Instant Pot Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe
A quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for delicious spaghetti and meatballs, perfect for a comforting meal in just 14 minutes. This one-pot dish layers meatballs, spaghetti, and sauce for a fuss-free dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound meatballs (raw, cooked, or frozen)
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
Liquids and Sauce
- 3 cups water or broth
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
- 1 (24 oz) jar spaghetti or marinara sauce
Garnishes
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Layer Meatballs: Place the meatballs at the bottom of the Instant Pot inner liner, spreading evenly to create a base layer.
- Add Pasta: Break spaghetti noodles in half and arrange them in a random crisscross pattern over the meatballs. This helps prevent the noodles from sticking together while cooking.
- Add Liquids: Pour in 3 cups of water or broth evenly over the noodles. Then add the drained diced tomatoes if using. Finally, pour the jar of spaghetti or marinara sauce on top, attempting to cover the noodles as much as possible.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid securely. Set to cook on High pressure for 9 minutes for a fully cooked texture, or 7 minutes if you prefer al dente noodles. Allow the pot several minutes to reach pressure before the cooking time starts.
- Release Pressure: Once cooking is complete, perform a quick pressure release in short bursts to avoid sauce splattering. Open the lid carefully. Stir the contents gently to separate any noodles that may be stuck together.
- Serve: Garnish the spaghetti and meatballs with grated parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella, and fresh parsley or basil as desired. Serve hot, optionally accompanied by bread for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Breaking spaghetti in half helps it fit better inside the Instant Pot and ensures more even cooking.
- Using broth instead of water can add extra flavor to the dish.
- Frozen meatballs can be used directly without thawing, just increase cooking time slightly if needed.
- Be cautious during the pressure release as sauce can splatter, damaging skin or surfaces.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat nicely.