If you love hearty, comforting pasta dishes but want dinner on the table quickly, you are going to adore this Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Parmesan Recipe. It combines rich, savory ground beef simmered with aromatic spices and a luscious pasta sauce, all cooked perfectly with tender spaghetti in one pot. The addition of butter and Parmesan at the end gives it a creamy, irresistible finish that makes every bite feel like a warm hug. This recipe is a total game-changer for busy weeknights or anytime you crave that classic Italian-American comfort food without the long wait.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the right ingredients together is half the joy of this dish. Each component plays a key role in building layers of flavor, texture, and that vibrant, inviting color you want in a standout spaghetti dinner.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds rich flavor and helps brown the meat beautifully.
- Ground beef, 85/15 (1 pound): Provides savory, juicy heft that makes this meat sauce so satisfying.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning (1/2 teaspoon each): These dry spices boost the sauce with classic Italian aroma and flavor.
- Fresh garlic, minced (1 clove, optional): Delivers a punch of fresh garlicky warmth.
- Kosher salt (1 teaspoon): Balances and enhances every flavor in the pot.
- Jarred pasta sauce (24 ounces): The rich tomato base that brings all the ingredients together.
- Water (1 3/4 cups): Needed to cook the spaghetti evenly under pressure.
- Better Than Bouillon chicken base (1 teaspoon): Builds a deeper, savory background flavor in the sauce.
- Spaghetti (8 ounces, broken in half): The classic pasta shape that soaks up every bit of sauce.
- Butter (4 tablespoons): Stirred in at the end for a silky, creamy finish.
- Parmesan cheese: The crowning touch that adds salty, nutty goodness.
- Parsley or basil: Fresh herbs bring brightness and color to the plate.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional for a gentle, spicy kick.
How to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Parmesan Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Start by turning on your Instant Pot’s sauté function and adding the olive oil. Once shimmering, toss in the ground beef along with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, minced garlic if you’re using it, and kosher salt. Hear that satisfying sizzle as the beef browns evenly? Sauté until it’s cooked through with no pink left. This step develops a beautifully savory base for your sauce and locks in that rich flavor that will carry through the entire dish.
Step 2: Add Sauce and Noodles
Next, pour in the entire jar of pasta sauce, the water, and the Better Than Bouillon chicken base. Stir briefly to combine. Now carefully add the broken spaghetti noodles, gently pressing them down so they sit mostly submerged in the liquid. This positioning is crucial—it ensures the noodles cook perfectly without sticking to the pot or drying out. This layering of pasta in the sauce is classic comfort food magic happening right inside your Instant Pot.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Pasta
Secure the lid and set your Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for exactly 8 minutes. This time is just right to cook the spaghetti al dente while allowing the flavors from the sauce and meat to fully marry. Patience is key here; the Instant Pot is doing the hard work of infusing every strand of pasta with that rich, meaty tomato sauce.
Step 4: Quick Release and Rest
Once cooking is complete, place a clean kitchen towel over the steam release valve — this little trick helps prevent splattering. Then perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to vent the steam immediately. Open the pot and you’ll see a saucy, somewhat wet-looking spaghetti mixture. Don’t worry, this is perfect! Use tongs to stir gently and distribute the sauce, then let it rest in the pot for about 10 minutes. This resting period allows the noodles to absorb more sauce and thicken beautifully, creating that clingy, delicious texture we all crave.
Step 5: Finish with Butter and Parmesan
Finally, stir in the butter until it melts and creates a silky, slightly creamy coating on the noodles. Then dish out your steaming plates of spaghetti and generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top. This finishing touch elevates the entire meal with its savory, salty depth, making every forkful a joy.
How to Serve Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Parmesan Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or basil brighten up the dish visually and add a pop of fresh flavor. A pinch of red pepper flakes is perfect for those who enjoy a little heat. Don’t forget a final dusting of Parmesan, which melts into the pasta warm and inviting.
Side Dishes
This spaghetti pairs beautifully with crunchy garlic bread—perfect for soaking up extra sauce—and a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon or balsamic. These sides keep the meal balanced by adding fresh textures and acidity, cutting through the richness nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the spaghetti in rustic bowls and garnish with colorful bowls of additional Parmesan, herbs, and chili flakes so everyone can customize their plate. For a more festive touch, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts or drizzle a little good-quality extra virgin olive oil right before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Parmesan Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers just as satisfying as fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze this spaghetti in portioned freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently to maintain that creamy consistency and avoid drying out the pasta.
FAQs
Can I use a different ground meat?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even pork work well here. Just adjust the seasoning if needed to complement the flavor profile.
Do I need to break the spaghetti in half?
Breaking the spaghetti makes it easier to fit and cook evenly in the Instant Pot. If you prefer full-length strands, use a larger pot or fold the pasta carefully to fit without breaking.
Is it necessary to add water along with the sauce?
The water helps create enough steam to pressure cook the pasta properly and prevents burning. It’s an essential part of the Instant Pot cooking process for this dish.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap out the ground beef for plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of Better Than Bouillon chicken base. The sauce is rich enough to shine without meat.
How spicy does the recipe get with red pepper flakes?
That depends on how much you add. Start with a small pinch and add more after cooking to control the heat level perfectly for your taste buds.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Parmesan Recipe enough—it is straightforward, quick, and incredibly flavorful. It brings together the comforting flavors of traditional spaghetti night with the convenience of modern cooking. Once you try this, it might just become your go-to weeknight dinner. Give it a shot and enjoy every hearty, cheesy bite!
Print
Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Parmesan Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe delivers a delicious, hearty pasta meal in just 35 minutes. Ground beef is sautéed with Italian seasonings, then cooked with spaghetti, pasta sauce, and broth under pressure to create a perfectly saucy and flavorful dish. Finished with butter and Parmesan cheese, it’s an easy, comforting dinner ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15 preferred)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Liquid and Pasta
- 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 the Instant Pot to the sauté function. Add olive oil, ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, minced garlic (if using), and kosher salt to the pot. Sauté until the meat is browned and cooked through, ensuring it sizzles as you cook.
- Add Sauce and Pasta: Pour in the jar of pasta sauce, water, and Better Than Bouillon. Add the broken spaghetti noodles and push them down so they are submerged under the liquid.
- Pressure Cook: Close and seal the lid of the Instant Pot. Set it to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Release Steam: Place a towel over the vent to prevent splatters and release the steam immediately using quick release to avoid overcooking the noodles.
- Let It Rest: Open the Instant Pot. The noodles will be cooked but the mixture will appear wet and saucy. Use tongs to stir and distribute the sauce evenly. Let the dish rest in the pot for 10 minutes so the noodles absorb the sauce perfectly.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the butter until melted and creamy. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, garnish with parsley or basil, and sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired. Serve with garlic bread and a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Breaking the spaghetti in half helps it fit better and cook evenly in the Instant Pot.
- Quick release of pressure prevents noodles from becoming mushy.
- Resting the pasta after cooking allows the noodles to absorb the sauce, making the dish less watery and more flavorful.
- Use Better Than Bouillon chicken base for added depth of flavor; vegetable base can be used for a vegetarian adaptation.
- Optional garlic adds more aroma and flavor to the meat.
- Adjust salt carefully since both Better Than Bouillon and pasta sauce contain sodium.
