Family favorite Instant Pot Spaghetti is an easy and delicious meal for busy weeknights! Made with jarred marinara sauce (or homemade if you prefer). This comforting, classic spaghetti recipe is ready in 30 minutes and the whole family will love it!
Spaghetti has always been on my weeknight meal rotation. Kids love it, adults love it, and it’s so easy to make this comfort food meal on busy nights.
Sometimes, though, you wish things took just a little bit less time, so I decided to create a simple recipe for making spaghetti in the Instant Pot.
Tip: I love using my quick and easy marinara sauce for this recipe, but you can use any jarred sauce that you have on hand.
This spaghetti recipe makes enough for 4-6 people, but it’s also great for leftovers! Reheating is simple and the spaghetti continues to taste delicious for 2-3 days when refrigerated in an air-tight container.
Reader
Love
Simple and so delicious!! My kids raved about it! I made it initially with ground turkey as it was all I had and made tonight with ground beef! Thanks for this recipe! Second time making it as requested by my kids!🤗🙌🏼
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Ingredient notes
- Marinara Sauce – You can use jarred or homemade marinara sauce.
- Dry Spaghetti – Or another favorite pasta shape. See suggestions below.
- Ground Beef – I prefer to use lean ground beef. You can also use Italian sausage, ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Olive Oil
- Spices – Oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Or, just add in a pinch of Italian seasoning.
- Bone Broth – Or, low-sodium chicken broth or water.
- Parmesan Cheese – For serving. Optional.
What noodles to use
I used regular spaghetti noodles for this recipe. However, any noodle shape will work! Just adjust the cook time to half the time of the package cooking directions. For example, thin spaghetti will cook in less time.
How to make instant pot pasta with jar sauce
Cook the beef
Set the Instant Pot to SAUTÉ and add olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, and season with salt, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder. Break the beef into small pieces and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink.
Add the noodles
When the beef is cooked, hit CANCEL, add 1 cup of chicken broth, and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot using a wooden spoon. Then, break the uncooked spaghetti noodles in half and arrange them in the pot in alternating directions. Finally, add the marinara sauce, but do not stir.
Pour in liquids
Rinse the pasta sauce jar with 1 cup of the remaining broth (pour the broth into the jar and swirl), then pour over the pasta with the additional 1 ½ cups of broth. Again, do not stir, but gently press the noodles down with a spoon to ensure that they are submerged in the liquid.
Cook
Now, place the lid on the pot and set the valve to seal. Pressure cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes cooking time (or half the time of the package cooking directions). It will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build, then a countdown timer will begin.
Garnish and serve
When the time is up, quick release the pressure and remove the lid. Give it a good stir to break up the noodles, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese and/or fresh basil.
Recipe tips and variations
- If your noodles aren’t fully cooked, use the sauté function for an additional few minutes to further cook.
- If you get a burn message, you may need to add more liquid. Also, be sure that the sealing ring is on properly.
- Try swapping in ground turkey or italian sausage for the ground beef.
- If you don’t like meat, you can opt for Instant Pot spaghetti without meat and substitute your favorite tofu or vegetable.
- You can also use whole wheat spaghetti in this recipe. Simply adjust the cook time to half the time of the package cooking directions.
What to serve with it
I always like to pair spaghetti with something light and fresh to balance out the heavier sauce and pasta. Here are some of my favorite, quick and easy sides that pair perfectly with your Instant Pot spaghetti.
Erin’s wine pairings
- I generally prefer a lighter red wine with my spaghetti dinner, usually choosing a Pinot Noir or Grenache. These lighter-bodied wines are a delicious companion to the heavier, tomato-based spaghetti.
- MORE → the BEST wines to pair with pasta.
More easy instant pot dinners
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More → 35+ Ground Beef Recipes, plus 30+ Ground Beef Pasta Recipes!
Full Recipe
Instant Pot Spaghetti with Jar Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef (Can substitute Italian sausage, ground turkey or ground chicken)
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 ½ cups bone broth (can substitute low-sodium chicken broth (or water), divided)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (homemade or jarred)
- 1 pound spaghetti (uncooked)
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, and season with salt, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder. Cook, breaking the beef into small pieces, until cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Hit CANCEL and add 1 cup broth. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Break the noodles in half and arrange them in the pot in alternating directions. Add the sauce. Do not stir.
- Rinse the pasta sauce jar with 1 cup of the remaining broth (pour the broth into the jar and swirl), then pour over the pasta with the additional 1 ½ cups broth. Again, do not stir, but gently press the noodles down with a spoon to ensure that they are submerged in the liquid.
- Place the lid on the pot and set to seal. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build, then a countdown timer will begin.
- When the time is up, quick release the pressure and remove the lid.
- Stir to break up the noodles. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Notes
- Any type of dry noodles will work for this recipe. Simply adjust the amount of cook time to half the cook time shown on the package directions.
- If your noodles aren’t fully cooked, use the sauté function for an additional few minutes to further cook.
- If you don’t like meat, you can opt for Instant Pot spaghetti without meat and substitute your favorite tofu or vegetable.
Nutrition
This pressure cooker spaghetti recipe was originally published in 2021. It was updated in 2023 to add new information. The recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
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