Everyone in my family adores this Instant Pot Spaghetti! Smooth, tasty, and wonderfully clingy. It’s simple enough for my kids to whip it up too!
My Kindergartener Can Make This Recipe – And I Really, Truly Enjoy It
It’s a parenting milestone!
I appreciate the concept of aligning your child’s age with a set number of target recipes – for instance, when you turn 5 – you master 5 recipes. (This idea came from Nita and Jess at Healthy Happy Eaters – they are amazing.)
My daughter adores spaghetti for dinner, so I thought utilizing the Instant Pot might make it feel more doable:
- it’s just one pot.
- no need for a cutting board.
- it has taller sides which helps to minimize splatters.
- no need to drain boiling water.
Initially, we aimed to make it this way “to assist her,” but we soon discovered… Instant Pot spaghetti is indeed quite special. It’s smooth, flavorful, and super clingy. Pairs perfectly with the family-favorite garlic bread and air fryer broccoli.
Nowadays, when my family asks for spaghetti for dinner (whether I make it or my daughter does), THIS is the spaghetti they refer to. Some might take issue with breaking the noodles to fit – but we embrace it, and the shorter noodles are excellent for kids.
The balance of ingredients is just to my liking: hearty, saucy, and incredibly comforting. A guaranteed hit with my children and my husband every time.
(I’d still make this even if I were childless!)
Hope you enjoy it! If you love uncomplicated dinner recipes – explore this extensive page of all my top picks!
Watch How To Create This Instant Pot Spaghetti
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Total Time:
35 minutesYield:
6 servings 1x
Description
Everyone in my family enjoys this Instant Pot Spaghetti! Smooth, flavorful, and a wonderfully clingy dish. Simple enough for my kids to prepare it too!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Instant Pot Spaghetti:
Extras / Toppings:
Instructions
- Meat: Activate the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Add oil, ground meat, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, garlic, and salt. It should sizzle. Sauté until the meat is browned and thoroughly cooked.
- Sauce: Add the jar of sauce, the water, Better than Bouillon, and the noodles. Ensure that the noodles are submerged in the liquid.
- Cook: Cover, seal, and cook at high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Release Steam: Place a towel over the vent to prevent splatters; release steam immediately to prevent overcooking the noodles.
- Rest: When you lift the cover, the noodles will be cooked and will appear quite saucy/wet. Use tongs to mix it and distribute the sauce; let it sit for 10 minutes. This is vital because the noodles will soak up the sauce and everything will adhere perfectly!
- Done! Mix in the butter until melted and slightly creamy. Garnish with Parmesan, serve alongside the beloved garlic bread to dip into the sauce, and pair with a simple green salad. Oh so delicious.
Notes
I personally enjoy making this with Italian sausage! It has more flavor (you can even omit the salt since the sausage is quite salty). So, sausage is my favorite – however, my family prefers it with the classic ground beef, so that’s what I’m including 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you prepare this on the stove instead of in the Instant Pot?
Absolutely! You can create this one-pot spaghetti directly on the stove! Just follow the instructions as intended, but instead of using pressure in the Instant Pot, allow it to simmer covered on the stovetop until the noodles are cooked, stirring occasionally.
What alternative meats can you use?
Usually, we prepare this with ground beef, but I prefer it with Italian sausage even more. Ground turkey is also a viable option for a healthier choice!
What if I don’t have Better Than Bouillon?
Simply substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or replace the water with chicken broth.
How can I incorporate onions?
When the ground beef is nearly cooked through, add some diced onion and sauté until softened.
Is it possible to make this vegetarian / meatless?
Sure! Just skip the meat. You might want to slightly decrease the water to avoid it being overly saucy.
More Favorite Kid-Friendly Recipes
**Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Recipe: A Quick and Delicious Meal**
Spaghetti is a timeless dish cherished by many for its ease and savory flavors. While traditional spaghetti cooking methods can be time-consuming, utilizing a pressure cooker can greatly lessen the cooking time without compromising taste. Here’s a guide for creating a delightful pressure cooker spaghetti perfect for hectic week nights.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
– 1 medium onion, diced
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon pepper
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
– 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
– 3 cups water or beef broth
– 12 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Pressure Cooker:**
– Set the pressure cooker to sauté mode. Add olive oil and allow it to heat.
2. **Cook the Meat:**
– Introduce the ground beef or sausage into the pressure cooker. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
3. **Sauté Vegetables:**
– Incorporate diced onion and minced garlic into the meat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion turns translucent.
4. **Season the Mixture:**
– Mix in salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Combine all the flavors thoroughly.
5. **Add Sauce and Liquid:**
– Pour in the marinara sauce along with water or beef broth. Stir to blend with the meat and vegetables.
6. **Add Spaghetti:**
– Break the spaghetti in half and layer it over the sauce mixture. Gently press down to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid, but do not stir.
7. **Cook Under Pressure:**
– Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and set to sealing. Cook at high pressure for 8 minutes.
8. **Release Pressure:**
– After the cooking time, perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to venting. Allow steam to escape completely before opening.
9. **Stir and Serve:**
– Open the lid and mix the spaghetti to incorporate it with the sauce. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to thicken, if necessary.
10. **Garnish and Enjoy:**
– Serve the spaghetti hot, adorned with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
**Tips for Ideal Pressure Cooker Spaghetti:**
– **Prevent Overcooking:** Keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid mushy spaghetti.
– **Customize the Sauce:** Feel free to add vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms for enhanced nutrition and flavor.
– **Choose Your Protein:** Swap ground beef with turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative for a unique twist.
Using a pressure cooker for spaghetti not only conserves time but also enriches the pasta with deep flavors while it cooks in the sauce. This method guarantees a hearty, satisfying meal that requires minimal effort, making it the perfect choice for any spaghetti aficionado.