Instant Pot Spaghetti is the best pasta with ground beef, cooked in the pressure cooker. It won't burn and is ready in 20 minutes, from start to finish.
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Why This Recipe Works
One of the most requested recipes to make in the Instant Pot is an easy pasta dish. I am excited to share my recipe for Instant Pot Spaghetti that won't burn and is perfectly flavorful. It's easy to make and ready in just under 20 minutes (including the IP coming to pressure).
This spaghetti is officially my family's favorite IP dinner and is requested every week! This Instant Pot Spaghetti is a perfect dish to have in your go-to pressure cooker recipes for busy weeknights or any day you want a big bowl of pasta.
Ingredients:
- beef: go for the lean kind but if your beef has more fat, spoon it out during cooking
- spaghetti: dry noodles, break them in half to fit
- water: necessary for pressure cooking
- canned tomatoes: diced and crushed to make a better-tasting spaghetti sauce from scratch instead of using a store-bought kind
- seasoning: garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper
Check out the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe box below.
I used the 6qt Instant Pot DUO60 and love it. (This is an affiliate link.)
How to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti?
- Start by sauteing garlic. Add onion powder and Italian seasoning and stir.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Add ยฝ cup of water and scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Grab a handful of spaghetti noodles at a time, break them in half and arrange in a criss-cross pattern on top of the meat. (see photo nr. 2 for visual reference). Add remaining water to the pot.
- Add diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes. Close the lid and set the valve to sealing.
- Set timer to 7 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, then it will start the countdown. Once the timer is done, wait 1 minute, then switch the valve to venting to release pressure.
- The dish will look like it has too much liquid, but all you need to do is stir well several times and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. It will thicken up.
The amount of liquid prevented the burn and made sure the pasta is perfectly cooked. The spaghetti will look like in the image below.
All you need to do now is stir it well and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Perfect time to set up the table and whip up a simple salad or breadsticks. After that, when the excess liquid evaporates and some absorbsย into the dish, you will have spaghetti that looks like the image below, simply perfect!
What to serve with spaghetti?
- bread: My family loves my skillet focaccia that takes only 1 hour to make.
- salad: you can't go wrong with Caesar salad or creamy cucumber tomato salad.
- sides: choose steamed broccoli, sauteed green beans or roasted asparagus.
Recipe FAQs:
This Instant Pot Spaghetti cooks in 7 minutes. Since the meat is browned, all you need to do is cook the pasta. That's why the time is so short. You should also note that it takes about 10 to 12 minutes for the IP to come to pressure.
If you have a frozen block of beef (or turkey meat), you can quickly thaw it out in the Instant Pot before you set out to make the spaghetti. You need 1.5 cups of water in the insert, then set frozen beef on a trivet. Set for 7 minutes on HIGH pressure. Quickly release the pressure. The meat won't be cooked through but thawed so you can now brown it to make the spaghetti. Discard the liquid and remove trivet. Rinse and wipe the insert clean, if needed. Heat up oil and begin browning the beef.
If you have been cooking in your Instant Pot for a while, you may know that some dishes tend to be bland. It is almost a rule that you should overseason a dish cooked in the IP. My secret that I use often in a variety of dishes, is to heat up the spices in oil with garlic and onions, if using. It will activate dried spices. In this case, to make a flavorful spaghetti, I add Italian seasoning mix to the oil when sauteeing garlic. It becomes very fragrant. Then you add the beef and let the spices infuse the meat. This also works when making soups and dishes that start with sauteing garlic, onions, celery, carrots and even potatoes.
Yes! Chicken stock or broth can be used in this recipe. I recommend a low-sodium kind and adjusting the amount of salt to your preferences.
Absolutely. If you are using Italian sausage, you won't need as much spice. The sausage is usually pretty flavorful.
If you see a "burn" message displaying on your Instant Pot, the reason most likely is that you didn't deglaze the bottom of the pot and some food stuck. Always make sure to add a little bit of water after browning the meat and use a wooden spoon to scrape off any cooked on bits from the bottom. Another reason could be that you mixed the crushed tomatoes in with pasta and meat. Follow my recipe and add the tomatoes on top of pasta, away from sides of the pot and do not stir.
To double this recipe, you will need a bigger pot. I recommend 8 quart Instant Pot. The cook time stays the same, even if you double the ingredients.
To learn more about the Instant Pot, check out myย Guide for Beginners. If you experienced the โburnโ message while using your IP, check out myย Instant Pot Burn Messageย post to learn how to fix the issue and prevent it in the first place.
More Instant Pot dinners:
If you like this recipe and make it,ย let me know in the commentsย below!ย Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves chopped finely
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef I used lean
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 oz. spaghetti noodles
- 3.5 cups water
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 24 oz. crushed tomatoes or pasta sauce
Instructions
- Start by heating up oil on the saute setting. Add garlic and stir. Add onion powder and Italian seasoning. Stir and saute for 1 minute.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon out and discard any grease (this depends on the type of beef you use).
- Add ยฝ cup of water and scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot. This step is important as it will prevent the dish from burning during pressure cooking.
- Grab a handful of spaghetti noodles at a time, break in half and arrange in a criss-cross pattern on top of the meat. (see photo in post for visual reference). Add remaining water to the pot.
- Pour diced tomatoes (with liquid) and crushed tomatoes (or pasta sauce) over noodles. Do your best to keep it in the center, away from the edges of the pot. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing.
- Set timer to 7 minutes and make sure the IP is set to cook on HIGH pressure. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, then it will start the countdown.
- Once the timer is done, wait 1 minute, then switch the valve to venting to release pressure.
- Open the lid away from your face, as there will be leftover steam in the pot. The dish will look like it has too much liquid, but all you need to do is stir well several time and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. It will thicken up.
Loralynn Wilbur says
I made this tonight. It's so good. I used fresh onion in place of powdered onion. I see no need to ever boil pasta water again.
Deborah says
I made this tonight using wheat spaghetti and it came out wonderful. My family said it was a keeper and very little was left. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes. I
Anna says
Hi Deborah! That's fantastic! Thank you so much for trying my recipe. I am thrilled that you and your family enjoyed it!
Marlo says
Can I sub the water for 1 part red wine and 2.5 parts chicken broth, without a burn message?
Anna says
Hi Marlo! A few of my readers used red wine without problems so I say go for it! Let me know how you like it! You can use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water as well. I would recommend the low-sodium kind.
Crystal Queen says
Not sure what I did but my noodles were all clumped together and not done. Maybe I used too many in a bunch when criss crossing.
Anna says
Yes, that is usually the reason they stick together. Did you happen to watch my video to see how I layer them?
Perry says
Iโd like to try this with a 16 1/4 oz jar of Marinara sauce with thin spaghetti that says on box that 6-7 min for perfect al dente. Also I would only use about 12 oz (3/4 lb) of the thin spaghetti. Iโm wondering how much water you would use and how long to cook? I donโt want it to be al dente though. I like my noodles cooked more than al dente. Iโm just concerned about it being too โliquidyโ or the noodles being over cooked because of them being thin.
Perry says
I just noticed you used 12 oz pasta instead of a 16 oz like many other recipies like this call for. Iโd also be using 3/4 lbs of meat. So with spaghetti that cooks quicker and less sauce, what would be your water recommendations?
Anna says
Hi Perry! The general recommendation is to cook pasta for half the time than the instructions on the box. Also, I did not test this recipe with thin spaghetti and less sauce so I can't guarantee the final result.
Laurie says
I am recovering from breaking my arm in two places and wrist surgery, cast is now off but hand is still in recovery and can't do much with it. I am right handed, its my right. Having said that wth the exception of opening the jar of sauce and putting leftovers away, cleaning pot I made this. I followed directions with the exception I added some Johnny seasoning to hamburger instead of salt and pepper. This was so easy, quick, and is flavorful. I did use Costco diced garlic so no cutting. Thanks for a simple recipe that made it easy for me to tackle.๐๐
Anna says
Hi Laurie! That is wonderful! I am so happy to know my recipe was helpful! I hope your recovery goes well! Take care!
Eden says
I'm curious to know if anyone has made a double batch of this and how it came out? Would I just double the Ingredients?
Thank you ๐
Anna says
Hi Eden! If you have the 6 quart Instant Pot, I do not recommend doubling the recipe. My pot was pretty filled up and double the amount would not fit. I did not test this recipe in 8 quart IP so I can't say if it will work. I hope this helps!
Gail Swearngin says
I did in my 8 qt instant pot and it came out perfect.
Pamela says
Did you double the water? I have an 8 quart
Louis says
My family loves this. I did add an additional jar of sauce and 1 3/4 jars of water. We like it saucier.
Jenelle says
Was nervous when making this recipe but it turned out great and itโs delicious!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I am so glad it was a hit, Jenelle! Thank you!
Nick says
You should keep the pasta on the top, not submerged in liquid. This way the pressure of steam is forced into the pasta, which will make it soft. You can layer it as ground meat, sauce, pasta on top.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks for sharing, Nick!
Betty says
Has anyone tried different types of pasta other than the spaghetti? Also, has anyone tried this with thin spaghetti? Iโm curios to know if the cooking time or water amounts would have to be adjusted.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Fettuccine will be fine too. I used ziti in my other recipe, you may want to check out: https://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/instant-pot-baked-ziti/
Linda Blowers says
Iโve used bucatini a couple of times and we love it. I cook it for 10 minutes.
Anna says
Thank you, Linda!
Crystal says
I didnโt have time to sautรฉ the meat so I threw it in half defrosted and have frozen, broke it down the best I could and cooked everything for 15 minutes and it was absolutely perfect. Meat was a bit chunky From the frozen parts so I just broke it up before serving.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Crystal! Thank you so much for sharing. That is a great tip!
Mary says
I use angel hair with this recipe with no issue!
Diana says
Can you use gluten free spaghetti instead and if so, what would the cook time be? Thank you!
Rachel says
So simple! I halved the noodles, though next time Iโll use 3/4 lb, and doubled the seasoning with the exception of the salt. Will make again!
Carla says
Iโm wondering if I did the meat on lunch and then set it for 3 hours delay would the noodles get too mushy?
Sharon Coffman says
Hi! Iโm so glad I found your instant pot ideas!!! Iโve been looking for simple ways to make practical foods in it instead of things like Scandinavian braised lamb with garlic quince pateโ lol. Iโm gonna be using my IP a lot now! Thereโs one thing Iโd like to correct (sorry... Iโm a retired teacher.) you used the word โblendโ for plain tasting when you mean โbland.โ An easy mistake. Hope this helps.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Sharon! I am so glad you found my blog! Feel free to reach out anytime, if you have questions or recipe requests. I am always happy to help! PS: Thanks for catching the typo. Fixed! ๐