The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Our Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe is our easiest spaghetti recipe ever! It’s a quick recipe for spaghetti and meat sauce made right in the instant pot!
For only $0.98 per serving, you can make this dinner for your family. It makes 6 servings for a total of $5.85.
For another twist on a classic spaghetti dinner, check out this Cheesy Baked Spaghetti recipe.
Instant Pot Spaghetti
With a few minutes of prep-time and a little more time for cooking, this is a hassle-free meal that will be on your table in under 30 minutes. Spaghetti is already a pretty easy meal to throw together, but you’ve got multiple pots and pans to clean up afterward, plus a colander.
This is truly a one-pot meal with no colander needed! Who knew spaghetti could get any easier! This is life-changing!
Making spaghetti in the Instant Pot is a great option for those crazy busy nights or on a night when you don’t feel like cooking. You do not pre-cook the noodles or have to stand around waiting for a pot of water to boil.
Brown the meat, add the noodles, tomatoes, water, and seasonings, and put the lid on to cook! It really is that easy. You will find that the meat is tender, the noodles soft, and the sauce flavorful when you let it all cook together in your Instant Pot.
It really is the perfect classic dinner that everyone loves. Try this method, and you may never go back to stove-top spaghetti again!
Can you cook dry pasta in an instant pot?
Absolutely and it is life-changing! Check out our Instant Pot Mac and Cheese for another recipe using dry noodles. Yay!
We get very excited anytime we can save ourselves in the kitchen. It is fantastic not having to wait on a pot of water to boil to cook the noodles. The Instant Pot does the work for you!
Why does spaghetti sauce burn in the instant pot?
This can happen when there is not enough liquid in the Instant Pot, which creates an issue of the Instant Pot not creating enough steam to come up to pressure to cook. Just make sure to check your measurements when pouring in the water.
Also, scraping down the sides after browning the meat will help avoid any burning issues.
How long does it take to cook spaghetti noodles in an instant pot?
Cook the spaghetti on manual, high pressure for seven minutes. Seven minutes, that’s it! Wait for the pressure to release before opening the lid.
How to make Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe:
STEP ONE: First, set the Instant Pot to the “saute” setting and press the “adjust” button until it reads “more.” Once the display reads “hot,” add the ground beef and chopped onions to cook until browned.
STEP TWO: Then, turn off the Instant Pot and add the dry seasonings and one cup of water. Break the spaghetti in half to fit into the Instant Pot and layer the noodles on top of the meat mixture.
STEP THREE: Next, pour the tomatoes and water over the spaghetti and do not stir. Cover and seal the Instant Pot to cook on manual, high pressure for seven minutes.
STEP FOUR: Finally, after pressure has been released, remove the lid and stir. Let the spaghetti sit for five minutes to allow the pasta to absorb any remaining liquid before serving.
Cook’s Tools:
- measuring cups
- Instant Pot
- measuring spoons
- liquid measuring cup
- cutting board
- Chef’s knife
The Flavor and Recipe Variations
- Instead of ground beef, you can use ground Italian sausage or ground turkey.
- If you want to go meat-free, then saute some sliced mushrooms and shredded carrots instead of ground beef.
How much will this Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe cost to make:
RECIPE COST: $5.85
PRICE PER SERVING: $0.98
- 1 pound lean ground beef – $3.01
- 1/2 cup yellow onion – $0.31
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – $0.13
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.03
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – $0.03
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles – $0.82
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes – $0.64
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes – $0.87
- 3 ½ cups water – $0.00
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
How long is it good for:
Serve: The pasta can stay at room temperature for about 2 hours before it will need to be refrigerated.
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When you reheat the pasta, spritz some water on the pasta and then reheat it in the microwave.
Freeze: To freeze spaghetti, you need to make it more on the al dente side so that it doesn’t turn mushy after freezing and then defrosting it. To do this, cook on high pressure for 6 minutes instead of 7.
How to get the kids involved with this recipe:
Ages 2-3: After you have opened the tomatoes, let your little one pour them into the Instant Pot. He/she can also help pour in the water and seasonings.
Ages 4-5: Have your child help break the dry spaghetti noodles in half. After breaking them, he/she can layer them in the Instant Pot.
Ages 6-8: Teach your child how to use a meat masher to brown the meat.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
More Instant Pot Recipes:
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- French Dip Sandwiches
- Honey Baked Ham
- Lasagna
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Popcorn
- Meatloaf
- Potato Soup
- Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Refried Beans
- Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Turkey Gravy
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Equipment
- measuring cups
- Instant Pot
- Measuring spoons
- Liquid measuring cup
- cutting board
- chef's knife
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound dry spaghetti noodles
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 3 ½ cups water
Instructions
PREP POT:
- Set the Instant Pot to the “Saute” setting and then press the “Adjust” button until it reads “More.”
COOK MEAT AND ONION:
- Once the display reads “Hot,” add the ground beef and chopped onions, cook, and stir until the meat is browned and the onion is soft.
- Turn off your Instant Pot.
- Add the dry seasonings and 1 cup of water, stir to combine.
- Break spaghetti in half or thirds, whichever fits in your Instant Pot.
- Layer the spaghetti noodles on top of the meat mixture.
- Pour the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and 2 ½ cups water over the spaghetti (DO NOT STIR).
COOK PASTA:
- Cover and seal the Instant Pot and cook on manual, high pressure for 7 minutes.
- Then, do a quick release to allow the pressure to escape.
TO FINISH:
- Remove the lid and stir. Let the spaghetti sit for 5 minutes to allow for any remaining liquid to absorb into the pasta.
- Serve with your choice of sides and bread.
Allison says
It doesn’t get much easier than that! Delicious!
Jill says
We’re in the middle of a kitchen remodel and have been using our instant pot non-stop! This pasta recipe is so delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!
Christina says
I love finding great new recipes for my instant pot. Thank you.
Jess Jankowski says
You are so welcome!
Jenny says
This is amazing i never thought of cooking spaghetti in the insta pot. I actually have the pampered chef deluxe cooker that is similar/same as an insta pot!! Thanks for sharing this!!!
Jess Jankowski says
So glad you love it! Thanks Jenny!