Instantaneous Pot SpaghettiErin ClarkeWell Plated by Erin
Instant Pot Spaghetti
This shortcut Instant Pot Spaghetti tastes so much more than the sum of its parts. Made with lean ground beef, whole wheat noodles, and jarred sauce, we could not get over how a recipe this easy could be so utterly delicious.
While I’ll ever be a fan of spaghetti and Baked Turkey Meatballs, cooking spaghetti in a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot has distinct advantages.
In fact, I’d argue Instant Pot spaghetti tastes better than stovetop spaghetti. Here’s why:
As the pasta noodles cook, they release starch.Since the water isn’t drained off when making pasta in a pressure cooker, those starches become a part of the sauce, making it thick and silky.Everything for Instant Pot spaghetti cooks in ONE POT (including both the pasta and the meat sauce).The cook time is QUICK.The taste is supreme.
You might not ever want to make spaghetti any other way again!
How to Cook Spaghetti in the Instant Pot
The general ratio of water to pasta in an Instant Pot is 2 parts water to every 1 part pasta.
This means that for every 4 ounces of pasta, you need 8 ounces (1 cup) of water.Thus, if you are cooking 8 ounces of pasta, you will need 16 ounces (2 cups) of water.
Avoiding the “Burn” Warning
If you are cooking pasta with a red sauce, even if you are only cooking 4 ounces of pasta, I still recommend using the full 2 cups of water.
Tomato-based sauces are more prone to triggering the Instant Pot’s burn warning. The water helps reduce that risk. You can drain away the excess.
The other key to avoiding the dreaded “burn” warning when making Instant Pot spaghetti with jar sauce is DO NOT STIR THE NOODLES.
You can put dry noodles in an Instant Pot. Start the recipe with the aromatics and sauce, lay the dry noodles on top, then pour on the water. Do not stir.
We love spaghetti Bolognese, so I made this recipe with ground meat, but it is optional.
You can use this same recipe to make Instant Pot spaghetti no meat by omitting it, swapping meatless crumbles, or stirring in a can of rinsed and drained white beans at the end.
The Ingredients
Whole Wheat Spaghetti. Twirl away! Packed with extra fiber and protein, whole wheat spaghetti noodles help make this dish more nutritious and satisfying. Ground Beef. Lean ground beef adds wonderful, rich flavor and heartiness. Ground beef is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Marinara. Since the Instant Pot spaghetti sauce is a major flavor component, the quality of the sauce is important. We like to make this as an Instant Pot spaghetti with Rao’s sauce or DeLallo sauce. Kale. Because I wanted this recipe to be a one-pot pasta meal, I also threw in several handfuls of kale. Like my Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, the veggies are sneaky in this spaghetti and almost seem to become a part of the sauce.
Spices. Simple spices like salt, dried parsley, onion powder, and red pepper flakes add flavor to the meat, which leads to a more flavorful spaghetti sauce after cooking. Parmesan. No spaghetti is complete without a topping of freshly grated Parmesan!
The Directions
Brown the meat with the oil and spices. Stir in the garlic, then pour in part of the water. Scrape the bottom of the pot.
Add the kale and sauce.
Break the spaghetti noodles in half, then place them over the meat. DO NOT STIR.
Fill the marinara sauce jar with the remaining water, shake, and pour it over the pasta. DO NOT STIR. Pressure cook spaghetti on HIGH for 8 minutes.
Vent to release pressure. Stir in the Parmesan. Turn off the Instant Pot, then let the pasta sit for a few minutes. Stir and scoop into bowls. ENJOY!
Wine Pairing
Pair this spaghetti with Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, or Chianti.
Storage Tips
To Store. Refrigerate spaghetti in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. To Freeze. Freeze spaghetti in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Leftover Ideas
Turn leftovers into a delicious, comforting spaghetti pie. My favorite version is in my cookbook).
What to Serve with Instant Pot Spaghetti
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Instant Pot. Ideal for making this recipe. Wooden Spoon. Perfect for breaking up the meat and stirring. Spaghetti Server. Makes it easy to serve long noodles.
Instant Pot spaghetti is that magical recipe place where the easier way turns out to be the more delicious way.
Twirl those noodles, and enjoy it!
Frequently Asked Questions
For Instant Pot spaghetti with an elevated twist, stir in Roasted Red Peppers or Roasted Garlic just before serving.
While this recipe does use a pinch of red pepper flakes, it is not overly spicy. If you prefer your spaghetti with a kick, you can add extra red pepper flakes or use a spicy jarred pasta sauce.
Yes, you can definitely swap the jarred sauce in this recipe for homemade pasta sauce.
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Ingredients
Instructions
Video
Notes
TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
TO FREEZE: Freeze spaghetti in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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READ: Instant Pot Spaghetti
Well Plated by Erin
