This Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is a total winner, and it’s incredibly easy to whip up! When you're short on time but still want a home-cooked meal, this dish with spaghetti noodles, pasta sauce, and meatballs will quickly become your go-to. It’s a crowd-pleaser that both adults and kids will love!
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Why This Recipe Works
- One-Pot Wonder: Pressure cooker spaghetti requires just one pot, simplifying cooking and cleanup.
- Family Favorite: Cooking spaghetti and meatballs is a crowd-pleaser that kids and adults love.
- Efficient and Flavorful: The Instant Pot spaghetti recipe infuses the pasta and sauce with robust flavor.
📋 Ingredients
- Italian Style Frozen Meatballs: Add a hearty, protein-packed element to the dish.
- Olive Oil: Adds a richness to the dish and helps to release the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Flavorful Tomato Sauce: The base of any good spaghetti sauce, it imparts a robust, tangy flavor that ties all the other ingredients together.
- Sweet Onion (chopped): Add a layer of sweetness and complexity to the sauce, while also providing a satisfying crunch.
- Minced Garlic: Is essential ingredient that adds an aromatic kick that elevates the overall flavor profile of the spaghetti.
- Italian Seasoning: This blend of herbs brings the classic Italian flavors to your spaghetti, enhancing the taste of the tomato sauce and meatballs.
- Sweet Basil: Fresh or dried, basil brings a sweet and slightly peppery flavor that is quintessential in Italian cuisine.
- Ground Oregano: An earthy, pungent herb that adds depth and a touch of spiciness to the dish.
- Brown Sugar: Cuts the acidity of the tomato sauce, creating a more balanced flavor.
- Garlic Salt: A dual-purpose ingredient that provides both the savoriness of salt and the robust flavor of garlic.
- Seasoned Pepper: More than just a spice, seasoned pepper can add a nice heat and complexity to the sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Used as the cooking liquid in the Instant Pot, it adds a savory depth of flavor and helps to cook the spaghetti to perfection.
- Spaghetti: Provides a satisfying, chewy texture and mild flavor that serves as the perfect carrier for our rich, hearty sauce.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Use Homemade Meatballs: If you don't want to use ready made frozen meatballs, you can make your own. Combine ground turkey or ground beef with grated carrot, bread crumbs, onion and egg to form meatball patties. You can even add a little parmesan cheese to your homemade meatballs.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Spaghetti And Meatballs?
Here are the step by step instructions for this spaghetti and meatball recipe with homemade pasta sauce.
Step One: Place the Olive Oil in the Instant Pot, and add meatballs, and stir.
Step Two: Break the Spaghetti in half, and add to the Instant Pot, on top of the meatballs.
Step Three: Pour the Tomato sauce in a bowl, add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and add the Italian seasoning, sweet basil, Oregano, brown sugar, garlic salt, and seasoned pepper. Stir well to mix.
Step Four: Pour the Tomato sauce over the Spaghetti and Meatballs. Add the chicken broth, and press noodles under the liquid, making sure the spaghetti is under the sauce. or submerged and not above the liquid.
Step Five: Place the lid on the Instant Pot, and make sure the pressure valve is set to 'SEALING'. Press the 'MANUAL' button, and set the time for 9 minutes. When the Instant Pot is done, it will beep and go to OFF.
Step Six: Let the Instant pot release the pressure naturally. When all the pressure has been released, and the float valve is down, remove the lid to the Instant Pot, and stir gently.
Related: Quick Release Vs. Natural Release and Keep Warm
Step Seven: Let the Spaghetti sit for a bit, and the sauce will thicken. After about 10 minutes, you're ready to serve.
- Hint: Fresh herbs like parsley or basil add a burst of flavor. Don't be shy about using garlic either – fresh minced garlic or garlic powder can elevate the taste.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Layer Ingredients: To prevent the spaghetti from sticking together or getting mushy, break the noodles in half and lay them in a criss-cross pattern over the meatballs. Pour the sauce and water directly over the noodles, ensuring they are fully submerged but not stirred together.
- Set the Correct Time: Cook under high pressure for half the time recommended on the pasta box. For example, if the box says to cook the pasta for 10 minutes, set your Instant Pot for 5 minutes. This ensures the pasta is perfectly al dente.
- Quick Release to Avoid Overcooking: Once the cooking time is up, use a quick release to immediately stop the cooking process. This prevents the pasta from becoming overcooked and mushy.
💭 FAQs
Certainly! You can make fresh meatballs by combining ground meat, soaked breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper, shaping into balls.
A mix of ground beef and pork gives the best flavor and texture. You can also use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, but adding breadcrumbs and an egg helps keep them moist.
Use breadcrumbs, eggs, and grated cheese as binders, and avoid overmixing the meat. Chilling the meatballs before cooking also helps them hold their shape.
Both work! Pan-frying gives a crispy, browned crust, while baking (at 400°F for about 20 minutes) is easier and less messy. You can also simmer them directly in sauce for extra tenderness.
Allow the meal to cool before storing. Store the sauce and pasta separately. Use sealed containers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Spaghetti And Meatballs:
- Side Salad: Enhance the robust flavors of Instant Pot spaghetti and meatballs with a delightful salad featuring a mix of fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette for a crisp and refreshing pairing.
- Garlic Bread: Serve some warm, buttery garlic bread for a delightful crunchy contrast that pairs flawlessly with the goodness of saucy pasta.
- Steamed Asparagus: Elevate your meal with a side of vibrant and tender steamed asparagus, adding a touch of freshness and nutritional balance.
- Instant Pot Bolognese: Double down on the Italian flavors by offering a rich and savory Instant Pot Bolognese sauce on the side for those who crave an extra burst of tomatoes goodness.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Spaghetti And Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound Frozen Meatballs
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3 cups Tomato Sauce
- 1 Onion Diced
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Sweet Basil
- 1 teaspoon Ground Oregano
- 2 ½ Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 teaspoon Seasoned Pepper
- 3 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 pound Spaghetti
Instructions
- Place the Olive Oil in the Instant pot, and add meatballs, and stir.
- Break the Spaghetti in half, and add to the Instant Pot, on top of the meatballs.
- Pour the Tomato sauce in a bowl, add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and add the Italian seasoning, sweet basil, Oregano, brown sugar, garlic salt, and seasoned pepper. Stir well to mix.
- Pour the Tomato sauce over the Spaghetti and Meatballs. Add the chicken broth, and press noodles under the liquid, making sure the spaghetti is under the sauce. or submerged and not above the liquid.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, and make sure the pressure valve is set to ‘SEALING’. Press the ‘MANUAL’ button, and set the time for 9 minutes. When the Instant Pot is done, it will beep and go to OFF.
- Let the Instant pot release the pressure naturally. When all the pressure has been released, and the float valve is down, remove the lid to the Instant Pot, and stir gently.
- Let the Spaghetti sit for a bit, and the sauce will thicken. After about 10 minutes, you’re ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Yum! My kids love spaghetti can't wait to try this one!
Yummy
oh this is a super tasty recipe for sure!
Yumm. Love spaghetti and meatballs. Not tried ip yet. Thanks
We love eating pasta. It's pretty cheap and there's so much you can do with it. I love this recipe! I wonder though. How do you keep the sauce from getting too watery?
we only put enough for the sauce to cook and the rest turns to steam... if you follow the recipe then it won't get watery.
Never yet tried spaguetti in instant pot - just may have to do this one. Thank you - Also would love to win the give-away
Have yet to do spaghetti and meatballs in the instant pot but it's on my to try list
If I wanted to use jar spaghetti sauce how much would I use?
I'd add the whole jar!