10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Make With Your Instant Pot Gallery

Cooking with an Instant Pot is a unique experience — and, naturally, it takes a little getting used to if you're more accustomed to the more traditional methods of cooking. It's obvious that pressing a few buttons can seem somewhat flat as opposed to sauté flares of onions and deglazed steam puffs that might derail the more seasoned cook to use the Instant Pot. But as a longtime cook myself and a huge advocate for sustaining original French techniques, I have to say: That "Pressure Cooker" function sure has me wrapped around its little cord.

If you're someone who likes to make homemade soups and braise meats for long periods of time, the Instant Pot can make these delicious dishes (which you'd usually need to dedicate a few hours to) that much less laborious. For a butternut squash soup for example, one would normally have to wait about an hour for that lovely butternut squash to get soft and roasted. The Instant Pot can pressure-cook an entire butternut squash in 10 minutes! It's miraculous. I also really like the depth of the pot itself, you can do everything from cooking an entire box of pasta to braising large pot roasts and making lasagna.

So if you've ever had any doubts about whether or not to give in to the trending wave of Instant Pots that have taken over the culinary sphere, I say go ahead and indulge your inner lazy cook. If for nothing else but to experience the joy of only cleaning up one pot! Of course other brands are available, but Instant Pot is one of the best multi-cookers of 2017, all of which have a variety of functions.

There's nothing like a nice hot soup or a good cheese plate with some dip to work up your appetite even more. Here are some of our favorite hearty appetizers that are a cinch to make in your Instant Pot.

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Butternut squash soup was always a staple on my dining room table as a child, and I still really enjoy the comfort of it to this day. This recipe has a nice kick of ginger and is perfect with a dollop of sour cream, or yogurt if you're feeling health-conscious.

For the Butternut Squash Soup recipe, click here.

Ah, the all-time favorite game day snack. Buffalo chicken dip is a lot easier to make than you would imagine, and if you can enjoy it without needing to go to a bar all the better.

For the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe, click here.

The Instant Pot is big enough to make a dinner for as many as 8 people. It's quick, it's easy and you can have it all done in less than an hour for most recipes.

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Pot roast is the perfect cold weekend dish to make. There is nothing quite like the soft juicy vegetables that go along with a pot roast. This recipe uses brisket, but a different piece like the round would work just as well.

For the Brisket Pot Roast recipe, click here.

Chicken adobo is a wonderfully spiced Filipino dish that works very well made in a slow-cooker. It's a perfect dish served with rice and possibly soaked up with a nice piece of pita or baguette.

For the Chicken Adobo recipe, click here.

You can't go wrong cooking meatballs. I mean, who doesn't like a good meatball?! Especially when you can make them in under an hour. If you like a hint of spice, add a little more chili.

For the Healthy Chicken Meatballs recipe, click here.

This four-cheese mac and cheese is the savior to anyone who is having the winter blues. It's perhaps the easiest and most satisfying mac and cheese I've ever made (and my co-workers agree).

For the Mac and Cheese recipe, click here.

I'm a big fan of pork tenderloin. It's soft and delicious, and you can generally serve it to the most highbrow of crowds and they tend to be impressed. This recipe has those wonderful hints of rosemary and thyme to give those lovely savory aromas.

For the Instant Pot Paleo Pork Tenderloin recipe, click here.

This is a dish for the whole family, and it's pretty simple to make. Garnish with a few fresh herbs and a plate of beautifully cooked, tender drumsticks is right what the doctor ordered.

For the Spicy Chicken Drumsticks recipe, click here.

Split pea soup has gotten a bad rap over the years, and I'm determined to change that! This tasty and easy soup is such a great dinner option, and the good news is, if you make a large batch. It freezes very well too.

For the Split Pea Soup recipe, click here.

Spice up your rice, folks, with a few of these tangy ingredients that will give your average rice dishes some va-va-voom. The Instant Pot cooks rice particularly well so there's nothing to fear. Garnish it with a few fresh herbs and you're good to go. If you're more of a breakfast person try these 21 insanely easy Instant Pot breakfast recipes.

For the Vegetarian Rice Pilaf recipe, click here.