Quick and Easy Instant Pot Recipes That Picky Eaters Love

Do you struggle with nailing down a weekly dinner plan that is quick, easy, and one that impresses even the pickiest of eaters?

I hate putting together a dinner plan. It is my most dreaded task of the week. Every week, I ask my kids if they have any dinner suggestions to help me put together a grocery list. As usual, my husband is either too hungry, not hungry, too tired, too hot, or too busy to think about dinner. My kids, on the other hand, will all suggest the same thing and then unenthusiastically groan when they find out it is not spaghetti or mac and cheese.

I should also note here that it is not because I can not cook that my kids are unenthusiastic about dinner. They are simply the world’s toughest critics when it comes to food. Which is fine, I guess. I like a challenge sometimes.

But let’s be honest, the dinner time rush can get exhausting. You’ve been chasing kids all day, busy at work, running errands, or driving kids to their after school activities. When you come home, you just want dinner to make itself so you can relax. I get it!

My Dinner Time Hero

What if I told you dinner can actually make itself? With the instant pot, of course!

If you haven’t gotten behind the instant pot craze, you really need to. I, myself, already have three different instant pots because they are constantly on rotation. With a little bit of prep and a little bit of time, simple ingredients can turn into a delicious meal.

Aside from being easy to use, my favorite thing about the instant pot is the delayed start option. There have been a couple of times that I throw together my ingredients as I’m running out the door to a kid’s check up appointment, and hit the delayed start for 30 minutes. This stalls the start time on the instant pot so that by the time we get back, dinner is done and ready to be served. So simple! It is even easier than running through a drive-thru for fast food.

Since school is starting back up and everyone is looking for quick and easy weekday meals to make for their family, I have put together my family’s favorite instant pot recipes. These recipes have gotten the approval from some of our pickiest eaters. Enjoy!

10 Family Favorite Instant Pot Recipes

• Beef and Broccoli: The meat in this recipe is so tender and the sauce is to die for! Using another instant pot, I am able to steam some white rice. My only substitution for this recipe is that I like using chili garlic sauce instead of red pepper flakes. Half of a teaspoon or so is enough to add flavor without being too spicy for the kids.
• Lazy Lasagna: A seriously easy dump and go recipe. My kids request this every week! Our favorite sauce to use is Raos Homemade Marinara. Throw together a quick salad or some garlic bread and your dinner is complete!
• Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin: My 8 year old told me I could open my own restaurant and only serve this, that’s how much he LOVES it. This is also great with some air fried brussel sprouts or broccoli and rice.
• Burrito Bowls: I love this recipe because it always yields plenty of leftovers. It is the perfect recipe if you like to meal plan lunches for the week. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
• Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice: This is similar to a favorite chicken broccoli and rice casserole from my childhood. But better, because it doesn’t take nearly as long. Another quick, throw-together recipe when you are limited on time.
• Cubed Steak and Gravy: This is one of those comfort meals I love to enjoy on a cold, winter night. Serve it over rice or some mashed potatoes and devour!
• Chicken Tortilla Soup: I spice this up with a little bit more cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste. There is very little prep and you can even use frozen chicken breast. This makes it the quickest recipe on the list to put together and oh so delicious!
• Beef Stroganoff: Another tender stew meat recipe. One of the things I love most about this recipe is that you can also cook your egg noodles in the instant pot. It is a one dish meal that is easy to throw together and easy to clean up.
• Creamy Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup: This is my husband’s favorite recipe! We also love it using a can of coconut milk instead of regular milk. Serve with freshly baked bread for a meal that truly hits the spot!
• Chicken and Dumplings: Who doesn’t love chicken and dumplings? This one from Pillsbury is definitely a family favorite. Be sure to use the southern homestyle buttermilk biscuits that is listed in the ingredients instead of other variations of Pillsbury biscuits. They have the best dumpling texture for this recipe.

Dinner is Better When We Eat Together

I never underestimate the healing power of a good, home cooked meal. There is something so comforting about filling your belly with delicious food after a long day. I hope these recipes help save you time and are ones your family enjoys too!

What’s your favorite quick and easy instant pot recipe? Please share in the comments so I can continue to add to this list!