Description

A delicious and easy Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe that combines savory browned ground beef, rich pasta sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles all made in one pot. Featuring simple seasonings, butter, and topped with Parmesan, this spaghetti is ready in under 30 minutes and makes a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasonings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Spaghetti and Sauce

1 (24 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 3/4 cups water
1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon (chicken base)
8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half

Finishing Touches

4 tablespoons butter
Parmesan cheese, for topping
Parsley or basil, for garnish
Red pepper flakes, optional for heat

Instructions

Prepare the Meat: Turn on the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Add the olive oil, ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, minced garlic (if using), and kosher salt. Sauté the mixture until the ground beef is browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
Add Sauce and Pasta: Pour in the jar of pasta sauce, water, and Better Than Bouillon chicken base. Add the broken spaghetti noodles by tucking them underneath the liquid to ensure even cooking.
Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the vent. Set it to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
Release Steam Safely: Once cooking is complete, carefully place a towel over the steam vent to prevent splatters and quickly release the pressure to avoid overcooking the noodles.
Rest and Absorb: Open the lid and use tongs to stir the spaghetti, distributing the sauce evenly. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes so the noodles absorb the sauce and the consistency thickens perfectly.
Finish and Serve: Stir in the butter until melted and creamy. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and garnish with parsley or basil and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve with your favorite garlic bread and a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Breaking the spaghetti noodles in half helps them fit better and cook evenly in the Instant Pot.
Using the Better Than Bouillon adds depth of flavor to the sauce; chicken base works well with the beef and tomato flavors.
Resting the pasta after cooking is key to achieving a perfect sauce consistency as the noodles soak up excess liquid.
Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for added heat or omit for milder flavor.
If you prefer, you can substitute ground turkey or plant-based ground meat to alter the protein source.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Instant Pot
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Instant Pot spaghetti, one pot pasta, ground beef spaghetti, easy weeknight dinner, pressure cooker pasta