This Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce recipe is the easiest way to make a hearty and comforting spaghetti dinner. It's fast, easy and a definite family pleaser!
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Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Ingredients
- Ground Beef
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Minced Garlic
- Tomato Paste
- Sugar
- Dried Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Dried Thyme
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Beef Broth
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Fired Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- Spaghetti Noodles
Substitution Suggestions:
- Ground Beef: Ground turkey or ground Italian sausage are great substitutions.
- Beef Broth: Water can be used along with water mixed with beef bouillon.
- Crushed Tomatoes and Seasonings: If you like you can use your favorite jar of pasta sauce that is equal to 28 ounces.
- Fired Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Any flavor or original diced tomatoes can be used.
- Spaghetti Noodles: Other pastas that have the same amount of cook time can be used. Fusilli, rigatoni, penne or rotini would all be good options.
How to Make Spaghetti with Meat Sauce in the Instant Pot
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté. When it says hot, add the olive oil, ground beef and chopped onions. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
- Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Turn off the instant pot.
- Next, stir in the sugar and dried seasonings: basil, oregano and thyme along with the salt and red pepper flakes.
- Add about ½ cup of broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any bits of flavor and to avoid the burn setting.
- Now, stir in the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with their juices.
- Break the spaghetti noodles in half and place them in crisscross layers on top of the meat sauce.
- Pour the remaining beef broth evenly over top of the noodles.
- Then do NOT stir.
- Put the lid on and set the valve to sealing.
- Set the instant pot to high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once the time is up, do a quick pressure release.
- After the pin has dropped, remove the lid and stir the noodles into the sauce with tongs.
- Serve with some Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
What to Serve with Instant Pot Spaghetti
We love to have a side salad and some garlic bread with our pasta dishes. Here are some of our other favorites that are total winners!
- Roasted Asparagus
- Homemade Garlic Breadsticks
- Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Broccoli
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Tips for Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot. This will help eliminate a burn notice on your pot.
- Layer the pasta in crisscross rows. This helps the pasta not stick and clump together.
- Do NOT stir after you add the broth. Stirring the broth in is going to affect how the noodles cook.
- I like to follow the guide of cooking the pasta one less minute of what the package recommends for al dente. For example, if the box of spaghetti says to boil for 9-10 minutes I'll set the instant pot for 8 minutes and always do a quick pressure release.
- This recipe was tested in an 8 quart instant pot. I will also fit in a 6 quart instant pot. Always make sure you are not adding anything above the max fill line that is imprinted on the inside of the liner of the instant pot.
- It is important to always read the manual instructions before using your appliance.
Storing Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Storing: Store any leftovers in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I think this spaghetti actually tastes better the day after!
Freezing: This spaghetti dish freezes really well. It's a great recipe for meal prepping. Place the cooled spaghetti and meat sauce in freezer safe air tight containers. Label, date and freeze.
Thawing: When you are ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then reheat and enjoy!
Reheating: Reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. You can always add a little beef broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed.
FAQs About Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Using only tomato sauce will give you a burn notice. However, if you add liquid like water or broth with the tomato sauce to dilute it, it can be used.
This recipe calls to cook the spaghetti at high pressure for 8 minutes and then do a quick pressure release. It will take about 5-8 minutes to come to pressure and 3-4 minutes to release pressure.
Tomato sauce needs to be diluted with a liquid such as water or broth so it doesn't burn.
Yes, this recipe uses raw spaghetti. It's one of the benefits of making this recipe.
This recipe was tested in an 8 quart instant pot. However a 6 quart model will work too.
More Delicious Instant Pot Dinners:
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Mac-N-Cheese
- Drip Beef Sandwiches
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chicken Stew
- Beef Tips and Gravy
- Pulled Pork
- Split Pea Soup
- Salsa Chicken Nachos
- Buffalo Chicken Mac-N-Cheese
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
- 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté. When it says hot, add the olive oil, ground beef and chopped onions. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
- Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Turn off the instant pot.
- Next, stir in the sugar and dried seasonings: basil, oregano and thyme along with the salt and red pepper flakes.
- Add ½ cup of broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any bits of flavor and to avoid the burn setting.
- Now, stir in the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with their juices.
- Break the spaghetti noodles in half and place them in crisscross layers on top of the meat sauce.
- Pour the remaining beef broth evenly over top of the noodles. Then DO NOT STIR.
- Put the lid on and set the valve to sealing. Set the instant pot to high pressure for 8 minutes. Once the time is up, do a quick pressure release.
- After the pin has dropped, remove the lid and stir the noodles into the sauce with tongs.
- Serve with Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
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