My amazing Instant Pot spaghetti is an easy and delicious no-fuss family dinner. This is the best pressure cooker spaghetti recipe ever!
Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe
When it comes to feeding my family of four, I often turn to my trusty pressure cooker spaghetti with meat sauce recipe. There’s nothing fancy about spaghetti, but it’s a budget-friendly family meal that I make again and again. What’s better than spaghetti for dinner? Why not make this easy family favorite in minutes using your Instant Pot?
It took me a few tries to come up with the perfect Instant Pot spaghetti recipe, but now that I have it down, I don’t deviate much from this simple recipe.
We prefer to have ground beef in our spaghetti, but you can skip the meat or use ground turkey to lighten it up a bit if you prefer.
I was a little skeptical about making pasta dishes like this one in my Instant Pot.
I thought that the pasta might turn out overdone, but with this recipe, my Instant Pot spaghetti turns out perfectly every single time.
Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti
If you haven’t made the plunge and bought your own Instant Pot yet, I can’t recommend it enough. Click here to see the exact pot I use at home.
It’s so convenient to get home on a busy weeknight and be able to throw a few ingredients into my Instant Pot and have dinner on the table quickly.
In fact, if you’re looking for more easy Instant Pot recipes be sure to check out my easy pressure cooker taco soup and this delicious Instant Pot pot roast.
In an effort to eat less fast food and more home-cooked meals this year, my Instant Pot has been really invaluable. Sure, there’s nothing really special about putting spaghetti on the dinner table, but my family loves it and real food beats fast food every single time in my book.
If you’re looking for more great Instant Pot meals, be sure to check out my perfect pressure cooker pot roast, Instant Pot pulled chicken, and my tasty and budget-friendly Instant Pot taco soup!
How to Cook Spaghetti in an Instant Pot
This is a really basic spaghetti recipe that you can doctor-up to fit your preferences. Here’s your grocery list of ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 12 oz. spaghetti noodles
- 1 (24 oz.) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups warm water
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (optional)
- Grated parmesan cheese (optional)
When it comes to cooking instructions, I have a few tips to help ensure you end up with a delicious batch of Instant Pot spaghetti.
First, be sure you season your beef before cooking and brown it thoroughly. This is going to lock in loads of delicious flavor.
Second, make sure that after breaking your pasta in half, you layer it in the pot using a criss-cross pattern. Even making two or three layers of the noodles going opposite directions will really help in preventing your pasta from sticking while it’s cooking.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure your marinara is room temperature and that you’re using warm water. This will help ensure that your Instant Pot doesn’t have to work harder than necessary to come up to pressure. We’re cooking pasta here, so timing is really everything!
Of course, you’re also going to want to sprinkle on a generous amount of grated parmesan cheese and plenty of fresh basil to garnish this yummy Instant Pot spaghetti.
It’s amazing how fresh herbs can transform a basic family dinner recipe into something special.
If you’re a fan of simple family meals like this one, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram where I share more delicious dinner ideas.
Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Potato Soup
- Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Instant Pot Taco Soup
- Instant Pot Goulash (VERY POPULAR!!)
- Instant Pot White Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Beef Stew (I’m famous for this!)
Instant Pot Spaghetti
This easy Instant Pot spaghetti with meat sauce turns out perfect every time!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 12 oz. spaghetti noodles
- 1 (24 oz.) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups warm water
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (optional)
- Grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Set the instant pot to sauté; add olive oil to the pot. Season the ground beef with salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. When the pot is hot, add the ground beef and brown thoroughly until no pink is left. When cooking is complete, hit cancel on your Instant pot.
- Break your spaghetti noodles in half and layer them over the meat in a criss-cross pattern to help prevent clumping and sticking. Cover with water, diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce. Using a wooden spoon, press, and wiggle gently (don’t break the noodles) to ensure the pasta is well-covered with the liquid. Again, the criss-cross layering of the pasta and this gentle wiggling is simply to ensure that the noodles are well-coated with liquid will help prevent the pasta clumping.
- Replace the lid. Set the Instant Pot to sealing and pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- When cooking is complete, hit cancel and do a quick release on the Instant Pot. Stir the spaghetti. It will thicken as it cools. Serve immediately with parmesan cheese and fresh basil!
Notes
- Using warm or hot water will help your Instant Pot come up to pressure quicker.
- I made this using a 6-quart Instant Pot.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Amount Per Serving: Calories: 444
143 Comments on “Instant Pot Spaghetti”
Turned out a little bitter when I made it, needed to add a bit of sugar but good still, thanks!
Excellent recipe. I made the following changes: add chopped vegetables: 1/2 onion, 2 stalks celery, 1 green bell pepper. Sauté veggies, add 1 lb Impossible ground beef, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp mushroom powder; brown then deglaze with 1/2 cup red wine. Add remaining ingredients in recipe and cook 9 minutes on high pressure. Quick release, then stir before serving. We like our pasta with a lot of veggies and this turned out perfectly. Thank you for posting your recipe!
Before I try this recipe I was wondering if you drained the ground beef prior to adding the rest of the ingredients?
Made this tonight as I worked a 12 hour shift and was short on time ! I shortened the time to 5 min because I used thin spaghetti still turned out great !!!
Love this recipe. Used Rotini instead and my own canned tomatoes. Wouldn’t change a thing.
Can I use a Jar pre made sauce instead of marinara and tomatoes?
Made the Insta Pot Spaghetti tonight for the first time. This will become a regular go to for sure! I doubled the recipe, so we could have leftovers. I would add 3 pounds of meat next time, instead 2 pounds, just so it’s meatier. Delicious!!!
When you doubled this recipe… did you double the water also, so 6 cups of water?
I used my instapot for the first time tonight. I decided to use your recipe for spaghetti. I had it all ready to add the noodles and dang it … .no spaghetti so I grabbed a package of ziti and what luck there was only a half of a box so back to the pantry and grabbed a half of a box of spiral noodles and dumped that in. I set it at the 8 minutes and left the room. Eight minutes later I quick released the steam and guess what? You probably already know ? it was perfect!!!! I’m a happy camper and will try your other recipes. Thank you.
This was my very first instant pot meal I made a few months back (I got mine for Christmas) and it is on our weekly meal rotation now ? the first time I made it it was a little soupy so I added tomato paste and it was perfect. Now i keep it in hand just incase I’m having an off day lol
I made this last night. It was delicious! The only thing I changed was I did not use ground beef. Instead I sautéed mushrooms and onions. Will definitely be making again! Thanks!
I’ve made this recipe several times for my family and it never disappoints! Thanks for sharing :)
This was outstanding. Delicious.
Can you omit the diced tomatoes? My family doesn’t like “chunks”.”
O made this it was good., But… So soupy why?
Hey Dawn, I didn’t find that it was too much liquid, personally. You could try it with a little less water?
If soupy turn on saute function with the lid off to thicken sauce, stir occasionally and watch closely
I’m new to Instant Pot and made this spaghetti for dinner tonight and have to say it was quick, easy and totally delicious! Family loved it and said it could go into the “make again” pile. I used medium ground beef and would defs use the lean kind next time cuz it was a tad oily but didn’t affect he taste. A big hymns up on this one!
Made this last night and it turned out perfect! We all loved it and I also loved how simple it was to make! One pot to clean! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Would you change any of the amounts if using an 8 quart Instant Pot?
This spaghetti looks super yummy. Thanks for sharing this simple and nice recipe.
CHeesy chicken and rice
I would love to make Swedish meatballs!
shredded beef taco’s with all the yummy veggies!
I would like to make a chicken casserole.
Can’t wait to try that one. Spaghetti is there a place where I can run it off on paper
If I have leftovers I usually throw them together and make a casserole.
I usually make something fast like spaghetti
Beef and vegetable soup is my go-to quick night meal. Brown the beef, add either canned, frozen, or fresh vegetables and tomatoes. I use tomato-chicken bouillon and BAM. 20 minutes to a huge pot of soup that gets devoured in one night.
On busy nights we have hamburgers, tacos or chef salads.
On a busy night I like a one pan meal like Sloppy Joe’s
I almost always have frozen meatballs and some garlic butter in my freezer for a quick and easy spaghetti dinner. I freeze the meatballs on a cookie sheet until frozen then vacuum seal in FoodSaver bags so I can heat them up in the pasta water while it is coming up to a boil. Makes it all so quick!
I found Stir Fry is a quick meal for us.
We like to make Almost Cabbage Rolls on busy weeknights
I have made spaghetti in my pressure cooker before, but I didn’t have the “Instant Pot” brand, and I wasn’t following a recipe. I was just winging it, lol. I need to get a new pressure cooker, so I will get me the instant pot this time around! I haven’t made a great many dishes in my pressure cooker yet, but the most memorable thing I have tasted so far, was brussell sprouts with balsalmic vinegar!
Chicken alfredo or spaghetti are two of my favorites.
We like to do pot roasts or tacos on weekday nights.
We got for spaghetti quite often as a “quick go to” and…tacos too!
I would love to make spaghetti, pot roast, soups and shredded beef.
I always have pre-cooked chicken in the freezer or fridge, easy for burritos,tacos,soups..for those hectic days
I used to have an instant pot but it waa broken. I made a lot of pork in it.
Spaghetti and garlic bread
I like to make a meatloaf and baked potatoes.
Oh please share your meatloaf recipe
I love new ways to prepare my favorite meal
Thank you
An instant pot would be a life saver!!!!
I would love to try baked potatoes in the instapot
I keep frozen dough in the freezer at all times. A little oven preheat and quick defrost in warm water and pizza is ready in less than 20 minutes.
I like to make Stir Fry.
Tacos are my go-to for a quick weeknight dinner.
As a single working Mama with 2 jobs, I feel like I am always rushing around trying to get everything done for my family. Spaghetti with ground beef, homemade pepperoni pizza, and baked chicken are my go-to meal recipes I rely on for a fast, healthy, and heart meal on busy weeknights.
We love to have pasta salads.
Skillet Pasta with Squash, Ricotta, and Basil! My family loves it.
I love the instant pot spaghetti!
This looks yummy! I made spaghetti for the first time in at lest a year the other night and I don’t know why I stopped making it! I usually head to a Mexican recipe lately, so many quesadillas! Haha
I love to make stir fry and fettucinne alfredo on busy weekdays.
Love to make tacos on a busy night.
Pasta with bruschetta or pesto from Trader Joe’s!
We have been trying to eat lighter, so I have been making lots of soups! The instant pot is perfect for soup-making!
I would love to make spaghetti with ground turkey as meatballs.
I would like to try to make the Taco Soup recipe for Instant Pot
I like to make calzones or pizza on super busy nights
Chicken casserole and cupcakes are a weekend hit at our house.
On busy nights my slow cooker is my best friend. So simple and easy to throw a roast in there.
Grilled cheese sandwiches with tomatoe and ham
I like to make one pan recipes with enough to have leftovers another night, usually with rice or pasta.
This recipe looks great. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks.
Paul
Grilled chicken salad is always yummy.
Yum! That spaghetti looks so good but I still have yet to try out the instant pot! We love to make shredded fajita chicken for taco/ nacho day. It’s easy to throw together based on everyone just picking toppings!
If you use farfalle or macaroni, it’s much less likely that the pasta will stick.
I haven’t had spaghetti in what seems like ages, I think I’ll make this on Sunday!
I cant wait to try this out..i hope to win cook pot..how fun it will be to make meals in a jiffy..
THANKS
I’m cooking for my parents now so I make simple and mild meals.
I have wanted to try an instant pot but didn’t know which brand to buy. Seeing your recipe and the actual instant pot brand and your video I know it’s time to try one! Looks like life/dinner is made much easier!
This looks amazing! I’ve been intimidated by pasta in the Instant Pot for fear of it turning into an overcooked mess, but I will have to give this a try! Thanks for the recipe! :)
I like to make spaghetti mixed with cooked peppers/onions & tomato sauce.
On a busy weeknight, if I haven’t already set up a meal to go in the slow cooker, I like to fall back on quick soups, salads, and sandwiches.
My family loves taco pasta!
we do tacos and breakfast when we want quick easy dinner.
Spaghetti is always my go to but I also love to make anything that I can put in a casserole. Satifies the whole family!
Looks like a simple recipe that my teenage daughter can make! Thank you for sharing. We love to make various chicken/rice combos often, so switching it up with this world be nice.
On busy nights we do chicken quesadillas or a deli platter or the always popular German pancake! An instant pot would be very helpful to mix it up! And we all love pasta!
I usually do a batch of shredded chicken at the beginning of the week and either do wraps or a chicken taco salad!
For our crazy busy nights, it’s usually lunch meat sliders. I’d love to have an instant pot to help avoid those fast food drive thrus on busy evenings!!
Tacos or pasta seems to be my ‘go-to’ meal. BTW: This spaghetti meal sounds wonderful!
On busy nights i will either plan it out and make a crockpot meal or casserloe or i will do something easy like burgers or hotdogs!
I love recipes that are easy and healthy. Pastas, soups, and casseroles are my go to recipes. This recipe looks fantastic, can’t wait to try it!
I absolutely love spaghetti especially with cheese and mushroom. On a busy weeknight I like to make a quick curry with rice or hot pot with garlic bread. I would really love to use the Instant Pot…it looks amazing and fun to use!
Oh, gosh, I have a friend who talks about what she’s made with her instant pot every time I see her and it makes me so envious. My “go to” dinner is steamed hamburger with green or baked beans and of course a hamburger bun and fresh tomato slices.. I used to make this so often one of my son’s friends thought that was what we ate every night because it seemed we had it every time he happened to be staying for dinner. LOL
My “go to” evening meal is chicken nachos.
Omg! You had me at spaghetti. We love spaghetti so much but have never tried doing it in a Instant por because yea, I don’t have one lol. But this is genius. I would also make chicken noodle soup, homemade carnitas for tacos and probably beer stew.
I like to bake either chicken or pork chops and have mashed potatoes and either corn or green beans.
We love make teriyaki chicken and cauliflower fried rice
On busy weekends for us it is make your own tacos. We think it’s fun and you can use any leftovers for chile! Your spaghetti recipe looks good thats another stand by we have.
I love my instant pot and would love to be able to get my mom one!
How would you adjust the time for different kinds of pasta? Do you have a rule of thumb that works well for you?
Beef stew or pot roast!
I love making baked rigatoni with cheesy garlic bread.
baked parmesan pork chops
We love to have my one pot Chili Mac, homemade mini pizzas and pancakes and sausages.
Pasta is definitely an easy week night meal!
I would love to try this. I do not have an instapot yet but as soon as I do I will make his.
amazing love an INSTAPOT
I’ve only ever used stove top pressure cookers. My sil bought one of these tho and loves it! So many recipes too try lately, I’m so tempted!
This looks so good!
chicken alfredo and spaghetti is our go to week night dinners
I like to make rice and beans
I like to make a big pot of chili with some cornbread on busy week nights.
My go to me Is PARMESAN CHICKEN.
We really like a quick stir fry – we precut some meats, vacuum seal them, and use them with frozen veggies and quick steamed rice for a quick & hearty meal.
That looks great!
I make Oven Baked Parmesan Chicken on busy nights.
I like to make tacos.
On a busy night I like to fix Mac and cheese.
We love one pot meals!! WIsh I had an Instant Pot to make them quicker!! Chili and Stew and Taco soup..Beans and steamed squash. Oh yah and shrimp jambalaya!!
On a busy night I’ll make chili-Mac or a Frito Pie casserole.
The Spaghetti looks so good. I have been looking at Instant Pots, so I just had to enter!
Beef tips, meatloaf, grilled cheese.
Thanks for the chance.
My oldest daughter loves spaghetti of course , and my other two girls love cheese quesadillas and of course the trusted nuggets and mac and cheese :) I would love it to have an instant pot I’ve heard so many great things and with baby #6 on the way , I could use the help, lol !!! Love your recipes :)
I have to keep it easy on the weekends with work and kids… so little time! I usually do something quick like tostadas or burritos. I’ve been thinking about getting an Instapot definitely would make my life easier.
I want to try the Old Fashioned Goulash but first I need to do the spaghetti for my sons! thanks for this contest
I make a stacked enchilada casserole that is very quick, and that everyone really likes.
Anything with eggs is a quick meal for us, as well as pasta dishes.
I’be been following several blogs that recipes for the Instant Pot and would love to have one!! Maybe for Christmas!!
Tacos!
I’ve been doing a lot of Hello Fresh meals this year (and honestly they have been a lifesaver more times than not) with all the things, medical issues and all, that have been going on here, but we love pasta dishes since 1) its pasta and 2) most are really quick to make. Pork tenderloins are great for fast meals too.
I would love to try this, but have not invested in an InstaPot yet! My girls love them. On busy nights one of our favorite dishes is goulash!
This looks delis and so easy. Thanks
I enjoy making empanadas for my family in my deep fryer
Thanks for giveaway and great recipes.
Have an instant pot already, but would love to have another! My favorite dish to make in it is beef ribs. This is my husband’s favorite dish and it’s so much faster and essier inthe instant pot. Instead of making it for him just once a year in the smoker I have made it 3 times this year since I got my instsnt pot. The ribs come out tender and flavorful.
Do not own Instant Pot but that looks delicious! i have made several of your recipes for the slow cooker and all were tasty and kept me coming back for more!
We enjoy making pasta dishes for quick dinners! From spaghetti to gnocchi! This recipe looks great!
I make a veggie chili!
I like to make a taco salad for dinners.
Any seafood fish, shrimp.lon the table easily in 30 minutes.
Also, my roast chicken. Family favorite.
Spahetti is always a popular quick meal. I’m a little under-the-weather today, so tonight will be another quick aqnd easy meal—tacos.
Thanks,I usually make tacos or nachos for quick nights
pasta or hamburgers and fries or takeout
This looks delicious!! I’ll have to try it soon!!
I like to make meatloaf and fried chicken sometimes..We eat a lot of mashed potatoes:)
My go to recipe is tacos. I usually have ground meat and the seasoning to put it together even if I don’t have a seasoning packet. I keep tortillas in the fridge at all times since I have two kids that will eat them any way they are served.
I like to make a simple Korean ground beef and chilli pepper meal :)
Thanks for the great recipe!