Creamy Irish Pasta with Bacon & Cabbage

That first hiss from the cooker tells you something good is happening. You set your sealing ring just right and get the valve hiss going, and suddenly your kitchen’s filled with that warm, cozy vibe. It’s kinda like the cooker’s own little signal that your dinner’s cooking up good.

Watching that float valve pop up real quick reminds you that you’re about to eat something seriously tasty with far less time hassle than usual. The steam cues escaping, that’s your cue to know the goodies inside are doing their thing. You catch yourself smiling while you wait, kinda like waiting for a surprise that’s gonna make your tummy happy.

Plus, with this Irish Potato Soup, you get bacon and cabbage swimming around in that creamy broth. It’s hearty and comforting in a way that just kinda hugs you from the inside out. The pressure cooker keeps everything tender but not mushy, which is exactly what you wanna get from a soup like this.

What Makes Pressure Cooking Win Every Round

• It shortens cooking time big time, so you get dinner faster without rushing.
• Keeping all that steam locked in means flavors get deeper and ingredients tenderize evenly.
• No need to watch over it much because the pressure cooker handles the heavy lifting.
• The sealing ring works like a trusty gatekeeper making sure no steam sneaks out too early.
• Quick release option lets you stop cooking fast if you gotta make changes or just can’t wait.

What Goes Into the Pot Today

• 2 slices of bacon (turkey bacon works if you want it a little lighter)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 ½ cups cabbage (3 cups coarsely chopped + rest sliced thin for topping)
• 4 medium red or yellow potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 6 sage leaves, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 cups water plus ½ cup Guinness or any dark beer you like
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon fennel seed
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Your Complete Cooking Timeline

First, you gotta cook the bacon right in your big pot 'cause we want those crispy bits and all that bacon fat to help build flavor. Medium heat is your friend here. Once it's done, remove it and crumble it up, but don’t toss that fat cause it’s gold.

Next, add the olive oil, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the pot with the bacon fat. Cook until the onion looks translucent and smells so good it makes your mouth water.

Then toss in the sliced carrots. Cook them about five minutes so they soften a bit but not go mushy. This step adds a little sweetness that works real good here.

Now stir in the coarsely chopped cabbage and potatoes. Gotta get everything mixed so the flavors start mingling before we add the liquids.

Pour in your broth, water, and that dark beer. The pressure cooker’s valve hiss gonna kick in when you seal the lid and set the cooker up. Cook under pressure for about 15 minutes.

After the cooking time, do a quick release and watch how the float valve drops down with that satisfying pop. That means you’re ready to open it up and get mashing.

Use a potato masher on the soup inside the pot to get a creamy texture with chunks left. Stir in chopped sage, salt, and pepper. Serve it hot topped with the thinly sliced cabbage and crispy bacon crumbles. Sprinkle cheddar on top if you want a melty bonus.

Quick Tricks That Save Your Time

• Prep your veggies while the bacon’s cooking. If you chop the onions and slice carrots early, you’re ready to add ‘em straight off.
• Use quick release on the pressure cooker once time’s up to avoid overcooked mushy potatoes. Nobody wants that.
• Crumbled bacon can be pre-cooked and stored in the fridge. Saves time when you wanna whip up this soup fast.

That First Bite Moment

The first spoonful kinda hits you with that warm buttery bacon flavor right up front. You catch the subtle sweetness from carrot and onion dancing alongside smoky notes.

Creamy potatoes mashed just right give you that silky, smooth texture but don’t forget those little tender chunks that make it interesting. The cabbage adds a gentle crunch on top that’s refreshing.

Then comes that hint of sage and fennel seed, just enough to tickle your taste buds without stealing the show. It’s cozy but kinda fancy in its own way.

The cheddar cheese melting slowly on the warm soup adds a comforting richness you can’t help but smile at. Every bite feels like a little hug in a bowl.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh and Ready

After you enjoy your soup, cool leftovers fast by placing the pot in a cool water bath. You don’t wanna leave it sitting out 'cause that’s how freshness disappears.

Store your soup in airtight containers in the fridge. You’ll usually get good eats for about 3 to 4 days this way. Just remember to heat gently so you don’t lose that creamy texture.

If you wanna save it longer, pour soup into freezer-safe containers and freeze. It lasts a few months, but you gotta thaw it slowly in the fridge before reheating for best flavor and texture.

Your Most Asked Questions Answered

Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?
Yeah, turkey bacon totally works. It’s a little leaner and still brings that smoky flavor. Just cook it the same way.

What if I don’t want to use beer?
No worries. Just swap the dark beer for extra broth or water. The soup will still taste wonderfully rich.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Sure, just skip the bacon and use vegetable broth. Add a tablespoon of olive oil for a little extra flavor and consider some smoked paprika to keep some smoky notes.

How do I prevent potatoes from getting too mushy?
Stick to the cooking time and do a quick release right when it’s done. Overcooking is the main culprit of mushy potatoes.

Can I double this recipe?
You can, but watch the fill line in your pressure cooker. Might need to cook in batches or bigger cooker so you don’t block the steam vents or float valve.

What’s a good cheese to use?
Cheddar’s great, but you could also try a sharp white cheese or a mild smoked cheese for a twist. Just sprinkle on top when serving.

For more easy pressure cooker recipes, check out our Ultimate Cheesy Ground Beef Melt, Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta, and Zesty Avocado Egg Salad Recipe for delicious ideas to fit your busy life.