50+ Pot in Pot Recipes for the Instant Pot
Over 50 Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot Recipes that use a smaller pot inside your pressure cooker to steam foods or to cook multiple ingredients at once for fast dinners, desserts, and more!
What is Pot-in-Pot Cooking?
The pot-in-pot cooking method refers to recipes in which a liquid is added directly to the bottom of the pressure cooking pot and a second pot is placed on a trivet above the liquid. You can use this method to cook foods only in the second pot or you can use this method to cook one food directly in the cooking pot and a second dish in the pot suspended above.
Recipes that use pot-in-pot cooking can be sweet or savory and vary from everything like pastas and separate sauces to things like cheesecakes or anything using a steamer basket.
New to Pot-in-Pot Cooking? We have a whole post that goes into detail about How to Use the Pot in Pot Method with your Instant Pot or other brand of pressure cooker. We’ve also made a helpful step-by-step YouTube video about pot in pot cooking.
Equipment needed
At the most basic level, pot in pot cooking uses the trivet that comes with your pressure cooker and a oven-safe pan that can fit inside your pressure cooker with room for the steam to come up around it.
The recipes below each use some of the following items:
- Low trivet (about 0.5-inches)
- Tall trivet (around 2.5 to 3-inches)
- Stainless steel steamer
- Silicone steamer basket
- 7×3-inch cake pan
- Small bundt pan (6 cup)
Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot Recipes
✅ These pot-in-pot recipes will work in any brand of electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.
55+ Pot in Pot Instant Pot Recipes
These 55 Instant Pot recipes use the pot-in-pot method to cook multiple items at once and steam delicious meals, desserts, and sides!
Instant Pot Side Dishes
Rosemary New Potatoes
These herb-infused sliced potatoes make the perfect starchy side to any protein.
Instant Pot Bread Stuffing
This hearty bread stuffing is great for Thanksgiving, but we love it all year long.
Perfect Pot-in-Pot Pressure Cooker White Rice
Here's the simplest method to make fluffy white rice in your Instant Pot.
Easy-Release Hard-boiled Egg Loaf
This egg loaf Instant Pot hack lets you cook the eggs cracked so you can skip the ice bath and peeling!
Instant Pot Citrus Monkey Bread
This sweet and sticky pull-apart bread will disappear fast, whether you serve it for brunch or a snack.
Pot-in-Pot Entrees
Quick Instant Pot Cornbread
Make golden and fluffy cornbread using a bundt pan, a trivet and your Instant Pot.
Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin
This is a favorite holiday (or any day) side dish with a crispy, cheesy topping.
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
This is a cheesy and tasty chicken and rice dinner speckled with poppy seeds for crunch and flavor.
Instant Pot Quick Penne Pasta and Homemade Marinara Sauce
Make this kid-friendly dinner with one pot using the pot-in-pot method.
Pressure Cooker Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers with Chipotle Lime Sauce
You'll love the gentle heat and colorful veggies in this stuffed pepper recipe.
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Creamy and cheesy with pops of bright crisp-tender broccoli, this Instant Pot Chicken & Broccoli Casserole is a satisfying and easy weeknight meal.
Shepherd's Pie
Instant Pot Shepherd’s pie can be made with ground beef or lamb, vegetables, and topped with crispy mashed potatoes for the perfect comfort food recipe.
Instant Pot Eggplant Parmesan
Easy Instant Pot Eggplant Parmesan has tender eggplant and penne pasta in a flavorful tomato sauce with a crisp cheesy crust.
Instant Pot Caprese Breakfast Casserole
This Caprese Breakfast Casserole features sundried tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil for a satisfying make-ahead breakfast.
Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Creamy Chicken and Broccoli over Rice
If you're looking for a fast weeknight dinner with one pot, veggies, protein, and grains, this is the perfect recipe!
BBQ Bacon Instant Pot Meatloaf
This BBQ Bacon Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot meatloaf is covered in smoky bacon and smothered in tangy barbecue sauce! You have to try this one!
Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Crustless Meat Lovers Quiche
This egg pie is fully loaded with sausage, bacon, and ham for a hearty start to your day.
Pressure Cooker Cranberry Baked French Toast
Make a sweet treat for breakfast with crusty bread and a bright fruit compote.
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Pasta
This cheesy pasta casserole is crisped up with the air fryer lid.
Pressure Cooker Stuffed Green Pepper Casserole
Deconstruct your classic stuffed peppers into a cheese-topped casserole packed with vegetables.
Mini Cheese Stuffed Turkey Meatloaves with Mushroom Gravy
Mini meatloaves made with turkey and topped with creamy homemade mushroom gravy make a crowd-pleasing dinner.
Instant Pot Egg Salad (with an Egg Loaf)
Creamy, traditional Egg Salad Sandwiches—made in an egg loaf in the Instant Pot—make a crunchy, tangy, and satisfying lunch with mayonnaise, sour cream, and fresh chives.
Instant Pot Desserts
Pressure Cooker Raspberry Orange Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is a sweet treat that has a place at breakfast or dessert.
Pressure Cooker Nutella Rolo Cheesecake
Turn your favorite childhood dandy into a caramel-filled cheesecake.
Instant Pot Cheesecake Pops
Instant Pot Cheesecake Bites are the perfect make-ahead holiday treat! Smooth, creamy cheesecake balls dipped into rich milk chocolate and decorated with your favorite toppings.
Classic Instant Pot Cheesecake Recipe
A classic pressure cooker cheesecake recipe that you can serve as-is or top with any flavor you'd like!
Pumpkin, Caramel, Pecan Cheesecake
This light and creamy pumpkin chesecake is made in the Intant Pot and topped with homemade two-ingredient caramel sauce and buttery pecans.
Pressure Cooker Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
This easy peanut butter cup cheesecake is made in an Instant Pot and loaded with chocolate, candies and a thick and creamy cream cheese filling.
Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Caramel Pecan Cheesecake
A creamy brown-sugar filling baked on top of a shortbread pecan crust and topped with decadent caramel and toasted pecans.
Pressure Cooker Triple Chocolate Layered Cheesecake
What's better than one layer of chocolate? Three, of course!
Pressure Cooker Blue Cheese Cheesecake with Strawberry Spinach Salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Cheesecake for dinner, anyone? Try this savory blue cheese cheesecake with a strawberry spinach salad and drizzled with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette.
Pressure Cooker Robin Egg Mini Cheesecakes
These adorable cheesecakes are served in miniature mason jars and topped with Easter candies.
Pressure Cooker Heart Shaped Cheesecake
For Valentine's Day, or any special occasion, make a stunning heart-shaped cheesecake!
Pressure Cooker Samoa Cheesecake
This caramel and chocolate topped cheesecake tastes like a Girl Scout Cookie!
New York Style Cheesecake
This stunning New York Cheesecake is an easy Instant Pot dessert with a caramel and cookie crust and a thick, dense cheesecake filling.
Black Forest Cheesecake
A decadent Pressure Cooker Black Forest Cheesecake with a fudgy brownie bottom topped with a creamy smooth cheesecake and served with a sweet, tart cherry compote.
Pressure Cooker Candy Corn Cheesecake
A luscious, easy-to-make Pressure Cooker Candy Corn Cheesecake sweetened with honey. This fun tri-colored Halloween dessert is the perfect Halloween treat.
Layered Strawberry Cheesecake
Layered Instant Pot Strawberry Cheesecake is a classic dessert that's dressed up with white and pink layers and a delicious made-from-scratch strawberry topping that is SO easy to make in your pressure cooker!
Instant Pot Mini Cheesecake Bites (Silicone Mold Recipe)
Make perfectly sized Instant Pot Cheesecake Bites in a silicone egg mold with a graham cracker crust and cream cheese custard filling for the perfect sweet treat.
Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake
Tangy Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake with meyer lemons, a shortbread cookie crust and cream cheese filling is a light, fluffy and tart pressure cooker dessert to love.
Instant Pot Tropical Mini Cheesecakes
These cute Instant Pot Mini Cheesecakes are a fun tropical dessert made with coconut cookies, a fluffy coconut–cream cheese filling, and a sweet pineapple topping.
Peppermint Cheesecake
This festive and sweet Instant Pot Peppermint Cheesecake is our take on the Cheesecake Factory treat perfect for holiday parties.
Red Velvet Cheesecake
This Red Velvet Cheesecake is an easy Instant Pot recipe made with a stunning red and white swirl on top and a subtle chocolate flavor.
Instant Pot Creme Brulee
Creme brulee is a classic custardy dessert topped with a crunchy sugar crust that's always fun to crack through with your spoon!
Pressure Cooker Berries and Cream Breakfast Cake
This pretty berry-packed cake tastes like a blueberry muffin.
Steamed Carrot Pudding Cake
This steamed cake is served with a glossy and sticky-sweet sauce you won't be able to get enough of.
Pressure Cooker Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
Turn your favorite muffins into a one-pot bundt cake jam-packed with chocolate chips.
Instant Pot Apple Crisp
Instant Pot Apple Crisp is packed with cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a crumbled oatmeal-brown sugar topping.
Instant Pot Chocolate Cake for Two
Instant Pot Chocolate Cake for Two is a decadent layered treat with olive oil chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting perfect for a first birthday party.
Instant Pot Coconut Bundt Cake
Moist, springy Instant Pot Coconut Bundt Cake is easy to make with boxed cake mix, sour cream, coconut extract, and a buttery coconut glaze.
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