Instant Pot Spaghetti is a simple, hands-off meal made with a hearty, rich meat sauce and perfectly cooked noodles.
Pair this Instant Pot Spaghetti with a Tossed Greek Salad and Homemade Garlic Toast for a tasty, easy family meal.
It really does not take long to make spaghetti on the stove-top, so why bother using the Instant Pot to make spaghetti?
Not only is Instant Pot Spaghetti made all in one pot, but because the noodles cook in the broth and spaghetti sauce, they absorb incredible flavor while they cook up perfectly to al dente.
While that alone is enough reason to use the instant pot to make spaghetti, this recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can use whole wheat noodles, regular noodles, meat or no meat, homemade spaghetti sauce, or jarred sauce.
This fail-proof Instant Pot Spaghetti is a MUST make for busy nights when you are craving a comforting bowl of pasta.
How to Make Spaghetti in the Instant Pot
- Turn Instant Pot to saute and let the Instant Pot heat up until it reads Hot.
- Add in the ground beef, along with onions and garlic, and cook the beef until browned completely.
- Once the meat is browned, turn Instant Pot off. Remove meat from inner pot, drain off any grease, and reserve for later.
- Add in ¼ cup stock and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot to prevent a burn warning.
- Break spaghetti noodles in half and add in crisscrossing layers in the inner pot of the Instant Pot. This is a very important step because if you do not crisscross the noodles, they may clump together.
- Pour in the remaining stock and gently submerge the noodles into the stock. It is okay if they are not fully submerged, the spaghetti sauce will cover the top of the noodles.
- Top the noodles with the reserved sauteed meat and onions and then top with spaghetti sauce.
- Place lid on the pressure cooker and be sure vent knob is pointed to sealed.
- Cook on High Pressure for half the amount of time the box of pasta indicated, which is typically equivalent to 5 minutes on High Pressure.
- Once cook time has elapsed, let pressure release for 5 minutes naturally. Then release any remaining pressure by using a wooden spoon to knock the vent knob from sealing to venting, being careful to stand away from any steam that may be released.
- Open the Instant Pot and stir the sauce and into the noodles.
- Dish out and serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Storage: Instant Pot Spaghetti can be store in a sealed container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat Instant Pot Spaghetti, use the pot in pot method and set cook time for 1 minute on high pressure.
- Meat: Use any type of meat your family likes. Ground turkey, pork, sausage, or beef. Or omit the meat altogether for meatless spaghetti.
What type of noodles is best?
For this recipe, use whole grain or regular spaghetti noodles. Not angel hair or linguine noodles, as they do tend to stick together when cooked in the instant pot.
How do you determine cooking time?
To perfectly cook pasta in the instant pot, you want to set the cooking time for HALF the time the box indicates and allow for natural pressure release for 5 minutes. Perfect results every time! For most brands of spaghetti, this means to cook for 5 minutes on high pressure with a natural pressure release.
Can you use gluten-free noodles?
If you need to make Gluten-Free Instant Pot Spaghetti, I have only had success using the Barilla brand of gluten-free spaghetti. Other varieties give off too much starch as they cook in the pressure cooker and ruin the sauce and taste and at times even cause a burn notice.
How do you keep the noodles from sticking together?
It is really important to criss-cross the noodles in layers so that they do not stick together.
Can you use frozen ground beef?
If using frozen meat, cook frozen ground beef in the Instant Pot first. Remove cooked beef from Instant Pot once cooked and drain off the liquid from Instant Pot. Proceed with the recipe starting with adding noodles into the instant pot.
Do you have to add ground meat?
Absolutely not. This Instant Pot Spaghetti is delicious with or without the addition of meat.
Can you use homemade tomato sauce in place of jarred?
Yes! In fact, you don't even have to cook it first. Simply mix together 24 ounces crushed tomatoes, 6 ounces tomato paste, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, ½ teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt together until well combined and use in place of jarred sauce.
Can you use water in place of broth?
Water can be used, but will not produce the same flavorful spaghetti as you will get using vegetable broth or chicken stock.
More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Creamy Italian Pasta
- Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
If you enjoyed this easy spaghetti recipe, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground meat of choice optional
- ¼ cup onion minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 16 ounces spaghetti noodles regular or whole wheat
- 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken stock
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce homemade or jarred*
- Parmesan Cheese for serving
Instructions
- If using meat, turn Instant Pot to saute and let the Instant Pot heat up until it reads Hot.
- Add in the ground beef, along with onions and garlic for added flavor. Cook the beef until browned completely, breaking up the meat as it browns. Once the meat is browned, turn Instant Pot off. Remove meat from inner pot, drain off any grease, and reserve for later.
- Add in ¼ cup stock and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot to prevent a burn warning.
- Break spaghetti noodles in half and add in crisscrossing layers in the inner pot of the Instant Pot. This is a very important step because if you do not crisscross the noodles, they may clump together.
- Pour in the remaining stock and gently submerge the noodles into the stock. It is okay if they are not fully submerged, the spaghetti sauce will cover the top of the noodles.
- Top the noodles with the browned meat, if using, and the tomato sauce.
- Place lid on the pressure cooker and be sure vent knob is pointed to sealed. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once cook time has elapsed, let pressure release for 5 minutes naturally. Then release any remaining pressure by using a wooden spoon to knock the vent knob from sealing to venting, being careful to stand away from any steam that may be released.
- Open the Instant Pot and stir the sauce and into the noodles. Dish out and serve with Parmesan Cheese if desired.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
Barb
I made this using whole wheat penne pasta... it was great... cooked prefect... quick and easy...loved it
Kristen Chidsey
So happy to hear you enjoyed Barb!
Mariaelena
Awesome thank you so much ❤️
Linda
Since we like our spaghetti sauce more on the chunky side, I added more onion, garlic and a little diced green bell pepper. I used chicken broth.
I have an 8 quart Instant Pot that I've used a lot. At least 2 to 5 times a week for about a year. I've never had a burn notice. I don't know if some Instant Pots are more sensitive to this than others. I'm always very careful to completely de-glaze the bottom of my pot. Not sure why so many people have this problem.
My spaghetti was really good.
TY for the recipe.
Robin M Ferretti
Made your IP Spaghetti recipe. Browned grd beef, removed then deglazed pot, wiping it dry. I like ANGEL HAIR pasta so used that and all other ingredients like you directed (except was going to do a 4min cook & 4min release). Before it came to pressure I got the BURN notice. After 2nd beep, opened the lid and stirred. A lot was stuck to bottom but not burned. (It was almost done and hadn't even pressure sealed). Restarted for 2 mins but Burn beeped again just after it sealed. Cancelled, QR, mixed & it was done. More stuck to bottom & very creamy. It tasted good & didn't lose too much on the bottom. I just watched the BURN VIDEO & think I should have cleaned the pot better after the meat saute---or Angel Hair may have been the issue.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Robin! I am sorry you had that issue, but actually since you shared that pressure was not reached but nearly cooked, it sounds like your lid may not have been sealed well--maybe sealing ring loose or vent knob open). In my experience, Angel Hair is not easily cooked in the instant pot. It tends to really stick together and it may have stuck to the bottom of the pot, which as you stated, if your lid was sealed, that may have caused the burn notice.
Terri Gossett
I made this recipe and used 16 ounces of penne pasta. It was so easy and very flavorful. I'll definitely make it again!
Kristen Chidsey
Love hearing how much you enjoyed!
Karen Kuntz
Hi Kristen. My question is more of an equipment one. I made this last night and it was a success, so thank you! However, before the cooking time was over, my IP displayed the BURN error. Obviously, I need to add more liquid to my 8 qt pot for this recipe, but my question is what action do I take when this is displayed. I hit cancel, waited until the pressure dropped so I could open the pot and was relieved that, in this instance, the noodles on the bottom of the pot were a tiny bit scorched, but otherwise everything was fine. Is that the proper response when one sees the BURN error? My little instruction booklet didn't have an error section. Thank you for your recipes and your help!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Karen! I am glad you enjoyed the spagehtti. As for a burn notice, it may not have been a liquid issue. It may be that there were browned bits on not fully scraped up, or if you mixed in the tomato sauce. If you did those things, add in 1/4-1/2 cup more liquid in the future. That said, the 8 quart is notorious for showing a burn warning and still cooking fully. It is much more sensitive. I have a video here explaining why a burn notice may happen and what to do when it does. When a burn notice occurs, give your pot a minute to see if it persists (sometimes it disappears), if so, hit cancel and give your instant pot a few minutes to cool down. Scrape off the bottom and add in more thin liquid and restart recipe if more cook time is needed.
Karen
Thank you Kristen. I found the video helpful! I appreciate your help!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you found the video helpful!
Letty Crocker
This looks great. A few questions: Would unsalted beef broth work in place of chicken or vegetable broth? I only have 12 ounces of pasta. Should I decrease the broth and sauce as well? How about the cooking time? Thanks for all your wonderful recipes! My instant pot terrified me until I found you!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Letty! First, I am so glad I helped you feel more confident using your instant pot. As for this recipe. Beef broth will work 🙂 I would cut the broth to 3 cups and the sauce to 18 ounces. I hope you enjoy!
Jaren Frost
So so easy, & so incredibly delicious!!!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed so much Jaren! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Amanda
Being able to have dinner ready so quickly has been a life saver for me. This spaghetti is the best thing to ever happen
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!! I am so glad you enjoyed Amanda! This is a go to dinner for quick nights for me as well!
Love Keil
This diner pasta looks was delicious and so easy to make, thank you for the recipe idea!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you found this recipe easy and enjoyable Love 🙂