If you’re craving the ultimate weeknight comfort dinner that’s hearty, kid-friendly, and ready in a flash, this Instant Pot Spaghetti is your new best friend. Using just a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have a rich, saucy, utterly satisfying spaghetti with perfectly tender noodles—all in one pot and with barely any hands-on time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Marvel: Skip the sink full of dishes—meat, sauce, and pasta all cook together in your Instant Pot for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.
- Foolproof & Fast: No need to babysit boiling pots or worry about overcooked noodles—this is deliciously simple, hands-off spaghetti every single time.
- Family-Approved: Both kids and grown-ups adore this saucy, savory classic, so it’s sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.
- Totally Versatile: Switch up the protein, go vegetarian, or use your favorite sauce—the recipe bends easily to your preferences and pantry.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how easily these humble ingredients come together for a rich, comforting bowl of Instant Pot Spaghetti. Each one brings just what the dish needs—from the meaty savoriness to the perfect pasta texture—so don’t skip the basics!
- Lean Ground Beef or Turkey: Brings hearty flavor and protein to every bite, and browns beautifully right in the Instant Pot for extra depth.
- Water: Ensures the spaghetti cooks just right and allows the flavors to meld without getting too thick or dry.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds herbal warmth and classic aromatic notes—think basil, oregano, and rosemary in perfect harmony.
- Garlic Powder: Gives irresistible garlicky flavor without the fuss of mincing fresh garlic.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and bringing forward all the rich, savory notes.
- Uncooked Spaghetti: Use white or whole wheat—both cook beautifully in the Instant Pot, but remember to break them in half for easier layering.
- Canned Tomato Sauce: Adds body and tang, ensuring the sauce coats every strand, never watery or bland.
- Marinara Sauce: This is where you let your favorite brand shine—good marinara gives your spaghetti its soul, so choose a sauce you truly love.
Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic Instant Pot Spaghetti method, the fun really begins! This recipe is endlessly customizable—swap ingredients or add your favorite extras to suit your mood, pantry, or dietary needs.
- Vegetarian Twist: Skip the meat and sauté a medley of diced onions, bell peppers, and carrots in a splash of olive oil for extra flavor and color.
- Spicy Kick: Add a generous pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a spoonful of Calabrian chili paste with the seasonings for a warming, spicy edge.
- Cheesy Finish: Stir in a cup of shredded mozzarella or a generous sprinkle of Parmesan just before serving for a gooey, melty touch.
- Protein Swap: Use Italian sausage, ground chicken, or even plant-based crumble to shake things up!
How to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Start by activating your Instant Pot’s sauté function and add your ground beef or turkey straight in. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks so you get lovely little browned bits throughout—these will flavor the sauce in the best way! Once fully browned, switch off the sauté function and carefully drain off any excess grease.
Step 2: Layer in Seasonings & Water
Add water directly to the pot along with your Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give everything a really thorough stir, scraping up any delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This helps prevent the dreaded burn notice and ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
Step 3: Arrange the Spaghetti
Break your spaghetti in half and lay it in the pot in a criss-cross pattern, alternating directions so the noodles don’t clump or stick while cooking. Don’t stir! This layering method is the secret to perfectly separated strands.
Step 4: Pour on the Sauces
Pour the tomato sauce and jarred marinara straight over the top of the dry noodles, making sure to cover the spaghetti as much as possible. Resist the urge to stir—just let the sauces blanket the pasta!
Step 5: Pressure Cook!
Secure the lid, set the steam valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure—7 minutes for regular white spaghetti or 5 minutes for whole wheat. The Instant Pot will take a bit of time to come to pressure, but trust the process—your kitchen will smell amazing by the time the countdown ends.
Step 6: Quick Release & Rest
As soon as the cook time is up, do a quick release (carefully vent the steam!), remove the lid, and give everything a good stir. The sauce will look slightly loose at first, but let the pasta sit for a few minutes—the noodles will drink up all that tomatoey goodness and achieve the ideal saucy consistency.
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Criss-Cross Noodles: Always layer your broken spaghetti in alternating directions—this prevents sticking and helps every noodle cook evenly.
- No Stirring Needed: After adding the sauces, resist stirring until after pressure cooking—this keeps the pasta from clumping and helps prevent burn warnings.
- Use Your Favorite Sauce: Choose a jarred marinara with a flavor you love—it really sets the tone for the whole dish and makes your Instant Pot Spaghetti shine.
- Let It Rest: After cooking, let the pasta sit for 3–5 minutes; the sauce will thicken beautifully as the noodles soak it up.
How to Serve Instant Pot Spaghetti
Garnishes
A classic sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is always a hit, but for even more color and zing, try adding chopped fresh basil, a dusting of cracked black pepper, or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil right before serving. A few chili flakes can add pep for those who like a little heat!
Side Dishes
Round out your Instant Pot Spaghetti dinner with a crisp green salad, a platter of roasted veggies, or a warm loaf of garlic bread. Steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or even a bright tomato-cucumber salad all make easy, delicious pairings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, try serving your spaghetti in individual bowls topped “family-style” with a medley of garnishes at the center of the table, or nestle the pasta into a big, colorfully decorated serving platter for a cozy Italian-inspired feast. If you have leftovers, try baking them into a cheesy spaghetti pie for meal-prep magic!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Instant Pot Spaghetti keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors mingle and get even richer overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch especially tasty!
Freezing
For longer storage, portion cooled spaghetti into freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge, and you’ll have a homemade meal ready without any fuss.
Reheating
To reheat, add a splash of water or extra sauce and microwave gently, stirring halfway through, or warm over low heat on the stovetop. This helps revive that perfect saucy texture and keeps the noodles from drying out.
FAQs
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Can I double this Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe?
Absolutely—just make sure not to fill your pot past the max fill line, and layer the noodles as directed. You don’t need to change the cook time, but allow extra time for the pot to come to pressure.
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What’s the secret to preventing the burn notice when making Instant Pot Spaghetti?
Always thoroughly scrape up any browned bits after browning the meat and avoid stirring after adding the sauces—that keeps everything from sticking and minimizes the chance of a burn warning.
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Can I use gluten-free pasta for Instant Pot Spaghetti?
You can, but gluten-free pasta tends to be more delicate. Check the cook time on your pasta’s package and slightly reduce the pressure cook time. Stir gently to avoid breakage, and let it rest a few minutes for best texture.
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Is it okay to use all marinara and skip the canned tomato sauce?
Yes! If you want to halve the recipe or simply use one sauce, a full 25-ounce jar of your favorite marinara will still create a luscious, perfectly saucy Instant Pot Spaghetti.
Final Thoughts
This Instant Pot Spaghetti is one of those recipes that brings a little joy to the table every time—no stress, no extra dishes, just pure, saucy deliciousness on even your busiest nights. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if everyone’s already asking for seconds before you’ve sat down. Enjoy!
Print
Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy Instant Pot spaghetti recipe that delivers a delicious, saucy pasta dish in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is versatile, allowing for variations such as vegetarian options.
Ingredients
Ground Beef or Ground Turkey:
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
Spices:
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta:
- 16 ounces uncooked spaghetti (white or whole wheat)
Sauces:
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 25 ounce jar marinara sauce
Instructions
- Cook Ground Meat: Turn on the Instant Pot sauté function and cook the ground meat until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add Seasonings: Add water, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add Pasta and Sauces: Break spaghetti in half and layer in different directions in the pot. Pour tomato sauce and marinara sauce over the spaghetti. Do not stir.
- Pressure Cook: Close lid, set valve to sealing position, and pressure cook for 7 minutes (white spaghetti) or 5 minutes (whole wheat spaghetti).
- Quick Release and Serve: Release pressure, stir, and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Choose a high-quality marinara sauce for best flavor.
- For a vegetarian option, omit meat and follow adjusted cooking steps.
- Recipe updated in 2018 to use a full 16-ounce box of spaghetti.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
