Name: Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound ground beef; 1 garlic clove, minced; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 cup water (6 quart Instant Pot use 1 cup, 8 quart Instant Pot use 1.5 cups); 1 (16 oz) spaghetti pasta; 1 (28 oz) jar good-quality marinara sauce; 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes; Freshly grated Parmesan cheese; Chopped basil

Jump to Recipe

If you crave a hearty Italian meal but don’t want to manhandle two boiling pots on a busy night, Instant Pot Spaghetti is your new best friend. This dish promises all the satisfaction of slow-simmered spaghetti—tender noodles, savory meat sauce, and classic aroma—in a fraction of the time. Everything cooks together in one pot, meaning less mess and more flavor, with each noodle soaking up those beautiful, rich tomato juices. If you thought classic spaghetti night couldn’t get any better, wait until you taste this easy, cozy twist!

Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about Instant Pot Spaghetti is how a few everyday ingredients meld to create something magical. Each plays a key part in building layers of flavor, creating the signature saucy, meaty, noodle-hugging goodness we all crave.

Olive Oil: Adds a mellow richness and prevents sticking as the beef browns.
Ground Beef: Provides hearty texture and depth; you can sub turkey if desired.
Garlic Clove (minced): Don’t skip this! It perfumes the entire dish with irresistible warmth.
Italian Seasoning: Brings a blend of herbs that give every bite a taste of the Mediterranean.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing all the savory notes.
Water or Beef Broth: Beef broth is extra flavorful, but water works too—this helps the pasta cook evenly.
Spaghetti Pasta: Break the noodles so they fit easily and cook uniformly in the pot.
Marinara Sauce: Pick a jar you love since its flavor leads the charge.
Diced Tomatoes: These add chunkiness and acidity, keeping the sauce vibrant.
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese and Chopped Basil: A final flourish that brightens and completes the dish.

How to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti

Step 1: Sauté and Season the Beef

Start by setting your Instant Pot to the Sauté mode, then pour in the olive oil and start browning the ground beef. Add the minced garlic, a generous sprinkle of Italian seasoning, plus salt and pepper right into the sizzling meat. Stir occasionally and don’t rush; letting the beef really brown brings out fantastic savory flavors and gives the sauce real depth. Once the beef is cooked through, press Cancel to stop the cooking.

Step 2: Deglaze the Pot

Here’s the secret to intense flavor: pour in the water or beef broth, then use a sturdy spoon to scrape any delicious browned bits off the bottom of the pot. This not only prevents the infamous “burn” warning but collects every bit of meaty goodness into your sauce.

Step 3: Layer the Spaghetti

Grab your spaghetti pasta and break it in half so the strands fit easily in your pot. Layer the noodles in a criss-cross or fan pattern—this makes sure they won’t clump into one stubborn pile. Resist the urge to stir!

Step 4: Add the Tomatoes and Marinara

Now pour in the diced tomatoes and about two-thirds of your marinara sauce directly over the noodles. The trick here is not stirring; letting these ingredients rest on top ensures the pasta cooks right, not mushy. It may look odd, but trust the process—the Instant Pot Spaghetti magic is happening!

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Secure the lid, seal the pressure valve, and set your Instant Pot to cook on High Pressure for just 6 minutes. When time’s up, use a quick release to vent all that steamy goodness and open the lid as soon as the pin drops.

Step 6: Stir and Finish

Now, give everything a good stir—the noodles, sauce, and beef will come together perfectly. To make it extra luscious, add the remaining third of your marinara sauce. This final stir ties the dish together, making the texture unbelievably silky. Serve immediately with a shower of Parmesan and plenty of basil for the ultimate Instant Pot Spaghetti experience.

How to Serve Instant Pot Spaghetti

Garnishes

For the finishing touch, always shower your bowls with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a handful of vibrant chopped basil. The cheese adds delightful creaminess, while basil gives an herbal hit and a pop of color—making every serving feel (and taste) just a bit special.

Side Dishes

This Instant Pot Spaghetti truly shines alongside simple sides. A crisp Caesar salad or a big green salad with balsamic dressing brings freshness. Warm, crusty garlic bread is a must for any sauce lover, perfect for sopping up every last drop. And if you want to keep it old-school, a buttery side of roasted veggies never hurts.

Creative Ways to Present

Try spiraling the pasta with tongs onto each plate for a restaurant flair, or serve family style in a big, colorful bowl to let everyone dig in. You could even split it into ramekins for individual portions topped with an extra Parmesan crust, then broil briefly for a delightful melt!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Instant Pot Spaghetti keeps wonderfully in the fridge. Cool it completely, then store in airtight containers for up to four days. The flavors only deepen, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to!

Freezing

If you’re thinking ahead, you can freeze Instant Pot Spaghetti for up to three months. Toss cooled portions into freezer-safe bags, squeezing out extra air to save space. Just know that the noodles will soften slightly upon thawing.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently and heat until piping hot; a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan at the end brings everything back to life.

FAQs

Can I use a different pasta shape for Instant Pot Spaghetti?

Absolutely! Penne, rigatoni, or linguine all work well, though you may need to adjust the cook time slightly—typically just halve the boiling time printed on the package.

What if I want Instant Pot Spaghetti to be vegetarian?

Simply omit the ground beef, and if you’d like, add sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based crumbles. Vegetarian broth makes a great substitute to keep the sauce rich and satisfying.

Is it okay to double the recipe?

You certainly can, as long as your Instant Pot is large enough! Don’t fill past the maximum line, and keep the layering method the same for perfect results.

Can I make Instant Pot Spaghetti gluten free?

Yes, there are plenty of gluten free spaghetti options on the market. Just watch the cooking time closely—these noodles often cook a bit faster, so reduce the pressure time by 1-2 minutes.

Why did I get a “burn” message during cooking?

This usually happens if bits of meat or pasta are stuck to the bottom, or if you accidentally stirred before pressure cooking. Be sure to deglaze thoroughly and avoid stirring after adding the pasta and sauces.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably comforting about sharing Instant Pot Spaghetti with your favorite people—it’s cozy, uncomplicated, and sure to please. Give it a try, and let this easy, flavor-packed version become your new weeknight staple!

Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 21 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe is a quick and easy way to make a delicious pasta dish in your pressure cooker. With savory ground beef, flavorful seasonings, and a rich tomato sauce, this meal is sure to become a family favorite.

Instructions

Prepare the Ground Beef: Press [Sauté] on the Instant Pot. Add olive oil, ground beef, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned. Press [Cancel].
Deglaze the Pot: Add water or broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits.
Layer Spaghetti: Arrange broken spaghetti in a criss-cross pattern without stirring.
Add Sauce: Pour diced tomatoes and ⅔ of the marinara sauce over the spaghetti without stirring.
Cook: Close the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on High for 6 minutes. Quick release the pressure.
Finish and Serve: Open the lid, stir in the remaining marinara sauce, and serve topped with Parmesan cheese and basil.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pressure Cooking
Cuisine: Italian