Name: Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb Ground Beef; 1 Onion, diced; 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic; 1 cup Water; 6 oz Spaghetti, uncooked; 14 oz Crushed Tomatoes; 2 cups Marinara Sauce or pasta sauce; 3/4 cup Beef Broth; 1 tsp Oregano; 1 tsp Basil; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1/2 tsp Pepper; 1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper; 1 tbsp Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

This incredible Instant Pot Spaghetti is a game-changer for busy weeknights! In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a hearty, homemade pasta dinner that tastes like it simmered all day. With the perfect balance of savory beef, aromatic herbs, and rich tomato sauce, this one-pot wonder eliminates multiple pans and complicated steps. Simply layer, pressure cook, and serve!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Truly One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together in the Instant Pot, meaning fewer dishes and less cleanup time.
Quick and Convenient: From start to finish, dinner is ready in about 30 minutes with minimal hands-on time.
Family-Friendly Flavor: The rich, hearty taste rivals traditional stovetop spaghetti but requires far less effort.
Perfectly Cooked Pasta: The pressure cooking method gives you tender pasta that’s never mushy or overcooked.
Customize to Taste: Easy to adjust seasonings or ingredients based on what your family loves.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground Beef: Provides rich protein and savory foundation. You could substitute ground turkey for a lighter option.
Onion: Adds essential aromatic flavor and natural sweetness to the meat sauce.
Minced Garlic: Brings that irreplaceable punch of flavor that makes Italian dishes sing.
Water: Creates the steam needed for pressure cooking and helps cook the pasta properly.
Spaghetti: The star of the show! Breaking it into thirds makes it fit perfectly and cook evenly.
Crushed Tomatoes: Provides texture and tanginess to complement the smoother marinara.
Marinara Sauce: Brings depth and complexity without requiring hours of simmering.
Beef Broth: Adds richness and helps cook the pasta to al dente perfection.
Oregano, Basil, Salt, Pepper: These classic Italian seasonings create authentic flavor.
Crushed Red Pepper: Adds a gentle heat that wakes up all the other flavors.
Parsley: Fresh herbs brighten the finished dish and add a pop of color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Protein Options

Try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. For vegetarian spaghetti, substitute a plant-based ground meat alternative or add extra veggies like diced mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers.

Sauce Customizations

Love extra cheese? Add 1/2 cup ricotta or cream cheese when stirring at the end for a creamy version. For a spicier kick, double the red pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño with the onions.

Health-Conscious Swaps

Use whole wheat spaghetti for added fiber (may need an extra minute of cook time). For lower carb options, reduce pasta to 4 oz and add 2 cups of riced cauliflower when stirring at the end.

Flavor Boosters

Try adding 1/4 cup red wine before pressure cooking for depth, or stir in a handful of baby spinach at the end for added nutrition and color.

How to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti

Step 1: Brown the Meat Mixture

Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and brown the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic until the meat is no longer pink. Break up any clumps with a wooden spoon for even cooking. Once browned, drain any excess fat to prevent a greasy sauce.

Step 2: Layer the Ingredients

Break the dry spaghetti into thirds and place it in an even layer on top of the meat mixture. This is crucial – don’t stir it in! Next, pour the crushed tomatoes and marinara sauce over the pasta, creating a protective layer that prevents the pasta from sticking together or to the pot.

Step 3: Add Liquid and Seasonings

Pour the beef broth around the edges of the pot, being careful not to disturb the tomato layer. This technique helps prevent the “burn” notice. Sprinkle the oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper evenly over the top.

Step 4: Pressure Cook

Secure the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to “sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. The pasta will absorb the flavors of the sauce while cooking to perfect tenderness.

Step 5: Release Pressure and Rest

When cooking is complete, carefully perform a quick pressure release. Once the pressure valve drops, remove the lid. Let the spaghetti rest undisturbed for 10-12 minutes – this final resting period allows it to finish cooking and absorb more flavor.

Step 6: Stir and Serve

Give everything a good stir to combine all the layers. The sauce will thicken slightly as you stir. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Prevent the Burn Notice: After browning the meat, deglaze the pot thoroughly by scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove any stuck bits.
Layer Properly: Don’t mix everything together! The layering method is crucial for perfect cooking and preventing pasta from sticking.
Breaking the Pasta: Breaking spaghetti into thirds ensures it fits properly and cooks evenly. Fan it out in different directions to prevent clumping.
Resting Period: Don’t skip the 10-12 minute rest after cooking. This allows the pasta to finish cooking and the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency.
Timing Adjustments: If using thicker pasta like linguine, add 1 minute to pressure cooking time. For angel hair, reduce by 1 minute.

How to Serve

Instant Pot Spaghetti stands beautifully on its own, but the right accompaniments elevate it to restaurant quality. Serve it in wide, shallow bowls to showcase the saucy goodness and make twirling easier.

Classic Pairings

A side of garlic bread is non-negotiable – there’s nothing better for sopping up extra sauce! Make it special by splitting a baguette lengthwise, spreading with butter mixed with minced garlic and dried herbs, then baking until golden and fragrant. A simple green salad with Italian dressing provides refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta.

Upgraded Sides

For a more substantial meal, serve with roasted vegetables tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper. Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or a medley of bell peppers and zucchini all complement the tomato sauce beautifully. A caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil makes an elegant starter that echoes the Italian flavors of the main dish.

Finishing Touches

Set out a variety of toppings for everyone to customize their bowls: freshly grated Parmesan cheese, additional red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves, or a drizzle of good quality olive oil. For an extra special touch, warm the serving bowls before plating – this keeps the pasta hot longer and shows you’ve thought of everything!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This spaghetti keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in airtight containers. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making day-two spaghetti something to look forward to! To prevent the pasta from absorbing too much moisture and becoming soggy, cool it completely before refrigerating.

Freezing

Portion cooled spaghetti into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. For easy grab-and-go meals, freeze individual portions in microwave-safe containers. The texture of the pasta may change slightly upon thawing, but the flavor remains delicious.

Reheating

For refrigerated leftovers, microwave with a splash of water or extra sauce to maintain moisture. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel and heat on medium power, stirring halfway through. For frozen spaghetti, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or use the defrost setting on your microwave.

For a texture closest to freshly made, reheat larger portions in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a few tablespoons of water or extra sauce, stirring occasionally. This gentle method prevents the pasta from becoming mushy. Just before serving, stir in a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan to refresh the flavors.

FAQs

Can I use different pasta shapes in this recipe?
Absolutely! Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle work wonderfully. Keep the same amount by weight (6 oz), but you won’t need to break them. Cooking time remains the same for most standard pasta shapes, though very thin or very thick varieties may need slight adjustments of 1 minute less or more.

Why did I get a burn notice on my Instant Pot?
This typically happens when there’s not enough liquid, or when tomato-based ingredients touch the bottom of the pot. Make sure you’re layering exactly as directed – meat on bottom, uncooked pasta next, then tomato products, with broth poured around the edges. Also, thoroughly deglaze the pot after browning the meat, scraping up all browned bits before adding other ingredients.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely! Skip the ground beef and sauté chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini instead. Use vegetable broth in place of beef broth. You might want to add a tablespoon of soy sauce or a teaspoon of miso paste to achieve some of the umami flavor that meat typically provides.

My spaghetti seems too watery after cooking. What went wrong?
Remember that the sauce continues to thicken during the 10-12 minute rest period after cooking. If it’s still too thin after resting, turn on the Sauté function for 2-3 minutes while stirring constantly. The extra heat will help evaporate excess moisture. Next time, you might reduce the broth by 1/4 cup, especially if your marinara sauce was on the thinner side.

Conclusion

This Instant Pot Spaghetti has revolutionized weeknight dinners in countless homes, and it’s about to do the same for yours! With its incredible flavor, foolproof method, and minimal cleanup, you’ll wonder why you ever made spaghetti any other way. The best part? You’ll have more time to actually sit down and enjoy dinner with your loved ones instead of spending the evening washing multiple pots and pans. Give this recipe a try tonight – your family will think you spent hours in the kitchen, and your secret of Instant Pot magic is safe with me!