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Cozy Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe Easy One-Pot Wonder for Dinner

Instant Pot Spaghetti - featured image

A quick and comforting one-pot spaghetti recipe made in the Instant Pot, perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners. This fuss-free dish combines simple pantry staples into a rich, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces spaghetti noodles (broken in half to fit the pot)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Turn on the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat the olive oil until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, roughly 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté another 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add the ground beef. Break it up with your spatula and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if desired.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well, scraping the bottom to loosen any browned bits.
  5. Add the broken spaghetti noodles. Press them gently into the liquid but do not stir. Pour an extra 1/4 cup of broth over the noodles if they look dry on top.
  6. Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to manual high pressure. Cook for 8 minutes.
  7. When the timer beeps, perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to vent steam.
  8. Open the lid and stir everything well. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth to loosen it. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optional fresh basil or parsley.

Notes

Break spaghetti noodles in half to fit the pot and prevent clumping. Do not stir noodles before pressure cooking to avoid burn warnings. Use quick release to prevent mushy pasta. You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or mushrooms for vegetarian options. Adjust red pepper flakes for heat. Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar after cooking can enhance flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, spaghetti, one-pot meal, quick dinner, easy recipe, ground beef, pasta, weeknight dinner