapt to slow cooker—cook on LOW 6-8 hours instead.

Conclusion

The Instant Pot shines brightest when you keep it simple. These dump and go recipes require minimal prep, deliver maximum flavor, and make weeknight dinners genuinely doable.

Pick one recipe this week. Dump it in. Walk away. Let the magic happen.

Your Instant Pot has been waiting for this moment.

[INTERNAL LINK: freezer-meals-busy-families]

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