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Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner

Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner
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This Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner is a quick and hearty one-pot meal featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti combined with a rich tomato sauce, savory seasonings, and optional protein like ground beef or Italian sausage. Ideal for busy weeknights or easy family dinners, this dish delivers classic Italian comfort food with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 8 ounces spaghetti pasta (regular or gluten-free)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 1/4 cups water or broth

Optional Protein

  • 1/2 pound ground beef or Italian sausage

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Sauté Aromatics and Meat. Turn on your Instant Pot’s sauté function and heat olive oil. Add diced onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent. Add ground beef or sausage and brown thoroughly, breaking it up with a spoon.
  2. Step 2: Add Tomatoes and Seasonings. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well, ensuring the tomato paste is evenly incorporated for a rich sauce.
  3. Step 3: Add Pasta and Liquid. Break spaghetti noodles in half to fit into the pot, layering them evenly over the sauce without stirring. Pour in water or broth until the pasta is just covered to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
  4. Step 4: Pressure Cook. Secure the lid and set your Instant Pot to high pressure for 8 minutes. Once cooking finishes, use quick-release to avoid overcooked pasta.
  5. Step 5: Final Stir and Serve. Open the lid carefully, give the spaghetti a good stir to mix sauce and noodles evenly. Adjust seasoning if needed, and it’s ready to plate.

Notes

  • Don’t stir before cooking to prevent pasta from clumping or sticking at the bottom.
  • Use just enough water or broth to cover the pasta for even cooking without mushiness.
  • Use quick release carefully to keep pasta perfectly al dente.
  • This recipe scales well for batch cooking or meal prep.
  • Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley after cooking for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: instant pot, spaghetti, one-pot meal, quick pasta dinner, Italian, family-friendly, gluten-free option, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/instant-pot-spaghetti-dinner/