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Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner

Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner
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A quick and comforting Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner featuring tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly seasoned meat all cooked effortlessly in one pot. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers a flavorful, family-friendly meal with minimal prep and cook time.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • Spaghetti noodles (8 ounces)
  • Ground beef or turkey (1 pound)
  • Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
  • Onion, chopped (1 medium)
  • Garlic, minced (3 cloves)
  • Crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce (24 ounces)
  • Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • Water or broth (2 cups)
  • Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)

Optional Variations

  • Mushrooms or lentils (1 cup) as a vegetarian substitute for meat
  • Red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños (to taste) for heat
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup) to stir in during last minutes
  • Zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles (substitute for spaghetti to reduce carbs)
  • Extra veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini (1 cup mixed, optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Aromatics and Meat: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add olive oil. Cook the chopped onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking it apart for even texture.
  2. Add Sauce and Seasonings: Pour in crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the flavors meld with the meat for a couple of minutes.
  3. Layer the Spaghetti: Break spaghetti noodles in half and layer evenly over the sauce without stirring to prevent sticking. Pour in enough water or broth to just cover the pasta by about half an inch.
  4. Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to manual pressure cook for 8 minutes. When done, carefully use quick release to reduce pressure and open the lid.
  5. Stir and Finish: Stir the spaghetti well to combine all ingredients and coat noodles evenly. If desired, add shredded cheese and let it melt for a minute before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t stir before cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
  • Measure liquids carefully; enough to cover pasta but not too much to avoid burning.
  • Use quick-release pressure to keep noodles perfectly al dente.
  • Brown the meat well for better flavor and texture.
  • Experiment with sauce variations like spicy arrabbiata or creamy tomato for new tastes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, spaghetti dinner, quick pasta recipe, pressure cooker meal, one-pot dinner, family friendly, easy weeknight meal

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