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Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe

4.9 from 141 reviews

This Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to enjoy classic spaghetti with ground beef and a rich tomato sauce, all cooked to perfection under pressure. Ready in under 40 minutes, it combines convenience with comforting Italian flavors, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Sauce and Noodles

  • 1 (24 ounce) jar pasta sauce
  • 1 3/4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon (chicken base)
  • 8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half

Finishing Touches

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • Parmesan cheese, for topping
  • Parsley or basil, for garnish
  • Red pepper flakes, optional for heat

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meat: Turn on the Instant Pot’s sauté function and add olive oil. Once hot and sizzling, add the ground beef along with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Sauté the meat, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and fully cooked through.
  2. Add Sauce and Noodles: Pour the jar of pasta sauce, water, and Better Than Bouillon chicken base into the Instant Pot over the browned meat. Add the broken spaghetti noodles, ensuring they are submerged and tucked beneath the liquid to ensure even cooking.
  3. Cook under Pressure: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. This allows the noodles to cook perfectly and the flavors to meld together.
  4. Release Steam Carefully: Once cooking is complete, place a towel over the steam release vent to prevent splatter, then perform a quick release to immediately release the pressure and stop the cooking process, preventing overcooked noodles.
  5. Let it Rest: Open the lid and notice the saucy texture. Use tongs to gently stir the mixture to distribute the sauce evenly through the noodles. Let the spaghetti rest inside the pot for 10 minutes so the noodles can absorb the sauce and thicken the consistency.
  6. Finish and Serve: Stir in the butter until completely melted, creating a creamy texture. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley or basil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Pair with garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Breaking the spaghetti in half ensures it fits easily in the Instant Pot and cooks evenly.
  • Using Better Than Bouillon adds a depth of flavor to the broth, but it can be substituted with chicken broth or water if preferred.
  • The quick release method is crucial to avoid overcooked, mushy noodles.
  • Resting the spaghetti after cooking helps the noodles soak up the sauce fully for better texture and flavor.
  • Add red pepper flakes to taste for a bit of heat.
  • Butter adds richness and enhances flavor, but can be omitted for a lighter dish.

Keywords: Instant Pot spaghetti, quick spaghetti recipe, pressure cooker pasta, easy spaghetti dinner, ground beef pasta