This Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe Is the Easiest (And Fastest) Way To Get Dinner on the Table

There are few meals as universally loved as spaghetti, but cooking it the traditional way requires a lot of dishes. You need one pot for boiling the pasta, a pan for the meat, another for the sauce and—oh, don’t forget the colander! If you’re tired of the extra cleanup, this Instant Pot spaghetti is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner hack. Everything cooks together in one pot (yes, even the noodles!), and the best part? It’s ready in just 15 minutes. No draining, no mess, just perfectly cooked pasta infused with rich, savory flavor and rich Parmesan cheese. Here’s how to make it.

What is Instant Pot spaghetti?

If you have an Instant Pot,  you already know it can easily cook anything from a hearty chili to a healthy salmon filet. But a spaghetti? There might be an Italian nonna out there screaming “Mama Mia!” But it’s true: you can make spaghetti (and a really good one at that) in a pressure cooker. Instant Pot spaghetti is a simple, one-pot version of the classic pasta dish. Instead of cooking the pasta separately, the noodles simmer in the sauce and water right inside the Instant Pot, absorbing all the flavors as they cook. The result? A deeply flavorful spaghetti that’s rich, saucy and perfectly al dente. Plus, using an Instant Pot means everything comes together quickly with minimal effort.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• It’s truly one pot. No need for separate pans for meat, pasta and sauce. Everything happens in one pot. This means less cleanup and more enjoyment.
• It’s quick and easy. You’ve heard of a 30-minute dinner. Now, try cutting that time in half. Dinner is on the table in just 15 minutes!
• It’s foolproof. The Instant Pot does all the work, so you don’t have to worry about overcooking the noodles or burning the sauce.
• It’s customizable. Want to add extra veggies or swap in ground turkey? Go for it! For even more flavor, consider swapping water with beef or chicken stock.

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Pro tips for the best Instant Pot spaghetti

Want your spaghetti to turn out absolutely perfect? Keep these tips in mind:

• Crisscross the noodles. Instead of dumping the spaghetti in one big chunk, break them in half and layer them in a crisscross pattern. This helps prevent clumping, which no one wants in a spaghetti.
• Use a flavorful sauce. Since everything cooks together, a good-quality spaghetti sauce makes all the difference. Choose one with bold flavors for the best results.
• Stir well after cooking. The sauce may look a little thin at first, but a good stir helps the noodles absorb the liquid, creating a perfect consistency.

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How to make Instant Pot spaghetti

This easy recipe from The Salty Marshmallow comes together with just a handful of ingredients. Note that for some, the Instant Pot takes about 20 minutes to build pressure, so cooking time may vary.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• ½ tsp. each salt, garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasoning, or more to taste
• 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
• 1 (24-oz.) jar spaghetti sauce
• 36-oz. water (about 1½ jars)
• 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes (or tomato sauce)

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Directions:

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 servings

1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add the ground beef.  Add the salt, garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasonings.  Cook the meat and seasonings, breaking the meat up until it’s completely browned. Turn the Instant Pot off, then drain any excess grease from meat if necessary.
2. Break the spaghetti in half and place on top of meat in the Instant Pot. ,Then, pour over the spaghetti sauce, diced tomato and water. Push the spaghetti down with a spoon if necessary to make sure it is completely covered in liquid.
3. Seal the Instant Pot and set it to manual mode, high pressure, eight minutes cooking time.  When the time is up, use manual quick release to open.  Stir the spaghetti well, then garnish with preferred toppings and serve immediately.

How to store and reheat leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare with this delicious dish!), store them in an airtight container for up to four days. Or, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.

Add a splash of water or sauce when reheating Instant Pot spaghetti in the stove or microwave to prevent the noodles from drying out.