Instant Pot Spaghetti and Frozen Meatballs

Instant pot spaghetti and frozen meatballs is a quick and easy dinner kids love! Simply layer spaghetti over a bed of frozen meatballs, generously top it with tomatoes and spices, and let the Instant Pot work its magic for just 9 minutes.

Say goodbye to tedious stirring and boiling pots of water—the Instant Pot takes care of all that while significantly reducing cooking time. With this one-pot wonder, you can enjoy a flavorful dish without the hassle of cleanup. Get ready to add Instant Pot spaghetti and meatballs to your weekly dinner rotation, as it’s bound to become a firm family favorite!

Looking for a vegetable side dish to serve with dinner? Check out our steamed green beans (instant pot), instant pot colcannon, and Instant Pot Broccoli.

Time to get cooking! Grab your equipment and ingredients then follow the step-by-step instructions. Make sure to read through our top 3 tips to successfully making instant pot spaghetti and meatballs. 

Ingredients

The ingredients listed for Instant Pot spaghetti and meatballs create a flavorful and well-balanced dish. Let’s discuss each ingredient:

• Frozen Meatballs: Using pre-made frozen meatballs saves time and adds convenience to the recipe. You can find various types of meatballs available, such as beef, pork, or a combination. They provide a protein-rich element to the dish.
• Uncooked Spaghetti: The broken spaghetti adds the classic pasta component to the dish. Breaking the spaghetti in half helps it fit better in the Instant Pot and ensures even cooking. The spaghetti will absorb the flavors of the sauce while cooking.
• Crushed Tomatoes: The crushed tomatoes contribute a rich and robust tomato flavor to the sauce. They form the base of the dish and provide a thick and hearty texture.
• Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce adds further depth to the sauce, enhancing the tomato flavor and helping to bind the ingredients together. It contributes to the overall richness and consistency of the dish.
• Chicken or Beef Broth: The broth adds moisture and depth of flavor to the sauce. It helps to cook the spaghetti and meatballs while infusing them with savory notes. You can choose chicken or beef broth based on your preference or dietary needs.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds a tangy and umami flavor to the dish. It enhances the overall taste profile and adds depth to the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar provides a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. It helps to round out the flavors and reduce any bitterness.
• Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sometimes garlic and onion powder. It infuses the dish with classic Italian flavors, complementing the meatballs and tomato sauce.
• Salt: Salt is an essential ingredient that enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. It helps to balance the overall taste and brings out the natural flavors of the dish.

When combined, these ingredients create a delicious and well-seasoned sauce that coats the spaghetti and meatballs, resulting in a satisfying and flavorful meal.

How To Make

1. Add meatballs and spaghetti. Add meatballs to the bottom of the instant pot. Top with broken spaghetti noodles, spread out. Make sure to keep spaghetti on top of the meatballs. DO NOT STIR.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, and salt. DO NOT STIR. You can move the sauce around to cover the pasta, but don’t stir. The layering effect is what helps the pasta successfully cook in the instant pot and not burn.
3. Cook. Place the cover onto the instant pot and turn to seal. Cook at high pressure for 9 minutes. Do a quick release. Use tongs to blend the pasta and sauce. Serve.

Expert Tips

• Sauté for extra flavor: Before adding the ingredients, you can use the sauté function on the Instant Pot to brown the meatballs slightly. This step adds an extra depth of flavor to the dish.
• Customize the spices: While the recipe calls for Italian seasoning, feel free to customize the spice blend according to your taste preferences. You can add additional herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme to enhance the flavors.
• Adjust the cooking time: If you prefer softer pasta, you can increase the cooking time by a minute or two. Conversely, if you prefer al dente pasta, you can reduce the cooking time slightly. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the pasta.
• Break spaghetti into smaller pieces: Breaking the spaghetti in half allows it to fit more easily into the Instant Pot and helps prevent it from clumping together during cooking. It also ensures that the spaghetti cooks evenly.
• Use high-quality ingredients: Using high-quality frozen meatballs, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce can significantly impact the overall flavor of the dish. Opt for brands that you enjoy or consider making homemade meatballs for a more personalized touch.
• Experiment with additional ingredients: While the basic recipe is delicious on its own, you can experiment by adding extra ingredients such as diced onions, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, or a splash of red wine for added depth of flavor.

Related: How To Use An Instant Pot: A Beginners Guide

FAQs

Storage and Reheating Instructions

When it comes to storing and reheating Instant Pot spaghetti and meatballs, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Allow the dish to cool down to room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and moisture buildup.
• Transfer the leftovers into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. Divide them into individual portions for easier reheating later.
• Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness.
• Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To reheat in the microwave, place a portion of the spaghetti and meatballs in a microwave-safe dish and cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Heat in intervals of 1 minute, stirring in between, until heated through.

• If reheating on the stovetop, place the spaghetti and meatballs in a saucepan or skillet and add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated.
• If the dish seems dry after reheating, you can add a little additional tomato sauce, broth, or water to moisten it.
• When reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to ensure even heating.

Note: Pasta can become softer upon reheating, so it’s normal for the texture to be slightly different compared to when it was freshly cooked.

More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes

• Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti
• Instant Pot Seafood Marinara Pasta
• Instant Pot One Pot Pasta
• Instant Pot Ravioli Soup