Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
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Are you looking for the best instant pot spaghetti and meatballs recipe? Look no further than this easy instant pot pasta recipe that includes homemade meatballs and the option for using frozen meatballs in your pressure cooker, too!
I love a good batch of spaghetti and meatballs. I have made them in my oven (all thanks to my recipe for Freezer Friendly Italian Meatballs) and slow cooker (ie.: my surefire Crockpot Italian Meatballs recipe) for many years. I knew it was time to add to my instant pot pasta recipes with an easy recipe for instant pot spaghetti and meatballs.
Many recipes I see for pressure cooker spaghetti and meatballs call for frozen meatballs. I wanted to share how easy it is to make your own meatballs from scratch while still taking advantage of the time-saving abilities of the instant pot electric pressure cooker.
You may also like: Instant Pot Spicy Spaghetti.
Why make meatballs from scratch?
I prefer making meatballs from scratch for two main reasons:
- I can control the ingredients and avoid unnecessary fillers and preservatives.
- I can customize it to my family’s tastes. If you like a spicier meatball, add some cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes. Want a leaner meatball? Use ground turkey. Want to switch to whole grains? You can use whole wheat bread crumbs. The options are endless.
What if I don’t have time to make my own meatballs?
If you don’t want to make your own meatballs, you don’t have to. Frozen meatballs are perfectly acceptable. You can also make a double or triple batch of meatballs and freeze them. Then, just toss them in frozen and cook them in the instant pot following the directions below.
I discuss freezing meatballs in this recipe for freezer friendly Italian meatballs if you want detailed instructions.
Ingredients in instant pot spaghetti and meatballs
This recipe is relatively simple. Here are the ingredients:
- Meatballs (ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, dried basil, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper)
- Spaghetti noodles
- Store-bought spaghetti sauce or homemade pressure-cooker spaghetti sauce
- Water
What should I serve with spaghetti and meatballs?
We love serving spaghetti and meatballs with a simple green salad and some type of bread. I suggest garlic toast, cheesy garlic bread, or crusty french bread.
Can you overcook meatballs in sauce?
No. As long as your meatballs are not overcooked before being put in sauce, they can simmer in the spaghetti sauce for a long time without overcooking. It just adds to the flavor.
You may also like: Instant Pot Roast Beef
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 24 oz jar spaghetti sauce
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, basil, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Mix together with clean hands until fully combined.
- Form into 1-inch meatballs and place at the bottom of the instant pot.
- Break the pound of spaghetti noodles in half and arrange on top of the meatballs.
- Pour the spaghetti sauce over the noodles and top with the 3 cups of water.
- Close the lid on your instant pot and set to sealing.
- Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Do a controlled quick release - letting the steam out in quick little bursts.
- If the sauce is to thin, set the instant pot to saute and let the sauce cook down for 3-5 minutes.
- Serve instant pot spaghetti and meatballs immediately and refrigerate any leftovers.
Nutrition
We love a big bowl of pasta and this recipe for instant pot spaghetti and meatballs is my new go-to for busy weeknights.
Yummy and super easy! My noodles we’re a little too soft because I got sidetracked with laundry, but that’s my fault. It was still great and we all ate too much!