Easy one-pot Instant Pot spaghetti

Homemade spaghetti with rich meat sauce served from a pot, featuring tender pasta coated in savory ground beef tomato sauce for a classic comfort food dinner

Easy one-pot Instant Pot spaghetti

Easy one-pot Instant Pot spaghetti with ground beef, marinara, and pasta cooked together under pressure for a quick, flavorful, comforting weeknight dinner with almost no cleanup.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 21

Servings: 6

Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion finely diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika optional
3 cups 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce
3 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
12 ounces dry spaghetti broken in half
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Fresh parsley or basil chopped (optional garnish)

Equipment

Instant Pot (6-quart or larger), wooden spoon, knife, cutting board

Method

Set Instant Pot to Sauté. Add olive oil, ground beef, and onion. Cook 4–5 minutes until browned; drain excess grease if needed.
Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and optional paprika. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in marinara and water or broth. Stir and scrape the bottom of the pot.
Break spaghetti in half and layer it in a crisscross pattern over the sauce. Press down gently so mostly submerged; do not stir.
Seal the lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
Perform a quick release. Open the lid, stir thoroughly, and let rest 2–3 minutes to thicken.
Serve warm with grated Parmesan and optional fresh herbs.

Notes

Do not stir the pasta before pressure cooking. Quick release prevents overcooking. Sauce thickens as it sits. Adjust liquid slightly for preferred final consistency.