Perfect Instant Pot Spaghetti

This recipe calls for simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a profoundly flavorful and comforting meal. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:

• Ground Beef: Opt for lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to minimize excess fat. If your beef has more fat, simply spoon it out after browning to keep the sauce from becoming greasy. You can also substitute with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
• Spaghetti Noodles: Use dry spaghetti noodles. To ensure they fit properly and cook evenly in the Instant Pot, break them in half before adding them to the pot.
• Water or Broth: Essential for creating the pressure and cooking the pasta. While water works perfectly, using chicken or vegetable broth can add an extra layer of depth and flavor to your sauce.
• Canned Tomatoes: A combination of diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes forms the robust base of our homemade-tasting sauce. Using these from scratch elevates the flavor significantly compared to a pre-made store-bought sauce, giving you more control over the taste and ingredients.
• Aromatic Seasoning:
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides a foundational aromatic base.
  • Onion Powder: Adds a sweet, savory onion flavor without the need to chop fresh onions (though you can use fresh if preferred).
  • Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, this is key for that classic Italian-American spaghetti taste.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, enhancing all the other flavors in the dish.

The precise measurements for each ingredient can be found in the detailed recipe box further down this page.

I personally use and highly recommend the 6-quart Instant Pot DUO60, which has consistently delivered excellent results for this and many other recipes. (This is an affiliate link.)

This hearty Instant Pot spaghetti is a complete meal on its own, but pairing it with a simple side can elevate your dinner experience. Here are some fantastic suggestions:

• Crusty Bread: Nothing complements a bowl of spaghetti quite like warm, crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of that delicious sauce. My family absolutely adores my one-hour skillet focaccia, which is quick to make and incredibly flavorful. Alternatively, classic garlic bread or simple cheesy breadsticks are always a hit.
• Fresh Salad: A crisp, refreshing salad provides a wonderful contrast to the rich pasta. You can’t go wrong with a classic Caesar salad or a vibrant, easy-to-make creamy cucumber tomato salad. A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette also works perfectly.
• Green Vegetables: To add some freshness and nutrients, consider serving a healthy green side. Quick and easy options include steamed broccoli, sautéed green beans with a touch of garlic, or elegant roasted asparagus. These vegetables cook quickly and pair beautifully with the rich tomato sauce.

This Instant Pot Spaghetti cooks in just 7 minutes at high pressure. Since the ground beef is browned beforehand and the pasta is added directly to the sauce, this short cooking time is sufficient to achieve perfectly al dente pasta. Remember that the Instant Pot typically takes an additional 10 to 12 minutes to build up pressure before the 7-minute countdown even begins. So, while the active cook time is short, plan for roughly 20 minutes total from sealing to serving.

Yes, you can! If you have a frozen block of ground beef (or even ground turkey), you can quickly thaw it in your Instant Pot before starting the spaghetti recipe. Simply add 1.5 cups of water to the Instant Pot insert, place a trivet, and then set the frozen beef block on top of the trivet. Pressure cook on HIGH for 7 minutes, then perform a quick pressure release. The meat won’t be fully cooked but will be thawed enough to brown. Discard the liquid, remove the trivet, and clean the insert if necessary before proceeding with browning the beef for the spaghetti recipe.

It’s a common concern that some Instant Pot dishes can turn out bland. The secret to a deeply flavorful Instant Pot spaghetti lies in building flavor from the ground up. My go-to technique, which I use in many Instant Pot recipes, is to “bloom” the dried spices. By heating the spices like onion powder and Italian seasoning in olive oil with minced garlic before adding the ground beef, you activate their essential oils, making them incredibly fragrant and flavorful. This infusion process ensures the spices penetrate the meat as it browns, creating a rich base for your sauce. This method works wonders not just for spaghetti, but for soups, stews, and any dish that begins with sautéing aromatics.

Absolutely! Using chicken stock or broth instead of water is an excellent way to add even more flavor to your Instant Pot spaghetti. I recommend opting for a low-sodium variety to better control the overall saltiness of the dish. Remember to adjust the amount of added salt in the recipe to your personal preference, as broth already contains sodium. Vegetable broth is also a great alternative.

You certainly can, and it’s a delicious variation! If you choose to use Italian sausage (mild or hot), you’ll likely find that you won’t need as much additional Italian seasoning, as the sausage itself is typically packed with flavor. Just brown the sausage as you would the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks, and then follow the rest of the recipe instructions. This substitution adds a wonderful zesty kick to the dish.

Encountering a “burn” message can be frustrating, but it’s usually preventable. The most common cause is not thoroughly deglazing the bottom of the pot after browning the meat. Always make sure to add at least ½ cup of water (or broth) after cooking the beef and use a wooden spoon to vigorously scrape off any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Another crucial factor is how you add the tomatoes: pour them gently on top of the spaghetti noodles, keeping them away from the sides of the pot, and do *not* stir them into the other ingredients. Follow these layering instructions precisely, and you should avoid any burn warnings.

Yes, this Instant Pot spaghetti recipe can be doubled if you need to feed a larger crowd. However, to accommodate the increased volume of ingredients, you will need a larger Instant Pot, ideally an 8-quart model. It’s important to note that even when you double the ingredients, the pressure cooking time remains the same at 7 minutes. The Instant Pot uses pressure, not volume, to determine cook time, but a larger pot is essential for adequate space and safety.

Absolutely! Adding vegetables is a great way to boost nutrition and flavor. You can sauté diced bell peppers or onions with the garlic at the beginning. Alternatively, stir in quick-cooking vegetables like spinach or frozen peas *after* the pressure cooking cycle, during the resting period. The residual heat will cook them perfectly. For heartier vegetables like mushrooms or carrots, add them along with the ground beef to sauté.

Leftover Instant Pot spaghetti stores beautifully! Allow the spaghetti to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave (stirring occasionally) or gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much.

Yes, Instant Pot spaghetti freezes exceptionally well, making it a fantastic meal prep option. Once completely cooled, transfer portions into freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little liquid if needed. For best results, pressure cooked pasta can sometimes be slightly softer after freezing and reheating, but the flavor will still be delicious.

For those new to pressure cooking, understanding your appliance is key. Check out my Instant Pot Guide for
Beginners to familiarize yourself with its functions and best practices. If you’ve ever
encountered the dreaded “burn” message, my dedicated post on Instant Pot Burn
Message offers comprehensive tips on how to troubleshoot and prevent this issue from
happening in the future, ensuring a smooth cooking experience every time.

Instant Pot Spaghetti
Recipe