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a fork holding spaghetti with meat and sauce

Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe

by: DerbyLaneDreams
Quick & easy Instant Pot Spaghetti made in one pot! A 20-minute, family-friendly dinner that’s hearty, budget-friendly, and picky-eater approved.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Thicken before serve 3 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories:
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
 

  • ½ lb 225 g ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 oz 225 g dry spaghetti, broken in half
  • 1 jar 24 oz / 680 g plain pasta sauce
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning optional, but recommended

Equipment

  • Instant Pot (6-quart or 8-quart works best)
  • Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Ladle for serving

Method
 

  1. Turn Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil and cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks (about 4–5 minutes). Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté for 1–2 minutes more until fragrant.
  2. Press Cancel to turn off Sauté mode. Spread the dry spaghetti over the meat in a criss-cross pattern to prevent clumping.
  3. Pour the jar of pasta sauce and the 2 cups of water over the pasta, covering the noodles as evenly as possible. Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Do not stir.
  4. Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
  5. When the cook time is up, perform a quick release of pressure. Open the lid carefully.
  6. Stir the pasta and sauce together gently to combine everything fully. Let sit for a minute or two to thicken slightly before serving.

Notes

Serving Tips
  • Top with freshly grated Parmesan or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.
  • Serve with a side of garlic bread, a green salad, or steamed vegetables to round out the meal.
  • You can also mix in frozen spinach or peas at the end for added greens.
 
Storage & Reheating
Storage - Let leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating - Reheat in the microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between, or warm on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
 
Freezing: Not ideal for freezing due to the texture of cooked pasta.
 
Other Notes:
  • The criss-cross layering of the spaghetti is key to preventing clumps or uneven cooking.
  • Be sure not to stir before cooking—this helps prevent a burn warning.
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