Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs: A One-Pot Comfort Classic Made Easy

If you’re craving a comforting, hearty Italian-American meal without spending hours in the kitchen or dirtying multiple pots, then Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is your perfect weeknight dinner. With its tender meatballs, perfectly cooked spaghetti, and rich tomato sauce—all made in one pot—this dish is both convenient and delicious. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to creating this family favorite with your Instant Pot.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Sauce and Pasta:

12 oz (340g) spaghetti (broken in half)
1 jar (24 oz / 680g) marinara or pasta sauce
3 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste
Fresh basil or Parmesan cheese for garnish

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork the meat, as this can lead to dense meatballs.

Using your hands or a scoop, form 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs. You should get about 16–20 meatballs. Set aside on a plate.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs (Optional but Recommended)

Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it heat up. In batches, brown the meatballs on all sides (about 3–4 minutes total). This step adds flavor and improves the texture, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.

Once browned, remove the meatballs and set them aside.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pot

With the Instant Pot still on Sauté, pour in a bit of water or broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits stuck to the bottom. This step is crucial to avoid a “Burn” warning during pressure cooking.

Turn off Sauté mode.