Instant Pot Spaghetti is my latest Instant Pot Mini recipe. I love this recipe because it comes together so quickly, but tastes like it was cooked all day long!
I left town for 4 days, and came back to a brand new Instant Pot Mini on my mom's kitchen counter. We normally discuss these kinds of purchases beforehand (and, we usually buy things like this together), but she just went out and bought one while I was gone. I was shocked!
Like any new Instant Pot owner, she's perusing the internet for Instant Pot recipes. She found a bunch she wants to make, but quickly realized they weren't portioned for the Instant Pot Mini. It looks like I'm coming to the rescue!
So, from now on, all of my Instant Pot Mini recipes will be requests from my Mom. It's not a bad deal. She has excellent taste, so I think you'll be happy, too.
The first recipe to catch her eye was Instant Pot Spaghetti. I scaled it down for her to make in the Instant Pot Mini, and I think you'll really love it, too! It uses just a half-pound of ground beef (turkey is great here, too), and fresh onion and tomato paste for a flavor boost.
Be sure you push the noodles down so that they're all covered by the liquid before cooking. Then, give it a good stir, awkward though, it is. The more I stir and separate the noodles before I pressure cook, the better my results. My last two batches didn't have any stuck-together noodles.
When it comes to liquid, I used chicken broth because I had some in the fridge, but water is just fine, too!
How many servings does this Instant Pot Spaghetti make?
This recipe makes two very big bowls (more than what is pictured), so I would say about 3 average-sized bowls of pasta. It was the perfect amount for me, my husband, and our toddler to eat for dinner one night. Let's say it's a 'generous serving for two,' but still very clearly not enough for 4-6, like most recipes make.
I'm always going to be your small-batch girl.
Can you just cut regular Instant Pot recipes in half for the Instant Pot Mini?
It really depends; sometimes you can, but sometimes you can't. A few people have done it successfully, but I have had issues with the cook times and liquid ratios. If you cut a recipe in half, I would also decrease the cooking time by about 20%. As for liquid, please be mindful of the 'max fill' line on the inside of the pot.
If you accidentally end up with too much liquid after cooking, you can use the SAUTE function to boil off some liquid.
It's common to end up with too much liquid when adapting Instant Pot recipes, because liquid doesn't evaporate from a pressure cooker like it can on the stove top. This instant pot spaghetti should only be doubled carefully. At worst case, you can drain excess liquid.
Can you double my Instant Pot Mini recipes for your larger Instant Pot?
This one is a clear YES. Several people doubled my Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings to make in their 6-quart model, and said it worked great. I wish I could test all variations of a recipe for you guys, but honestly, I just cook for two. And, like, it would be weird to scale a recipe down for two, and then scale it back up. You know what I mean? I would be cooking in circles all day.
Browse through the comments on any of my instant pot recipes, and you'll see notes from people about doubling recipes. I love when you guys share this information in the comments section!
If you're looking for an easy place to start with the instant pot, I always suggest my instant pot butter chicken. It's creamy, easy, and everyone loves it! I made it for my in-laws who don't love spice and curry-like flavors, and they loved it. It might have even inspired an instant pot mini purchase of her own!
You can use your instant pot for side dishes, too, not just main courses! I'm actually terrible at making side dishes in real life, so I rely on my instant pot mashed potatoes for two to make a meal more filling. My kids love my instant pot mac and cheese, and eat it almost weekly!
Side note: how much do I want to make this Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper from Emily next?
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce--made in the Instant Pot Mini 3-quart model.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ pound lean ground beef (or turkey)
- ½ a yellow onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup jarred spaghetti sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth (or water)
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 6 ounces spaghetti noodles
Instructions
- Press SAUTE on your Instant Pot Mini.
- Add the olive oil and ground beef to the Instant Pot.
- Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring and breaking up with a spoon occasionally.
- Next, add the chopped onion. Stir, and cook for about 4 minutes.
- Next, stir in the garlic, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, spaghetti sauce, tomato paste broth and Parmesan cheese. Stir very well.
- Turn off the instant pot.
- Break the noodles in half, and layer them in the tomato mixture, ensuring they are covered by the liquid.
- Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer for 8 minutes.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, and turn the valve to 'sealing.'
- When the timer goes off, very carefully do a forced pressure release. Cover your hand with a kitchen towel, and gently release the steam. When you hear the float valve drop down, all of the pressure is released.
- Open the lid to the instant pot. It may look like there is a bit too much liquid, but just stir until it all comes together.
- If it's still too much liquid for you, press SAUTE and cook to reduce for 2 minutes. My family likes a lot of sauce on their pasta.
- Divide into bowl, and serve topped with more Parmesan.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 289Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 949mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 21g
Kiyo says
Do you have a recipe for ziti in the instant pot ultra mini? I loved the spaghetti recipe. Want to try making ziti and lasagna in the ultra mini next.
Christina Lane says
I don't, but I will work on it! Like, baked ziti in the IP and a mini lasagna? Or lasagna soup?
Kiyo says
Yes. Baked ziti and lasagna in the instant pot mini.
ThereseH says
I'm making this right now, during an unprecedented heatwave in the Pacific Northwest! It's 40C outside. That NEVER happens here. I'm melting, but I'm hungry. I didn't have broth, so I used a 680ml can of Hunts Thick and Rich, and my fingers are crossed! I'm sure it will be fine. Thanks! I'll come back if I messed it up since I, um, didn't follow your recipe precisely. I hate it when people do that, but necessity is the mother of invention, so I'm hopeful it will be ok. Wish me luck!
Pamela Patti says
I tried making this in a regular sized crockpot and this recipe didn’t work. 😕
There wasn’t enough liquid and it burned up on the bottom.
I been trying to cook enough for just me and my husband.
Christina Lane says
This recipe is for the instant pot, not the crockpot.
ThereseH says
First update: I should have just used water! Why didn't I just follow your recipe?! And used one cup of that sauce, Oh well got the burn notice, took it out, emptied it into a bowl, cleaned the pot, added water and stirred thoroughly. I'll see if I can salvage the mess I've made. Insert eye roll. It tastes great, though! And the mistake is mine, entirely.
Stephanie says
Love your Instant Pot Mini recipes! I’ve made this one twice so far and it’s the perfect meal for my senior dad and I, especially as I am going through cancer treatment and don’t have the energy to do complicated meals right now. My picky dad even loves it… and he is one of those guys who will definitely comment if there’s “not enough meat” so I think the meat to sauce ratio is definitely on point. ;) I weigh my ground beef and pasta on a kitchen scale so I can make sure I’m grabbing the correct amount.
Christina Lane says
Thank you for commenting, Stephanie. I am thinking of you and your dad. I wish him a speedy recovery XOXO
Stephanie says
It’s actually me who is going through cancer treatment, but thank you so much, Christina. :) Just came back tonight to make it again—dad always goes for seconds and ruins my chance to have it leftover. Lol.
Stephanie says
Made this again tonight. It was the easiest thing I could think to make after having my all day chemo treatment today! I took a 3 hour nap then managed to throw this together in no time at all. Almost have the recipe memorized… and my dad is having seconds right now. 😂