There’s something magical about tossing spaghetti, sauce, and meat all into one pot and letting the Instant Pot do its thing. That’s why I love making Instant Pot Spaghetti with meat sauce — it’s cozy, quick, and perfect for those busy nights when everyone’s hungry at the same time. This recipe takes the stress out of dinner while still giving you all the flavor of a simmered-all-day sauce.
I always serve it with garlic bread, and sometimes a side of Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes when my family’s extra hungry. If you’re new to one-pot pasta cooking, this is the recipe to start with. And since it’s part of my Instant Pot Recipes collection, you know it’s beginner-friendly and foolproof.
What You’ll Need
You don’t need much to pull this off, and I bet most of it is already in your pantry. Here’s what I use:
- Spaghetti – I use regular spaghetti, but whole wheat or gluten-free works too.
- Ground beef (or turkey) – Beef gives the richest flavor, but turkey is lighter.
- Onion & garlic – Fresh is best; I always keep a jar of garlic handy.
- Crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce – A good sauce base makes all the difference.
- Italian seasoning – Or just a mix of oregano and basil.
- Beef broth or water – Helps cook the pasta evenly.
- Olive oil – To sauté the onion and garlic.
- Parmesan cheese – My kids always sprinkle extra.
- Fresh basil – Optional, but it makes the dish pop.
Pro tip: don’t skip the broth — it keeps the pasta from sticking. I learned that after one too many sticky spaghetti experiments! For more hearty comfort food ideas, check out my Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs — another family favorite.
Step-by-Step Guide to Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Cooking pasta in the Instant Pot is a little different than on the stove, but once you try it, you’ll never go back. This method saves dishes, time, and stress.
Step 1 — Sauté the aromatics
Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until fragrant. This step sets the base flavor, so don’t rush it!
Step 2 — Brown the meat
Add ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned. Make sure to break it into small crumbles. If there’s a lot of grease, drain it — I skip this if using lean beef.
Step 3 — Add seasoning and sauce
Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce. Stir well so every bite gets coated.
Step 4 — Layer in the pasta
Break spaghetti noodles in half and layer them crisscrossed on top of the sauce. Don’t stir. This prevents clumping — a little trick I learned after testing a few batches.
Step 5 — Add broth and cook
Pour beef broth (or water) over the noodles, pressing them down gently. Close the lid, seal the valve, and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
Step 6 — Quick release and stir
Carefully do a quick release when the timer beeps. Stir everything together until pasta and sauce are combined. Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.
Step 7 — Serve and enjoy
Top with fresh basil and Parmesan. I love pairing this with Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks for a restaurant-style dinner at home.
Pro Tips & Easy Swaps
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter sauce.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Whole wheat spaghetti works, but may need an extra minute of cooking.
- Stir in a splash of cream at the end for a richer sauce.
- Swap beef broth for vegetable broth to keep it lighter.
- Don’t stir pasta before cooking — that’s the Instant Pot rule!
- If sauce is too thin, let it rest 5 minutes with the lid on.
- Frozen ground beef? Just sauté a few minutes longer to thaw.
Serving Ideas & Variations
This pasta is so versatile! Here’s how I switch it up:
- Add sautéed mushrooms for extra umami.
- Stir in spinach just before serving for a veggie boost.
- Try it with Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Make it cheesy — stir in mozzarella or ricotta at the end.
- Serve with garlic bread and a simple salad for balance.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for next-day lunches.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- Clumpy noodles: Layer pasta in crisscross patterns, don’t stir before cooking.
- Too watery: Let it rest 5 minutes after cooking — the sauce thickens.
- Burn warning: Make sure sauce is spread evenly under pasta before pressure cooking.
- Undercooked pasta: Add 1–2 minutes more pressure time next batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just add one extra minute of cooking time in the Instant Pot.
If you’re using lean beef, it’s fine as is. For fattier meat, I recommend draining it so the sauce doesn’t turn greasy.
Yes, you can double it — just don’t go over the Instant Pot’s max fill line. The cooking time stays the same.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
You’ll Also Love
If you enjoyed this pasta, you’ll love these other cozy Instant Pot meals:
- Instant Pot Chili — hearty and full of flavor.
- Instant Pot Beef Stew — classic comfort food.
- Instant Pot Rice — perfect every time.
Looking for more one-pot dinner inspiration? Browse all my Instant Pot Recipes.
Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Set Instant Pot to sauté. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic; cook until fragrant.
- Add ground beef; cook until browned, breaking into crumbles. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed tomatoes.
- Break spaghetti in half; layer crisscrossed over sauce (do not stir).
- Pour broth over pasta, pressing gently to submerge.
- Close lid, set valve to sealing, cook on high pressure 8 minutes.
- Quick release pressure, stir to combine, let sit 5 minutes before serving.
- Top with basil and Parmesan.
