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Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Recipe for a Hearty Dinner

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A quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for spaghetti and meat sauce that delivers rich, comforting flavors in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (San Marzano style recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Break the spaghetti in half to fit the pot. Measure out liquids and seasonings. (Prep time: about 10 minutes)
  2. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add chopped onion and cook 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef, break it up with a spoon, and brown until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if desired.
  4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook another minute to deepen flavor.
  5. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Stir to combine. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Layer broken spaghetti evenly on top of the sauce without stirring.
  7. Press spaghetti down gently with a spoon to submerge it as much as possible without stirring.
  8. Seal the lid and set Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 8 minutes. (Pressure build time about 10 minutes before countdown.)
  9. Quick-release the pressure carefully using the valve once timer beeps.
  10. Open lid and stir everything well. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or water and stir again.
  11. Finish by stirring in fresh basil or parsley. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Do not stir pasta before pressure cooking to avoid clumping. Use enough liquid to prevent burning. Quick-release steam carefully to avoid overcooking. Adjust seasoning after cooking. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and broth. For low-carb, substitute zucchini noodles added after cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, spaghetti, meat sauce, easy dinner, quick recipe, pressure cooker, comfort food, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/easy-instant-pot-spaghetti-and-meat-sauce-recipe-for-a-hearty-dinner/