To get my wheels spinning I went to the market and pushed a wagon (cart/buggy) that’s seen better days down the aisles, toying with the idea of a pasta dish that would be kid and adult friendly. As the wheels made creaky sounds through the pasta aisle, the answer was right in front of me – wagon wheel pasta!
This one features wagon wheels in a tomato-based meat sauce with a smooth, cheesy finish and is made in your Instant Pot in under 20 minutes with less than 10 ingredients. It’s called Chuckwagon Pasta and it’s a bandwagon you’re about to get on.
Instant Pot Chuckwagon Pasta
This one features wagon wheels in a tomato-based meat sauce with a smooth, cheesy finish and is made in your Instant Pot in under 20 minutes with less than 10 ingredients. It's called Chuckwagon Pasta and it's a bandwagon you're about to get on.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 1/2 pounds ground meat (see Jeff's Tips)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 1/2 cups broth of your choice (I used 3 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Better Than Bouillon plus 3 1/2 cups water)
- 3 1/2 cups marinara sauce (I use Rao's or Victoria), divided (1 1/2 before and 2 cups after, preferably at room temperature)
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning (optional)
- 1 pound wagon wheel (or mini wagon wheel) pasta (see Jeff's Tips)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 5.2-ounce package Boursin or herb cheese
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot. Hot Sauté and Adjust so it's on the More or High setting. After 3 minutes of the oil heating, add the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until translucent.
- Add the ground meat and break it up with a wooden spatula or spoon. Sauté for 3 minutes until it becomes crumbled and lightly browned.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and deglaze (scrape) the bottom of the pot to get any browned bits up.
- Add the broth, 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce, and taco seasoning (if using). Stir well. Add the pasta but do not stir. Simply smooth out with a mixing spoon so it's submerged,
- Secure the lid, move the valve to the sealing position, hit Cancel followed by Manual or Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 6 minutes. Quick release when done.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of marinara, cheddar and Boursin. Stir for about a minute until the cheese blends into the sauce. Serve and enjoy!
Jeffrey's Tips
For the ground meat, I use ground chuck (hence the name of the recipe), but you can absolutely feel free to use any you wish, be it ground sirloin, turkey, veal, chicken, pork sausage or a plant-based "meat" (like Impossible or Beyond - which will keep it vegetarian).
If you can't find wagon (or mini wagon) wheel pasta, any short-form pasta (such as macaroni, bowties, gemelli, cavatappi, mezze penne or ziti rigate will do). Same cook time.
Danielle
This looks delicious!! I can’t wait to make it!!
JSG
This is very similar to Spaghetti Sauces I’ve made. – but not in an instant pot. – I brown ground beef, drain the fat, add taco or chili seasoning then mix w/ tomato sauce. I haven’t tried adding Worcestershire sauce yet, though.
I’ve made your cheeseburger pasta, except that I browned the beef in a pan, so I could drain the fat. — I may try that with this recipe.
Angela
This was really delicious. I used cream cheese because didn’t have the Bousin. I followed the recipe exactly as written except for the Bousin.
Angela
Delicious!! I didn’t have Boursin so I used regular cream cheese. Thank you Jeffrey!!
Natalie
I made this recipe using no salt beef broth, low fat cheddar cheese and whole wheat pasta. Although I really wanted to add the Borson cheese I didn’t because I’m trying to keep it a little lower calorie. Still a very satisfying and delicious recipe thank you Jeffrey
Jaime
This one’s a keeper. Only a few ingredients, simple, and delicious. Thanks!
Katie
This was pretty good but very rich. I’m wondering how to make it a bit healthier and less rich.
John Deblock
How many Oz of Cheese is 1 Cup Shredded?
Chad
I made this for the first time last weekend and it was absolutely amazing! The garlic, cheddar, boursin & taco seasoning take this standard pasta & red sauce dish to a whole new level.
Jeffrey
I’m so happy you tried and loved it!