“Made this to go with spaghetti and everyone LOVED IT! My son and husband we’re all but wrestling for the last piece haha.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
This easy one-pot meal brings together savory ground beef, pasta, and rich tomato sauce—all cooked quickly and efficiently in the Instant Pot. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty, comforting dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Onion, chopped | ½ |
| Ground beef | 1 lb |
| Garlic powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
| Minced garlic | 3 teaspoons |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tablespoon |
| Pasta sauce | 1 jar |
| Water | 3 cups |
| Spaghetti pasta | 1 lb |
| Diced tomatoes | 1 can |
Instructions
1. Sauté Aromatics & Meat
Set the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Add olive oil and chopped onion, cooking for 3–5 minutes until the onion is softened. Add ground beef, garlic powder, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking the meat apart, until fully browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Remove Meat & Deglaze
Transfer the cooked meat to a separate bowl. Turn off “Sauté” mode. Pour half of the water (1.5 cups) into the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape any bits stuck to the bottom. This step helps avoid triggering the burn warning during pressure cooking.
3. Layer Spaghetti
Break the spaghetti noodles in half. Layer them in a criss-cross (X) pattern over the water in the pot to help prevent sticking.
4. Add Sauce & Remaining Water
Pour the pasta sauce and diced tomatoes over the noodles. Then pour in the remaining water (1.5 cups). Press the noodles gently to ensure they’re submerged, but do not stir.
5. Pressure Cook
Secure the lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Cook on Manual High Pressure (or Pressure Cook High) for 5 minutes.
6. Release Pressure
When the cook time ends, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes. Then carefully turn the valve to “Venting” for a quick release of any remaining pressure.
7. Combine & Serve
Once safe, open the lid and return the cooked meat to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined. Serve hot.
This dish is a simple way to enjoy all the flavor of a traditional spaghetti dinner—without the extra pans or hassle.
