As a working mom, I arrive home around 5:00 and everyone is ready to eat dinner at that very moment (including me). I used a crock pot for many years, but by the time we got home, it was overcooked and dry. The Instant Pot is changing the way we do dinner, one perfectly pressure cooked meal at a time. After passing the learning curve of Instant Pot ownership, I bought a second pot. I use one or both of them for nearly every meal!
On the weekends, I can chop up veggies to save time on prep work during the week. However, most weeknights, I do end up just prepping and then cooking the whole meal once we walk in the door. Thanks to my Instant Pot, I can have dinner on the table in roughly 30 minutes from start to finish. If your kids are old enough and ready to start assisting in the kitchen, there are prep work tasks that can be dealt out. Depending on their age, they could measure, pour, chop, drain, or even just learn how to open the canned items. During these cold weather months, I have enjoyed treating my family to warm comfort foods using my instant pot.
Here is a roundup of Instant Pot soups and stews my family has deemed keepers!
1. Minestrone Soup
This easy soup is packed with fresh, filling ingredients. Chopping veggies the night before is an easy way to dump and walk away. The flavor is so good that my kids forget about the fact that they are eating a variety of vegetables that normally might make them frown. I top their bowls with some lightly salted oyster crackers. Those can be the secret weapon to get them to warm up to idea of a bowl full of so many vegetables.
2. Chicken Noodle Soup (with Frozen Chicken)
Yes, making this classic soup in such little time with frozen chicken really can taste as good as ever. It is full of flavor and one for the whole family to savor! We slice and butter a baquette to soak up this goodness.
3. Wendy’s Copycat Chili
This is a definite regular in our rotation. It makes a big batch that can provide leftovers or the ability to freeze for an even easier meal down the road. We love baking an easy loaf of classic Jiffy cornbread in the oven while the chili pressure cooks.
4. Chili Mac
Here is a kid favorite in our home. It may sound weird, but we have even topped hot dogs with this for something different. When I make this in my 8 quart (versus the 6 quart), I add a couple minutes to the cook time in order to best cook the noodles.
5. Beef Stew
With minimal ingredients, this stew is easy to make, but big on flavor. The unique smell of beef stew is something my kids had to get used to, but the taste convinced them that it was one to enjoy. We pair this one with slices of buttered baguette as well.
If you have yet to break in your Instant Pot or need some new soups and stews to add to your rotation, give these favorites a try! Your stomach and your family will thank you.
What are your favorite Instant Pot recipes?
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