How to Make Pasta in a Rice Cooker

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Rice cookers have a ton of benefits that make life in the kitchen easier. For one, cooking rice is less of a hassle when you have a rice cooker at home. All one has to do is put the rice in the pot, add the appropriate amount of water, press a button, and let the rice cooker do all the work. Easy, right?

While most households primarily use a rice cooker to cook rice, this appliance can actually do more than that. Most rice cookers are capable of cooking pasta too! The cooking process is straightforward. If you want to know how to cook pasta in your rice cooker, read this article thoroughly.

Can I Cook Pasta in My Rice Cooker?

Yes, you absolutely can! Whether you have a basic rice cooker or a multi-function rice cooker, you can use it to cook pasta with much ease. Basic rice cookers are the best for the job, but some models will have an aluminum pot that the pasta noodles can stick to. There are some multi-function rice cooker models that have their own pasta button or a cooking pasta preset which will do the job for you.

However, if your multi-functional rice cooker doesn’t have a specific pasta preset, fret not because you can still cook pasta with it. The Quick Cook mode will be your go-to in this case.

How to Cook Pasta in a Rice Cooker

Most people use a pot over the stove to cook pasta as it’s a tried and tested method. That isn’t the only way to cook pasta though. A rice cooker works just as well in cooking pasta. It’s very useful, especially if you live in a dorm room or in a place that doesn’t have a stove. Follow the steps below to learn how to make pasta using the rice cooker method.

First, use a measuring cup to measure your desired amount of pasta. A general guideline is to use 56 grams (or 2 ounces) of dry pasta per serving.
Add water to the rice cooker pot. Remember to use the correct amount of water. Keep in mind the 4 cups of water per 226 grams (or 8 ounces) of pasta rule.
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt to the water.
If you’re using ingredients such as olive oil, garlic, oregano, onions, and other herbs and vegetables, add them to the water in the rice cooker.
Add the measured pasta to the rice cooker. Ensure that it is submerged in the water.
Close the lid of the rice cooker and press the Cook button to start the cooking process. You may also use the “White Rice” setting.
Set a timer according to the recommended cook time for your pasta type. Most pasta varieties take around 9 to 12 minutes to cook.
Open the lid and stir a few times to keep the pasta noodles separated. If your cooker will not stay on the Cook mode without the lid open and switches to the Keep Warm mode, simply press the Cook button again after you put the lid back on.
Once the rice cooker clicks off or switches to Keep Warm mode, taste the noodles. If you think they’re underdone, add a splash of water, stir, and keep it cooking for a few more minutes.
Once you’re sure that the pasta is cooked to perfection, carefully remove the inner pot from the rice cooker. If you prefer your pasta dry, drain the excess water.
Plate the pasta and serve hot with your favorite sauce or toppings.

Recipe Tips

Remember that pasta doubles in volume when cooked. Make sure that your rice cooker can handle the amount of cooked pasta.
You can cook a variety of pasta types in a rice cooker. Spaghetti, penne, macaroni, fettuccine, any kind of pasta you want for your recipe. Just make sure to adjust the water level and the cooking time according to the specific type of pasta you’re cooking.
For shaped pasta like penne, elbows, bow ties, and the like, put the amount of dry pasta you desire and then add water that covers 1/8 to 1/4 inches above the pasta. If you want it al dente, just cover the pasta with water.
Adding salt to the pasta water is necessary as it evenly seasons the pasta inside out.
If you want your spaghetti or pasta dish to be drier, simply drain the excess water.
For spaghetti or other long pasta, break it in half and cook it the same way as the shaped pasta.
Remember to stir occasionally while the pasta is cooking in the rice cooker. This way, you can prevent the pasta from sticking to the inner pot of the cooker and ensure even cooking.
Aside from salt, you can use different seasonings to give your pasta some flavor. Try adding basil, thyme, parsley, or red pepper flakes to give your dish some heat.
While the rice cooker cooks pasta, take the chance to prepare a sauce or topping. You can make a classic marinara sauce, creamy Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, or saute some vegetables to complement your pasta dish. Just look up the recipe for your favorite sauce.
You can turn your pasta into a complete one-pot meal using your rice cooker. Look for a recipe that’s specially made for making pasta sauce in a rice cooker.
If your cooker switches to Keep Warm when you open the lid to stir the pasta, don’t fret. Just click the Cook button again after you’re done stirring.
You can’t use an Instant Pot with this method as it doesn’t have the same auto-shut-off principle as a rice cooker.

Final Note

Cooking pasta in a rice cooker is a convenient and efficient way to whip up a delicious meal. Because a rice cooker provides a consistent and even heat distribution, you can be sure that your pasta is cooked perfectly each time.

Furthermore, using a rice cooker allows you to attend to other tasks while the pasta cooks as you won’t have to stand by it the entire time. You’ll just have to stir once in a while. Once that’s done, you can add sauce or your favorite toppings to the dish before you serve it. With this method, you can now make all the pasta recipes that you want without a stove.

Looking for more rice cooker recipes to impress your family? Browse through our recipe collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook noodles in my Aroma rice cooker?

Yes, you can make noodles in your Aroma rice cooker. Pasta such as spaghetti, fettuccine, bow ties, and angel hair can be cooked in your Aroma cooker. You can also cook glass noodles, rice noodles, and other types of noodle recipes.

Can you boil water in a rice cooker?

Yes, you can.

What can I cook in a rice cooker?

You can cook a lot of dishes in a rice cooker. Aside from rice, you can make pasta dishes, noodles, steamed vegetables, fish, chicken, and other meats. You can even make bread and cake with your cooker.