Craving a warm and comforting bowl of soup? Look no further than this delicious Pork and Pasta Soup recipe, made right in your trusty pressure cooker. Packed with tender chunks of pork, hearty vegetables, and perfectly cooked pasta, this flavorful dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds. With the help of a pressure cooker, you can have this comforting meal ready in no time. So, grab your favorite bowl and get ready for a steaming hot serving of this delightful Pork and Pasta Soup.
Ingredients
To make this delicious pork and pasta soup in a pressure cooker, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of pork shoulder, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 stalks of celery, sliced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can of diced tomatoes
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 cup of small pasta (e.g., macaroni, ditalini)
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
These simple ingredients come together to create a flavorful and hearty soup that will warm you up on a cold day. Plus, the pressure cooker helps speed up the cooking process, so you can enjoy this delicious soup in no time!
Instructions
Preparation
Before you start cooking, it’s important to prepare all the ingredients and get everything ready. Here’s what you need to do:
- Set the pressure cooker to sauté mode and let it heat up.
- Add the olive oil to the pressure cooker and let it heat up as well.
- Once the oil is hot, add the pork shoulder cubes to the pressure cooker and cook them until they are nicely browned.
- Once the pork is browned, remove it from the pressure cooker and set it aside for now.
Soup Assembly
Now that the pork is browned and set aside, it’s time to start assembling the soup in the pressure cooker. Here’s what you need to do:
- In the same pressure cooker, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until they become fragrant and slightly golden.
- Add the sliced carrots and celery to the pressure cooker and cook them for a few minutes until they start to soften slightly.
- Return the browned pork shoulder to the pressure cooker, along with any juices that may have accumulated.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and chicken broth, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pressure cooker to release any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
- Stir in the dried thyme, as well as salt and pepper to taste.
- Close the pressure cooker lid and set it to high-pressure mode according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Cook the soup for 10 minutes under high pressure, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
Final Steps
The soup is almost ready, but we need to add the pasta and let it cook until tender. Here’s what you need to do:
- Once the cooking time is up, release the pressure manually or allow it to release naturally, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Open the pressure cooker lid and add the small pasta to the soup.
- Set the pressure cooker to sauté mode again and cook the soup until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Once the pasta is cooked and the soup is seasoned to your liking, it’s time to serve the pork and pasta soup hot and enjoy!
Tips
Here are a few tips to make the most out of this pork and pasta soup recipe:
- Customize the vegetables: Feel free to customize the soup by adding your favorite vegetables. Consider adding peas, corn, or green beans to make it even more nutritious and flavorful.
- Thicken the soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water to the soup before adding the pasta. This will give the soup a creamy and velvety texture.
- Brown the pork in batches: To enhance the flavor of the soup, you can brown the pork shoulder in batches instead of all at once. This allows each piece of pork to develop a nice caramelized crust, adding depth and richness to the soup.
- Garnish with fresh herbs: For an extra pop of freshness and flavor, garnish the soup with some fresh herbs like parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. These little touches can elevate the overall taste and presentation of the dish.
Variations
If you’re in the mood for something different, here are a few variations you can try:
- Pork and Vegetable Soup: To make a lighter version of this soup, increase the amount of vegetables and omit the pasta. This variation is perfect for those watching their carb intake or simply looking to incorporate more veggies into their diet.
- Spicy Pork and Pasta Soup: Add some chili flakes or chopped jalapeños to the soup for a kick of heat. This variation is great for those who enjoy a spicy kick in their meals and want to add a little bit of excitement to their pork and pasta soup.
- Creamy Pork and Pasta Soup: If you’re craving a rich and creamy soup, stir in some heavy cream or coconut milk to give the soup a velvety texture. This variation adds a luxurious touch to the dish and makes it even more comforting.
Storage
If you have leftovers or want to make a big batch of this soup for future meals, here’s how you can store it properly:
- Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. This prevents the formation of condensation and helps preserve the quality of the soup.
- Store the soup in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure to label the containers with the date so you can keep track of when it was made.
- If you have more soup than you can consume within a few days, you can freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. This allows you to have a quick and convenient meal option whenever you need it.
- When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen soup, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this pork and pasta soup recipe in a pressure cooker is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal that will warm you up from the inside out. This recipe takes advantage of the convenience of a pressure cooker, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful soup packed with tender pork, vegetables, and pasta in a fraction of the time it would take to make it on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
With the flexibility to customize the recipe to your liking by adding your favorite vegetables or spicing it up with some chili flakes, you can truly make this soup your own. It’s also a great recipe to make in large batches, as it freezes well and can be enjoyed as a quick and easy meal throughout the week.
So why wait? Gather the ingredients, fire up your pressure cooker, and get ready to enjoy a warm and comforting bowl of pork and pasta soup on a cold day!