Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe

Published January 4, 2018. Updated October 20, 2018

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Instant Pot Recipes are quickly becoming a new way to cook for many of us so it only makes sense that we need an Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe. If you ask me this is one of the best, easy ways to use the Instant Pot.

You get a rich herbed spaghetti sauce covering tender noodles and it’s finished with plenty of parmesan. You just can’t go wrong here! We all love spaghetti and this may just become your new favorite way to make it!

Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe

A Homestyle Spaghetti for Your Instant Pot Recipes Collection

I don’t know maybe that was just me but I got an Instant Pot from my mother-law for Christmas a year ago then I didn’t start using it until the summer because I thought there would be this learning curve or something.

They really are so easy to use and they’re pretty much idiot-proof. I love how they cut cooking time, especially with meat. (If you’re interested in getting one btw you can purchase on Amazon HERE).

Last year I mostly made these shredded chicken tacos in my Instant Pot. I’ve also made “baked” potatoes and rice and a few other things.

I want to use it more this year so I thought I’d try out one of my go-to weeknight dinners – classic All-American spaghetti in it.

Instant One Pot Spaghetti

Ingredients for This Spaghetti

  • Olive oil
  • Lean ground beef
  • Garlic
  • Salt and pepper
  • Dry spaghetti
  • Fresh basil
  • Jar four cheese marinara sauce
  • Canned petite diced tomatoes
  • Warm water
  • Parmesan

Scroll below for full printable recipe.

How to Make This Recipe in the Instant Pot

  • Set instant pot to “saute”. Once it reads “hot” add 1 tsp olive oil then break beef into large chunks and add to instant pot along with garlic and a few pinches of salt.
  • Let beef brown, stirring and breaking up beef occasionally, until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Press the “cancel” button to turn instant pot off.
  • Break spaghetti noodles in half. Add about 1/6 into an even layer over beef, then add another 1/6 going the opposite direction into an even layer. Repeat this pattern with remaining noodles four times.
  • Add in marinara sauce, basil, tomatoes and water and season lightly with salt and pepper (don’t stir).
  • Seal the lid of the Instant Pot, making sure the valve is set to “sealing.” Press the “manual mode” button and set to 7 minutes.
  • Once time is up, use the quick release method according to manufactures instructions. Once sputtering stops open lid, remove basil and toss spaghetti with a fork.
  • Let rest two minutes (this will allow some of that extra liquid to soak in and the noodles to cook through). Sere warm with parmesan and basil leaves or chopped basil ribbons.

Instant Pot Spaghetti shown here after cooking in the instant pot garnished with fresh basil

Shortcut for an Easy Dinner

I like to take the shortcut here of a using a jar of marinara sauce instead of making it from scratch which would add more ingredients and more steps. It’s so good this way though I don’t think anyone will notice it wasn’t from scratch.

The past few years one of my go-to spaghetti sauces is Classico’s Four Cheese but you can swap that for your personal favorite.

Add Basil to the Marinara for More Flavor

However I think they don’t add enough basil and garlic to any jar of spaghetti sauce I’ve tried so I always add more. If you don’t want to pay for the fresh basil then just add some dried basil, maybe 1 tsp.

And finish it off with lots of parmesan. And more basil. Because you can never have too much basil on your spaghetti.

Instant Pot Spaghetti shown here in a single serving in a white pasta bowl with fresh bread and a side salad in the background.

What Should I Serve with This Spaghetti?

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

4.74 from 49 votes

Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe

Super easy and super fast classic spaghetti with meat sauce. A great way to use your Instant Pot and clean up is a breeze! It may just become a family favorite!
Servings: 5
Prep5 minutes
Cook25 minutes
Ready in: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Set instant pot to "saute". Once it reads "hot" add 1 tsp olive oil then break beef into large chunks and add to instant pot along with garlic and a few pinches of salt.
  • Let beef brown, stirring and breaking up beef occasionally, until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Press the "cancel" button to turn instant pot off. 
  • Break spaghetti noodles in half. Add about 1/6 into an even layer over beef, then add another 1/6 going the opposite direction into an even layer. Repeat this pattern with remaining noodles four times (this doesn't need to be perfect! It's just to reduce sticking).  
  • Add in marinara sauce, basil, tomatoes and water and season lightly with salt and pepper (don't stir). 
  • Seal the lid of the Instant Pot, making sure the valve is set to "sealing." Press the "manual mode" button (or high pressure on other pressure cookers) and set to 7 minutes.
  • Once time is up, use the quick release method according to manufactures instructions (basically just stand back and flick the valve). Once sputtering stops open lid, remove basil and toss spaghetti with a fork.   
  • Let rest two minutes (this will allow some of that extra liquid to soak in and the noodles to cook through). Sere warm with parmesan and basil leaves or chopped basil ribbons. 

Notes

*Use spaghetti that lists 9 - 11 minutes to al dente.
Parmesan cheese not listed in nutritional info.
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 445 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 56mg19%
Sodium 892mg39%
Potassium 1156mg33%
Carbohydrates 64g21%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 31g62%
Vitamin A 830IU17%
Vitamin C 17.7mg21%
Calcium 76mg8%
Iron 5.5mg31%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Recipe source: inspired by The Salty Marshmallow

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149 Comments

  • Mary

    I just made this recipe for the first time. I substituted turkey for the beef. This is the best spaghetti ever. Thank you.

  • Carol

    Jaclyn:
    I used 1lb. Trottole past(a semi twisted macaroni noodle that is curled like a snake, dense like rigatoni), 2 jars of sauce, 2 cans of cut tomatoes and 3 1/3 cups of water. High pressure for 12 mins. then did a quick release. These were the only adjustments I made to the recipe because of the type of pasta. Probably could have done 11 mins. pressure. But it was great! Thanks for a great recipe.

  • Carol

    Have you ever used pene or other tubular pasta and if so how did you adjust your recipe?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I haven’t, my only worry with that is that the liquid may not cover because of the higher volume.

  • gary e

    Manual on my cooler is high pressure setting. Set for 7 min. Keep getting “burn” on display

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Sorry not sure why that is happening. With different brands I guess maybe it works a bit differently. Maybe a lower pressure a little longer?

  • Kelly

    Love this recipe, have made it before! Quick question. If I want to double do I need to increase cooking time as well? If so, do I double the time or only slightly? Thank you! We are headed to the beach with our IP & I wanted to have extra for leftover lunch ;-)

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I haven’t tried doubling yet but I believe others have with success, noted in the comments above.

  • Terry Bell

    I can’t find my owner’s manual and need some advice. I followed your instructions and did everything up to hitting “Cancel” and then hit m”Manual.” The display showed 30 and the recipe you posted said 7 minutes so when I went to add the 7 min.the display increased to 37 min. Is the “30” just a preset default number? I saw your instructions said cook time was 25 min. I wouldn’t think 7 min would be enough time to build pressure and am afraid 37 min will turn my angel hair pasta to mush. I also added meat balls san Italian sausage
    I’ve got to starving teen grandsons… lol
    Thanks!
    Grandma Terry

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      The total cook time includes sauté time, the time to come up to pressure, the time to pressure cook and the time for steam to release. So you only need to manually set for the 7 minutes pressure cook. Hope you enjoy.

  • Linda

    This was really good, and totally simple! It was so nice not to need a skillet, pot, colander…plus no water to boil. I’ll never again make spaghetti the old way. Thank you!

  • Angie

    My family isn’t a big fan of tomatoes. Should I increase the amount of water if I leave them out? Also, I have tons of bell peppers in my garden. Can I add them?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Yes I’d add a little more liquid to make up for that that’s in the can of tomatoes if omiting, I can’t say exactly how much I’d guess you’d want maybe another 1/3 cup water or vegetable juice. And yes you can definitely add bell peppers as well. Hope you enjoy!