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Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe Perfect for One-Pot Meals

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A quick and easy one-pot meal made in the Instant Pot featuring tender spaghetti and flavorful meatballs with a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for meatballs)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
  • 8 oz spaghetti noodles, broken in half
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 16-18 meatballs. Set aside.
  3. Set Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Optional: Brown the meatballs in batches, about 2 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
  5. Pour marinara sauce and water or broth into the pot. Stir to combine with onions and garlic, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
  6. Layer broken spaghetti noodles evenly over the sauce without stirring.
  7. Arrange the browned meatballs on top of the spaghetti.
  8. Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 8 minutes. Allow about 10 minutes for the pot to come to pressure.
  9. Perform a quick pressure release when cooking is done and open the lid carefully.
  10. Gently stir to combine sauce, noodles, and meatballs. If sauce is too thin, set to ‘Sauté’ for a few minutes to thicken. Adjust seasoning as needed and garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not stir pasta after adding; layer noodles flat and place meatballs on top to prevent clumping. Browning meatballs is optional but recommended for flavor and texture. Use quick pressure release to avoid mushy noodles. Deglaze pot after sautéing to prevent burn warnings. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs and pasta accordingly. For vegetarian, replace beef with lentils or plant-based meat and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, spaghetti, meatballs, one-pot meal, quick dinner, easy recipe, pressure cooker, pasta, marinara sauce

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/easy-instant-pot-spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe-perfect-for-one-pot-meals/