This Instant Pot Spaghetti is a family favorite! Smooth, tasty, and perfectly clingy. Simple enough for my children to whip up as well!
My Kindergartener Can Prepare This Dish – And I Truly, Really Enjoy It
This is a milestone in parenting!
I adore the concept of aligning your child’s age with a number of culinary goals – for instance, at 5 years old, you master 5 dishes. (I got this concept from Nita and Jess at Healthy Happy Eaters – they’re fantastic.)
Since my daughter’s go-to dinner is spaghetti, I thought making it in the Instant Pot could simplify the process:
- only one pot to clean.
- no cutting board necessary.
- it features higher sides to minimize splatter.
- no need to drain hot water.
Initially, we started making it this way “to assist her” but soon discovered… Instant Pot spaghetti is genuinely special. It’s smooth, flavorful, and wonderfully clingy. It pairs perfectly with our family favorite garlic bread and air fryer broccoli.
Now, when my family asks for spaghetti at dinner (whether it’s me or my daughter who makes it), THIS is the spaghetti they crave. Some may take issue with breaking the noodles to fit – but in our home, we embrace it, and the shorter noodles are ideal for kids.
The proportions are just right: hearty, saucy, and incredibly comforting. A guaranteed hit with my children and my husband every time.
(I’d gladly make this for myself even without kids!)
Hope you enjoy it! If you’re a fan of simple dinner recipes – explore this extensive collection of all my favorite dishes!
See How To Prepare This Dish
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Total Time:
35 minutesYield:
6 servings 1x
Description
This Instant Pot Spaghetti is a family favorite! Smooth, tasty, and perfectly clingy. Simple enough for my children to whip up as well!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Instant Pot Spaghetti:
Extras / Toppings:
Instructions
- Meat: Activate the sauté function in the Instant Pot. Add oil, ground meat, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, garlic, and salt to the Instant Pot. It should sizzle. Sauté until the meat is browned and fully cooked.
- Sauce: Include the jar of sauce, water, and noodles. Ensure the noodles are submerged beneath the liquid.
- Cook: Cover, seal, and set to high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Release Steam: Place a towel over the vent to prevent splatters; release the steam immediately to avoid overcooking the noodles.
- Rest: Upon opening the lid, the noodles will appear cooked and saucy. Use tongs to mix it up and distribute the sauce; let everything sit for 10 minutes. This is crucial as the noodles will absorb the sauce, ensuring everything clings together perfectly!
- Done! Stir in the butter until melted and slightly creamy. Garnish with Parmesan, serve with our favorite garlic bread for dipping in the sauce, and complement with a simple green salad on the side. Oh so delicious.
Notes
I personally enjoy preparing this with Italian sausage! It’s more flavorful (you can even omit the salt because the sausage itself is often salty). So, sausage is my preference – although my family prefers the classic ground beef, which is what I’ve included in the recipe. 🙂
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: instant pot spaghetti, easy spaghetti recipe, kid-friendly recipe, instant pot pasta recipe
Additional Favorite Kid-Friendly Recipes
**Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Recipe: A Quick and Tasty Meal**
Spaghetti is a beloved classic, and with the aid of a pressure cooker, you can create it swiftly and seamlessly. This approach saves time while infusing the pasta with rich flavors. Here’s a detailed guide to crafting a delectable pressure cooker spaghetti.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
– 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning meat)
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
– 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce or tomato sauce
– 3 cups water or beef broth
– 12 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Brown the Meat:**
– Set your pressure cooker to sauté mode. If desired, add olive oil and brown the ground beef or sausage until fully cooked. Break into small pieces during cooking. Drain any excess fat before moving on.
2. **Sauté the Aromatics:**
– Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the meat mixture. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and aromatic.
3. **Season the Mixture:**
– Incorporate the salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to ensure the meat and onions are evenly coated with the spices.
4. **Add Sauce and Water:**
– Pour in the marinara sauce and water or beef broth. Stir to combine all ingredients.
5. **Add the Spaghetti:**
– Break the spaghetti in half and layer it on top of the meat and sauce. Avoid stirring. Instead, gently press the spaghetti down with a spoon to ensure it’s submerged in the liquid.
6. **Cook Under Pressure:**
– Attach the lid on the pressure cooker, setting it to high pressure for 8 minutes. Ensure the valve is in the sealing position.
7. **Release Pressure:**
– After the cooking time is up, perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to venting. Wait for the steam to escape completely before opening the lid.
8. **Stir and Serve:**
– Once the lid is open, stir the spaghetti to mix it with the sauce. If the sauce appears too thin, let it sit for a few minutes to thicken. If it’s too thick, add a little more water or broth.
9. **Garnish and Enjoy:**
– Serve the spaghetti hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley if you like.
**Tips for Perfect Pressure Cooker Spaghetti:**
– **Prevent Sticking:** Ensure the spaghetti is thoroughly submerged in the liquid to avoid sticking or clumping.
– **Adjusting Consistency:** You can modify the sauce’s consistency by adding more liquid or letting it sit uncovered for a bit.
– **Vegetarian Option:** Omit the meat and incorporate vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini for a veggie version.
Using this pressure cooker spaghetti recipe, you can savor a hearty and flavorful meal in significantly less time than traditional spaghetti cooking. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or when a quick and satisfying dinner is needed.