Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

 

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce: Classic Comfort Food in a Fraction of the Time

There’s something timeless about a big bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce. It’s comforting, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser. But let’s be honest—between browning the meat, boiling the pasta, and simmering the sauce, traditional spaghetti night can leave you with a sink full of dishes and a longer cook time than you’d like.

That’s where the Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce comes in—a game-changing way to get this beloved dish on the table fast, with just one pot and minimal cleanup.

If you're looking for a weeknight dinner hero, this is it.

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🍝 Why Make Spaghetti in the Instant Pot?

The magic of the Instant Pot is in how it locks in flavor, cooks quickly, and reduces mess. By pressure-cooking the pasta with the sauce and meat, every noodle absorbs flavor, and everything comes together into one perfectly cohesive dish.

No separate pots. No waiting for water to boil. Just layered, rich flavor—fast.

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🥩 What You’ll Need

Here’s a look at the simple, pantry-friendly ingredients:

• Ground beef (or turkey, sausage, or a combo)

• Onion and garlic – for that rich, aromatic base

• Spaghetti noodles – broken in half to fit the pot

• Crushed or diced tomatoes – for a hearty sauce

• Tomato sauce or marinara – adds depth and moisture

• Beef broth or water – helps cook the pasta evenly under pressure

• Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes – to bring everything to life

• Olive oil – to sauté the meat and prevent sticking

• Optional: grated Parmesan or fresh basil for garnish

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⚙️ How to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

1. Sauté: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add olive oil, then brown the ground meat with chopped onion and garlic until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Deglaze: Add a splash of broth or water and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom (this prevents the dreaded “burn” notice).

3. Layer: Break spaghetti noodles in half and layer them over the meat. Do not stir. Pour the remaining broth over the noodles, then top with crushed tomatoes and sauce.

4. Pressure cook: Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. (Use 6 minutes for a firmer bite, or 9–10 if you like softer pasta.)

5. Quick release: Carefully release pressure when done. Stir everything together gently to combine.

6. Finish: Let the pasta sit for 2–3 minutes to absorb any extra liquid. Stir in cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Your Instant Pot spaghetti is a full meal on its own, but here are a few ideas to complete the experience:

• Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks

• A crisp green salad with Italian dressing

• A glass of red wine or sparkling water with lemon

• Top with Parmesan, parsley, or crushed red pepper

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🕒 Why You’ll Love It

• ✅ One-pot dinner = fewer dishes

• ✅ Ready in 30 minutes or less

• ✅ Kid- and freezer-friendly

• ✅ Customizable – use whole wheat pasta, swap in veggies, or make it spicy!

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for the week, Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce is your go-to recipe for easy, delicious comfort food.

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📝 Final Thoughts

Spaghetti night just got a major upgrade. Thanks to the Instant Pot, what used to be a multi-step, multi-pan process can now be done in one pot with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

It’s the same cozy dish you know and love—just faster, simpler, and smarter.