Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe

January 4, 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)

4.73 from 48 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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146 Comments

  • Audrey

    Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I am a new Instant Pot user, and I already love it. I made this spaghetti tonight and it was delicious. I used ground turkey, and added the water right away to boil it instead of frying. Then I followed the recipe as is. Will be making this many more times!

    • Tera Painter

      I would love to know, too! I made this the other night and will never make spaghetti on the stove again. I am smitten. I’m planning on doubling it in my 8qt. tonight. Any thoughts? Thank you!! Xo.

      • Sherry

        It is my understanding that the amount of food in the pot doesn’t affect the cooking time, so it should be the same amount of time.

  • Madeline Whitaker

    For cooking, I pushed the manual button and set it for 7 mins. It came up to pressure. Then the 7 mins began. That was the longest 7 mins. Finally with 2 mins left I turned it off. When I finally opened the lid, the noodles where mush and it was burned on the bottom. The timers min doesn’t equal the clocks min. Please help me to know why. No fast meal.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      It takes time for the instant pot to come up to pressure so it adds extra time that won’t be displayed but once it starts counting down if the minutes are taking longer then a real time minute then it may be defective and I’d consider looking into a replacement.

  • Lynn

    This was my first meal made in my Instant Pot and I am thrilled how easy and good it turned out. I used ground elk (very lean), petite tomatoes with onion and a tomato basil sauce. Next time I will have fresh basil and fresh onions to bump up the flavor. Thank you .

    • Moody Wench

      I hate instant pot. I have one. Opened once, tried once, don’t get the love affair. I went back to long simmering on stovetop or crock pot for dependable outcomes. I wish I never bought this POS appliance.

      • Jaclyn

        Jaclyn Bell

        There are some things I don’t like to make in it but others I love to make in it, I’d give it another chance :).

  • Mo

    Great recipe! We are American Italian, but I found there are times when I need to get dinner on the table quickly and there is no quicker way than using my Instant pot! I tried this recipe and it passed my hubby’s taste test, in fact we thought it was very delicious! I also add extra garlic and Italian seasoning and used Classico Tomato & Basil because although I like their Four Cheese, I find it bland. I keep chopped onion in the fridge &/or freezer in small amounts to make it easier and quicker to add fresh ingredients. It came out perfect and delicious. Thanks so much Jaclyn, for sharing and perfecting the ingredient ratio. Mangia, divertiti-eat and enjoy!

  • Candice

    Made this tonight and it was fabulous. I used a spaghetti that stated 6-9 minutes for al dente came out perfect at 7 minutes. A good weekday meal that is quick, easy and low cost!