Instant Pot Cheeseburger Deluxe Pasta

I found this recipe at a website called pressureluckcooking.com.  I modified the recipe slightly, and the results were amazing.  

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 large red onion, diced and divided in half

• 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (the less lean, the better)

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 3 cups beef broth

• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

• 1/2 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 pound large elbow macaroni

• 1/2 cup thousand island dressing (I used Ken’s Steakhouse)

• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray’s)

• 2 tablespoons relish (optional)

• 1/4 - 1/2 cup diced dill pickles, plus more for topping (optional)

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (optional)

• 1 pound shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot, hit Sauté and Adjust so it's on the High setting. After 3 minutes of the oil heating add half the onion and sauté for 3 minutes, until lightly softened.

2. Add the ground beef and garlic and, using a mixing spoon or spatula, break up the meat until it begins to crumble and lightly brown - about 3 minutes. It shouldn't be fully cooked at this point (that's what the pressure cooking is for!). Do not drain any juices released - we want them in there for more flavor!

3. Add the Worcestershire sauce and deglaze the bottom of the pot to free it of any browned bits. 

4. Add the broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, hot sauce (if using), liquid smoke (if using), seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Stir everything together well.  

5. Add the pasta but do not stir. (Why? Well, there's lots of meat in there already. If you stir the pasta in, you run the risk of clogging the pot when it tries to come to pressure.)  Just smooth it out so the pasta is lightly submerged in the sauce.  

6. Secure the lid, move the valve to the sealing position, hit Keep Warm/Cancel and then hit Manual or Pressure Cook for 10 minutes on High Pressure.  Quick release when done.

7. Add the thousand island dressing, relish (if using), pickles (if using), barbecue sauce, mustard (if using) remaining red onion, and cheddar cheese.  Stir until the cheese is melted into the pasta and serve topped with additional red onion, and dill pickles.

Cook's Notes:

This was an incredibly easy recipe to make.  It also makes a lot of pasta.  I will easily get two meals from this recipe.  You can add pretty much anything you like to this ultimate comfort dish.