There’s something incredibly comforting about a steaming plate of spaghetti and meatballs, but traditional recipes can take hours to develop those rich, deep flavors. Enter the Instant Pot—your secret weapon for creating this classic Italian-American favorite in a fraction of the time without sacrificing any of the taste.
This Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe transforms what’s typically a labor of love into a doable weeknight dinner. The pressure cooking method infuses the sauce with incredible flavor while cooking the pasta to perfect al dente texture and keeping the meatballs tender and juicy—all in one pot!
Why You’ll Love This
- One-pot wonder: Everything cooks together in the Instant Pot, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your evening.
- Weeknight friendly: Ready in about 45 minutes with minimal hands-on time—perfect for busy families.
- Depth of flavor: Pressure cooking creates the taste of a sauce that’s been simmering all day, in just minutes.
- Customizable: Easy to adjust spice levels, meat options, or pasta types to suit your family’s preferences.
- Crowd-pleaser: Even picky eaters love this classic comfort food dish!
Ingredients
- 1 pound meatballs (raw, cooked, or frozen)
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
- 1 (24 oz) jar spaghetti or marinara sauce
- 3 cups water or broth
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Place meatballs in bottom of Instant Pot inner liner.
- Break spaghetti in half and arrange over meatballs in random pattern to prevent sticking.
- Pour water or broth over noodles, followed by diced tomatoes if using, then spaghetti sauce, covering noodles as much as possible.
- Seal lid and set to High pressure for 9 minutes (7 for al dente). Allow several minutes to come to pressure.
- Quick release pressure carefully in bursts if sauce starts spewing. Stir to separate any stuck noodles.
- Garnish with cheese and herbs as desired. Serve with bread.
Tips & Variations
- Meat options: Substitute ground turkey or a mix of beef and pork for different flavor profiles. For a vegetarian version, try plant-based meatballs.
- Pasta choices: While traditional spaghetti works best, you can use other long pasta like linguine or fettuccine with the same cooking time. For shorter pastas like penne, reduce cooking time by 1 minute.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or meatballs for a kick of heat.
- Make ahead: Form the meatballs up to a day in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
- Sauce thickness: If sauce is too thin after cooking, set to Sauté mode for 1-2 minutes to reduce. If too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
- Burn notice prevention: Make sure to layer ingredients as directed and don’t stir after adding pasta to prevent triggering the burn notice on your Instant Pot.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs with a simple side salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette and some warm garlic bread for the perfect family meal. A glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese pairs beautifully with this dish for the adults at the table.
For a complete Italian-inspired feast, consider starting with a small appetizer of marinated olives or a caprese salad, and finish with a light dessert like lemon sorbet or fresh berries with whipped cream.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta will absorb more sauce as it sits.
- To reheat, add a splash of water or broth before microwaving to revive the sauce consistency.
- The pasta will continue to cook slightly after pressure is released, so aim for al dente doneness.
- For meal prep, this dish freezes well without the pasta. Make extra meatballs and sauce, then freeze separately and cook fresh pasta when serving.
FAQs
Can I use frozen meatballs instead of making them from scratch?
Yes! Skip the meatball-making and browning steps. Add frozen meatballs directly on top of the pasta before pressure cooking and increase the cooking time by 1 minute.
Why did I get a burn notice on my Instant Pot?
This typically happens if the tomato sauce settles at the bottom. Make sure to add ingredients in the order listed, don’t stir after adding the pasta, and ensure you’ve deglazed the pot well after sautéing.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, as long as ingredients stay below the max fill line of your Instant Pot. Keep the cooking time the same, but allow for a slightly longer time to come to pressure.
What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?
Make your own by combining equal parts dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. Alternatively, just use oregano and basil if that’s what you have on hand.
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