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Home / Recipes / Pressure Cooker / Pressure Cooker Pasta / Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta + Video

Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta + Video

May 4, 2019 By Jill Selkowitz / 2 Comments Updated October 14, 2019 / As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases; see all disclosures.

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Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta is perfect for Sunday brunch. ‘Bagels, Lox and Cream Cheese’ reimagined into a wagon wheel pasta meal, in about 20 minutes!

Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta

Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta

One of the best meals in the world are bagels, lox and cream cheese.

Don’t forget to add thinly sliced onion on top of the cream cheese, then the nova (or lox) and finish it up with a thick slice of beefsteak tomato with a sprinkling of Kosher Salt.

It is what Jews grow up on, but bagels, lox and cream cheese is loved by so many.

 

Cast of Ingredients for Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese

Cast of Ingredients for Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta

Sushi bars make a roll called Philadelphia roll, which uses rice instead of a bagel and raw salmon instead of lox or nova. It’s one of my favorite sushi rolls.

My Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese is just as fantastic as a Philly roll!

Jump to Section

  • Ingredients for Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta
  • What is Lox?
  • What is Nova Lox?
  • What Kind of Pasta To Use?
  • Is Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese Dairy?
  • How Long to Cook Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese
  • Why is Pasta Not Cooked Completely When Using Instant Pot?
  • Can Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese be Eaten Cold?
  • Tips and Tricks for Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta
  • Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese

Ingredients for Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta

  • Shallots or Onions
  • Butter
  • Cream and Water
  • Nova Scotia Lox
  • White Pepper and Salt

Garnishes of dill weed and capers are nice and add yummy flavor.

 

Always Add the Butter to a Hot Pot

Always Add the Butter to a Hot Pot

I love Jewish recipes, clearly because I am Jewish, but also because they are so delicious.

My Instant Pot Noodle Kugel is so delicious. If you love egg noodles, sweet cheese (like you find inside a cheese danish and raisins, my kugel is for you.

My oven method for my Grandma Rose’s Noodle Kugel is also wonderful.

 

Diced Shallots or Onions Saute with Butter

Diced Shallots or Onions Saute with Butter

It is always important to heat up the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker before adding a fat.

This will help the stainless steel cooking pot become non stick.

What is Lox?

  • Lox is a fillet of salmon that has been brined in course salt, which preserves and seasons the salmon.
  • It is actually quite salty and is one of the types of salmon served on a bagel with cream cheese.
  • The word lox comes from the Yiddish word for salmon.
  • A less salty version is called Nova or Nova Scotia.

In Scandinavian countries, lox is known as gravlax.

 

Shallots or Onions Sweating

Shallots or Onions Sweating

This di Oro silicone spatula a holds up well in high heat and the tips will never burn or melt. I adore that it never gunks up since it is just one solid piece of spatula.

What is Nova Lox?

  • Nova or Nova Scotia is cold cured with a milder brine and is less salty than lox.
  • Much of the salmon in New York came from Nova Scotia.
  • The name Nova now just refers to the less salty version of lox, as salmon comes from all over and is also farm raised.

My Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage + Video! recipe also has some roots in Nova Scotia in regards to the corned beef. I bet if you love that recipe, you will love Instant Pot pasta Lox and Cream Cheese just as well.

 

The Time to Season Pasta is During Cooking

The Time to Season Pasta is During Cooking

Whenever you are cooking pasta, you want to make sure to salt the pasta water really well.

This way, the seasonings get into each piece of pasta.

What Kind of Pasta To Use?

Any type of pasta that you want to use is fine. The cook time will depend on the type of pasta and the pasta cooking directions.

I love the wagon wheels pasta because for this recipe, it is like a bagel.

The sauce clings to wagon wheels really well, because of the grooves. This ensures full flavor in every bite. But truthfully, I chose them because they are like little bagels.

 

White Pepper is Nice with the Yogurt Sauce

White Pepper is Nice with the Yogurt Sauce

I like white pepper in this recipe, but black pepper works well too.

I use white pepper in a lot of Asian recipes like my Instant Pot Chinese Hot and Sour Soup. It adds a special flavor. I suppose I should joke about the connection with Jews and Chinese restaurants, but….I think most of you will get it.

You can see that nothing is sticking to the pot. It is because we first heated up the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker first before adding the butter.

 

A Good Dry Wine is Perfect for Deglazing a Cooking Pot

A Good Dry Wine is Perfect for Deglazing a Cooking Pot

When cooking with wine, it is never, ever, ever, ever recommended to use a bottle labeled “cooking wine.” Please if you ever see a recipe calling for cooking wine, run in the opposite direction.

Use any type of good dry white wine that you would enjoy drinking. If you are not a wine drinker, you can ask a friend or at the wine shop.

 

Heavy Creams Holds up Well Under Pressure and makes Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese Very Creamy

Heavy Creams Holds up Well Under Pressure

Is Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese Dairy?

Yes, since butter and cream cheese are dairy and the lox is paerve, Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese conforms to kashrut specifications and would be considered a dairy meal.

Comparing to bagel, lox and cream cheese, which is dairy and Kosher (assuming the milk comes from Kosher cows), the pasta is replaced for the bagel and cream is added.

 

Water to Cook the Wagon Wheel Pasta

Water to Cook the Wagon Wheel Pasta

Isn’t is great to be able to cook the pasta in the same pot as the other ingredients at the same time?

 

Wagon Wheel Pasta Looks Like Bagels

Wagon Wheel Pasta Looks Like Bagels

So, if you close your eyes, you will see little bagel halves.

The wagon wheels pasta really makes Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese so much fun to eat.

 

Wagon Wheel Pasta Cooks Quickly

Wagon Wheel Pasta Cooks Quickly

There will be a little liquid left in the pot. This is the start of our sauce.

How Long to Cook Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese

This depends on the pasta you have chosen to use.

Please refer to the package directions and use my rule of thumb (found below) for cooking pasta.

When cooking pasta in an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker, it is very important to use a very short cook time, so that the pasta is still very firm and not completely cooked.

 

Cream Cheese will Melt into the Hot Pasta

Cream Cheese will Melt into the Hot Pasta

Cream cheese will melt nicely into the pasta. If there are chucks, don’t worry about it. Makes it all the better.

Why is Pasta Not Cooked Completely When Using Instant Pot?

  • It is intentional.
  • The pasta will continue to absorb the liquid after pressure is released.
  • If you add ingredients like cream cheese, cheese, tomatoes, butter, etc., into the hot pot to melt, remember, the pasta will continue cooking.

So, make sure to always under cook the pasta and give yourself time to mix in the rest of the ingredients. This will ensure that your pasta is perfectly al dente after pressure release.

 

Slice Grape Tomatoes in Half

Slice Grape Tomatoes in Half

Cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes stand up nicely in Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta.

They won’t turn to mush and fall a part while they are being mixed through with the pasta.

 

Lox or Nova (mild lox) Should be Added Before Serving

Lox or Nova (mild lox) Should be Added Before Serving

To keep the nice color of the Nova Scotia Lox, wait to add it to the pot until you are ready to serve.

You can also lay it right over the wagon wheel pasta in individual bowls and then serve.

This will keep the lox or nova from cooking and turning an orange color.

I added it in too early, as you will see in the video and the heat cooked the nova. While it was still delicious, my opinion is that it is even better added at the last minute.

 

Looks Like a Mini Bagel, Lox and Cream Cheese

Looks Like a Mini Bagel, Lox and Cream Cheese

A perfect miniature Bagel, Lox and Cream Cheese in pasta form.

Ed is watching closely or maybe he wants that bite I just pulled from the bowl.

As I am tasting this, I am thinking that this recipe would be so good cold.

Can Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese be Eaten Cold?

  • Oh my gosh, yes, yes, yes.
  • In fact, Instant Pot Cream Cheese Lox & Pasta is awesome as a cold pasta salad.
  • Let the pasta cool before adding in the tomatoes and the nova or lox.
  • It is perfect to bring to picnics, parties and after funerals. 

Jews “sit shiva” after a funeral. During this week long time of sitting shiva, we bring tons of food to the home of the person who just buried their family member or close friend.

In fact, we bring enough food to last at least a week, in order to give the person time to go through the stages of losing a loved one; grieving and reflecting without having to cook and worry about food.

A “wake” can take place before or after a funeral. Food is also brought by mourners.

 

Excited to Take a Bite

Excited to Take a Bite

If you prefer the tomatoes to be cooked, allow them to sit in the cooking pot for a few minutes before serving, so they can wilt a bit.

Watch the video below as I walk you through every step and detail of this recipe. I’ve given you a ton of information above, but sometimes a visual of the process helps so you can follow along. I have my own cooking show on my YouTube Channel, so be sure to check it out and subscribe!


Watch my video and then scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe card.

We are kinda silly, huh?

Tips and Tricks for Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta

  1. Use a pasta like wagon wheels, which helps the sauce to cling to the pasta.
  2. Remove cream cheese from refrigerator, so that when it is time to be added, it is not raging cold. This will help the cream cheese to melt faster.
  3. Add the nova or lox right before serving. If you mix it in while the pot is screaming hot, the lox will cook and change color.

 

Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta

Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta

You sure do not have to be Jewish to enjoy Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese.

In fact, even if you do not enjoy lox or Nova, but love salmon, make this recipe.

Add the salmon in with the tomatoes and it will cook and taste similar to smoked salmon.

More Instant Pot Crossover to Pasta Recipes to Make:

  • Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
  • Pressure Cooker Bruschetta Chicken with Zoodles [Low Carb]
  • Pressure Cooker Steak Fajitas Pasta
  • Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken [Pasta Option]

I wish you all l’chaim!

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

  • Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
  • J.A. Henckels Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
  • J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
  • Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
  • Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
  • Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
  • di Oro Living Silicone Spatulas Set
  • Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
  • My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
  • Wagon Wheels Pasta

Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes! 

If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!

Here is your handy printable recipe:

Instant Pot Cream Cheese Lox & Pasta

Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese

5 from 1 vote
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: All types, Funeral Food, Jewish
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes
Pressure Release: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 403kcal
Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 4 ounces Shallots sliced thin
  • 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground White Pepper
  • 1/4 cup Dry White Wine or Vermouth
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 3 cups Fresh Water
  • 1 pound Wagon Wheels Pasta
  • 4 ounces Cream Cheese
  • 8 ounces Nova Scotia Lox cut into strips/slices

Garnish (choose one)

  • 1/4 cup Fresh Dill Weed chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons Capers
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Select Sauté or Browning on Instant Pot and allow to fully heat.
  • Add butter and shallots and sauté for a minute.
  • Add salt and pepper and stir.
  • Pour in wine and deglaze cooking pot.
  • Add in cream and water and mix.
  • Add in pasta and stir to make sure pasta is covered with liquid.
  • Lock on lid and close pressure valve. Cook at high pressure for 2 minutes. When beep sounds, wait 5 minutes and then release the rest of the pressure.
  • Remove lid and stir in cream cheese.
  • When melted stir in halved grape tomatoes and allow to somewhat wilt.
  • Add Nova right before serving. Garnish with dill and capers.

Video

Notes

Pasta Cooking Instructions.

  • Look at the package of pasta and cut the time in half and then subtract 2-3 minutes.
  • This will render pasta that is still on the firm side, but by the time you have melted in the cream cheese, the pasta will become perfect.

Serve Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese with:

  • A green salad
  • Air Fryer Salmon Croquettes {Jewish Mom Style} (if not Kosher)
  • Instant Pot Eggs Benedict (w/IP Hollandaise Sauce) (if not Kosher)
  • Low Carb Brussels Sprouts Alfredo Sauce [Video] (if not Kosher)

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 403 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 56mg19%
Sodium 1324mg58%
Potassium 301mg9%
Carbohydrates 47g16%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 670IU13%
Vitamin C 2.7mg3%
Calcium 95mg10%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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PIN this Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta!

Instant Pot Pasta Lox and Cream Cheese is perfect for Sunday brunch. 'Bagels, Lox and Cream Cheese' reimagined into a wagon wheel pasta meal.

Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta

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May 4, 2019

About Jill Selkowitz

Hi, I'm Jill. I'm a mom to Tonkinese cats and enjoy sharing restaurant quality meals, easily made at home. With my easy step by step photos and directions, new cooks will be able to follow along and cook like rock stars.

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Hi, I'm Jill, cooking enthusiast. Here you'll find top chef quality recipes with step by step photos and directions. More About Me

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