Just 5 simple ingredients and 9 minutes are needed to make this delicious dish. Grab the parmesan cheese - and get ready to dig in!
This simple recipe for Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is going to turn you into a huge pasta fan! Not only are the meatballs cooked to perfection, but the noodles are delicious as well! It's time to take pasta night to a whole new level with this simple pressure cooker pasta!
What I love about this one-pot meal is that it's crazy fast and crazy good. Plus - there are so few dishes to have to clean up at the end! I call that a win every single time!
When you need a fast and simple recipe that everyone will love, this spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a perfect choice. It's a fun and easy way to get dinner on the table fast.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
Anything Italian is delicious, but there's just something special about whipping up spaghetti and meatballs. The tender pasta paired with the juicy meatballs is what it's all about!
- Simple ingredients that take little effort
- An easy way to make a lot of food to feed a lot of people
- Perfect for reheating for leftovers the next day
Recipe Video
Recipe Ingredients
Spaghetti - I like to use spaghetti noodles, but you could also use angel hair spaghetti as well.
Olive oil - Avocado oil or coconut oil will work too.
Water - To help cook the noodles and prevent the ingredients from burning.
Tomato sauce - Jarred tomato sauce is great, but you can also make my Instant Pot Tomato Sauce recipe!
Meatballs - I like to make my own Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs, and add them to this recipe but store-bought are fine to use also.
How to make Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Grab the easy ingredients and get started. If you're making your own homemade meatballs, do that recipe first.
Step One: Add 8 ounces of spaghetti into the Instant Pot.
Step Two: Add the olive oil and 3 cups of water.
Step Three: Add 1 cup of tomato sauce.
Step Four: Add 1 pound of meatballs and stir everything together.
Step Five: Put on the lid and pressure cook at high for 6 minutes.
Step Six: Once the time has passed, do a quick release.
Serve, add some parmesan cheese - and enjoy!
Variations
Add cheese - Everyone knows that spaghetti and cheese go perfectly together! Parmesan is the most common, but you can easily top it with anything that you'd like.
Add veggies - Needing a simple way to get the kids to eat more veggies? Add mushrooms and onions!
Use healthy pasta - There are great options to get more nutrients into your day. Cauliflower pasta, whole wheat pasta, or even veggie pasta are great options.
Change up the type of meatballs - You can always change the meat of the meatballs and use turkey, chicken, beef, or blended mushrooms and other veggies. However you want to make your meatballs, do so.
Helpful Tips
- To keep the noodles from sticking together, add some salt to the pasta and water portion. This is a great trick that really works.
- There will be quite a bit of liquid in the Instant Pot once all the ingredients are cooked. Use a slotted spoon to get as many noodles and meatballs out with minimal liquid.
How to store
Put the leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also add it to the freeze for up to 4 months. Many people are worried that you can't freeze spaghetti, but you actually can. Just be sure to let it cool completely before adding it to a storage bag or container.
How to serve
This hearty meal is great as is. If you want to add some vegetables, you can always add a fresh salad on side.
Moreover, some of my favorite foods to pair with spaghetti are:
For even more ideas, check out What To Serve With Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Recipe FAQs
Americans are the ones that call this dish spaghetti and meatballs. In Italy, it would likely be compared to beef ragu.
The key to making meatballs taste better is to be sure that you're cooking them in a good recipe. A good sauce or seasoning will flavor frozen meatballs well.
Yes, you can overcook meatballs. If you leave them in a hot liquid or sauce, they're going to keep cooking. This will cause them to become hard and lose moisture.
Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
Love the idea of making more pasta in the Instant Pot? Here are some other amazing pasta recipes that you're sure to love.
For more ideas, check out the Instant Pot Pasta Recipes page.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment below. Thanks!
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
- 8 oz Spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 lb meatballs
Instructions
- Add 8 ounces of spaghetti to the Instant Pot.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the pot plus 3 cups of water.
- Add 1 cup of tomato sauce and 1 pound of meatballs.
- Put on the lid and pressure cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- To keep the noodles from sticking together, add some salt to the pasta and water portion. This is a great trick that really works.
- There will be quite a bit of liquid in the Instant Pot once all the ingredients are cooked. Use a slotted spoon to get as many noodles and meatballs out with minimal liquid.
- Feel free to add mushrooms and onions to the sauce.
Followed exactly your instructions and BURN came on
Why??
It's possible something was sticking to the bottom of the pot. After adding everything, it helps to give it a quick stir with a spatula to make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom of the pot.