10 Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti

For those nights when you need something fast and easy turn to this 10 minute Instant Pot Spaghetti. Superbly seasoned beef and tender noodles all cook together in a delectable sauce and is ready in no time.

I love Italian food, it’s comfort food. Make a complete Italian inspired meal with Creamy Zuppa Toscana, decadent Panzanella Salad, Homemade Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread and finish off with Traditional Italian Cookies. Buono!

Instant Pot Spaghetti

Instant Pot cooking changed my life. All of a sudden I could cook dinners in half the time and all in one pot. It’s one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. While instant pot spaghetti may not be truly Italian, it’s Italian inspired. It’s the perfect meal when you feel like life has been a hot mess that day. It’s a hands off, no fuss, everyone will love it meal.  Spaghetti is a perfect go to meal, it’s one everyone loves and it doesn’t take that much time. And in the instant pot it’s even faster as it all cooks together. The pasta, meat and sauce, all in one pot. You are going to love it. Rich and hearty it will fill you and your family up.

Now you’re going to have to trust me on this recipe. Cooking the noodles with the sauce might seem like a gamble, it is, but it works. The temptation to want to stir will be real. Don’t give in, don’t stir. This recipe really goes against all your cooking instincts. But trust me, this works and you might be surprised about how easy and wonderful it is to have it all cook in the same pot at the same time. You may never go back to regular spaghetti again. Believe me this works and it’s delicious. This is the perfect recipe on those days when you forgot to plan ahead. Reach for your pantry staples and set the table because you’ve got this.

Quick and Easy Spaghetti Ingredients

Jarred marinara sauce makes this super easy, it’s a great short cut, especially on busy nights. You can make your own spaghetti sauce, like this favorite, which is made in the instant pot first. Then add the noodles. Or keep it quick and simple.

• Olive Oil: To help the beef from sticking to the pot.
• Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef.
• Italian Seasoning: Helps to season the beef for an extra flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Because you can never have enough garlic in Italian food.
• Salt and Pepper: Add more or less to taste.
• Spaghetti Noodles: It is best to break the noodles beforehand then criss-crossing them in the pot for best cooking.
• Marinara Sauce: Two Jars of your favorite or this homemade equivalent sauce is even better.
• Water: You need this extra fluid for the noodles to cook in.

How to Make Spaghetti in an Instant Pot

Cooking the noodles at the same time as the sauce make this recipe super fast and easy. All the work in one pot means less mess. More time to do the things you love and still put a hearty meal on the table.

1. Sauté: Set a 6 quart instant pot to sauté. Add the olive oil, ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook and crumble until no longer pink.
2. Add: Break the noodles in half. Layer them in a criss-cross pattern so they do not stick as it cooks.
3. Pour: Pour the marinara and water on top of the noodles.
4. Cook: Cook on high pressure for 5-7 minutes. Use the quick release and wait for cycle to complete before unlocking. Stir together and serve with parmesan and chopped basil.

Tips For The Best Instant Pot Spaghetti

You’re going to love how easy this is, sometimes you just need to get a meal on the table and I love this one, especially if I don’t want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. If I have a bit more time I’ll throw together this Slow cooker Italian Chicken and Potatoes or Incredible Homemade Calzone. Always family favorites!

• Noodles: Make sure to lay your noodles in criss cross layers. This will prevent the noodles from sticking together as they cook, since you can’t stir it during cooking.
• Swap: Take this opportunity to use whole wheat noodles and sneak in some fiber and protein. They’ll never know because it’s cooked all together.
• Meat: Feel free to use ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage instead of beef. All will work in this recipe.
• Scrape: After you brown the meat, add about a cup of the water to the meat and scrape the bottom of the instant pot. This helps avoid the “burn” notification that sometimes can occur during cooking.
• Water:  If you using jarred marinara I like to place the water in the empty jars and “rinse” all the goodness out of the jar and into my spaghetti. It’s a double whammy.
• Avoid: Avoid the urge to stir the noodles once you put them in. Don’t do it! You’ll want to but it’ll cause the noodles to get gummy and stick together.
• Creamy: Want a more creamy sauce? Add two large tablespoons or more of cream cheese when it’s finished cooking. Gently stir till melted and thoroughly incorporated.
• More Flavor: If you want a pinch more flavor add an extra half to 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. This might be especially helpful if your marinara sauce seems a little bland. You want a robust full bodied sauce.
• Watery: Don’t panic if you remove the lid and it seems watery. Give it a good stir and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.

Freezing and Storing Spaghetti

If there’s a chance you have leftovers, they’ll be even better the second day. I don’t know what it is about Italian food, but it’s always better after the flavors have melded together overnight. One of my favorites for leftovers is Baked Chicken Spaghetti, it is so good!  Sometimes I secretly hope there are leftovers, just so I can have them the next day for lunch. Warmed up with a slice of bread and I’m set!

• Storing: Like most dishes, this will keep beautifully in the fridge for 4-5 days.
• Freeze: This will freeze for 3-4 months well. If I know I’m going to freeze leftovers I’ll try to under cook the noodles just a tad bit so they are really al dente. Using the quick release valve stops the cooking process. Once the spaghetti has completely cooled I will portion out in individual freezer safe containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stove top or microwave. Enjoy!