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Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe Perfect for Quick Dinners

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A quick and fuss-free Instant Pot recipe that combines spaghetti and meatballs in one pot, delivering a comforting, saucy dish in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain panko preferred)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef broth or water
  • 8 ounces spaghetti (break in half to fit the pot)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs (10 minutes): In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, beaten egg, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Shape into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics (5 minutes): Turn the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and add olive oil. Once hot, add chopped onion and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Brown the Meatballs (5 minutes): Add meatballs in batches, turning gently to brown on all sides. Remove browned meatballs and set aside.
  4. Add Sauce Ingredients (2 minutes): Pour crushed tomatoes, beef broth, sugar, salt, and pepper into the pot. Stir well, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Layer the Spaghetti (1 minute): Break spaghetti strands in half and arrange in a crisscross pattern over the sauce. Do not stir.
  6. Place Meatballs on Top (1 minute): Gently place browned meatballs over the spaghetti, pressing lightly to submerge slightly into the sauce.
  7. Pressure Cook (10 minutes): Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ mode on high pressure for 10 minutes. Ensure the vent is sealed.
  8. Release Pressure (5 minutes): Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
  9. Stir and Serve (2 minutes): Open the lid and gently stir spaghetti and meatballs together. Adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast. Browning meatballs adds flavor and helps them hold together. Layer spaghetti in a crisscross pattern to prevent clumping. Use natural pressure release first to avoid splattering. If sauce is too watery, simmer on sauté mode to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, spaghetti, meatballs, quick dinner, pressure cooker, easy recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/easy-instant-pot-spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe-perfect-for-quick-dinners/