Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs
Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs is one of my favorite busy weeknight dinners. Just add all the uncooked ingredients to the pot, press a button, and let the Instant pot do the work.
Instant Pot recipes are so convenient! Try Beef Gyros, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot Spaghetti, Instant Pot Short Ribs, or Instant Pot Meatloaf!
Every busy family needs this Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs recipe.
This recipe has saved me more than once, and made me look like the most put together Mom in the world, when I’m actually just trying not to drop every ball I’m juggling. It doesn’t get easier than adding uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, tomato sauce and spices to a pot, and voila, dinner is ready at the press of a button. It still has an elevated edge to it, with a homemade sauce, rather than jarred, and you could use from-scratch frozen cooked meatballs, too.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot, here are my tips for how to use your Instant Pot, and all of my Instant Pot recipes.
How to make Instant Pot Pasta with Meatballs:
Layer Ingredients: Add frozen meatballs to Instant pot and add uncooked pasta on top. Add water, followed by crushed tomatoes, seasonings, and tomato sauce. Make sure the sauce is covering all of the noodles.
Cook: Cook on manual, high pressure, for half of the cook time it instructs on the box of pasta. Quick release to release pressure. Serve instant pot pasta with grated parmesan cheese and some breadsticks or garlic knots on the side.
Recipe Variations:
Homemade Meatballs: prepare homemade meatball, but to cook, use the instant pot, on sauté setting, brown them lightly on all sides, in a little oil. You don’t need to cook them all the way through. Continue with recipes steps as instructed, adding uncooked pasta, sauces, spices and water on top, and cooking at high pressure.
Spicy: use crushed fire roasted tomatoes instead of the crushed tomatoes, and add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Veggies: Stir in fresh spinach at the end.
More Recipes with Meatballs:
Swedish Meatballs
Meatballs Arrabbiata
BBQ Meatballs
Meatball Subs
Hawaiian Meatballs
Mediterranean Meatball Bowl
Baked Chicken Meatballs
Green Curry Meatballs
Air Fryer Meatballs
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
One Pan Meatball Casserole
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Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs
Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs is one of my favorite busy weeknight dinners! Dump uncooked pasta, meatballs, and a simple sauce ingredients to the Instant Pot then minutes later dinner is on the table! This is a family meal staple everyone needs!
Course Main CourseCuisine American, Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes minutesCook Time 25 minutes minutesTotal Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 8
Calories 547kcal
Author Lauren Allen
Equipmentinstant pot
Ingredients2 pounds frozen cooked meatballs*1 pound penne pasta3 cups water24 oz can crushed tomatoes8 oz can tomato sauce1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasonings½ teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar1 teaspoon dried minced onion3 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves , chopped (or 2 tsp. dried)1 Tablespoon red wine vinegarsalt and pepperfreshly grated parmesan cheese , for toppingfresh chopped parsley , for garnishcrushed red pepper flakes , optional for garnish
InstructionsDISCLAIMER: I developed and tested this recipe using my 6-QUART INSTANT POT DUO. If you’re using a larger IP or a newer brand you may need to add more liquid so that you don’t get a burn notice. (The new IP are much more sensitive). Refer to this article for more information on adapting recipes for your instant pot.Layer ingredients in Instant Pot: Spray the bottom of the instant pot with nonstick cooking spray. Add frozen meatballs, then dry pasta, spreading into an even layer. Pour water over pasta. Add crushed tomatoes, seasonings and tomato sauce and gently tomato sauce and seasonings. Smooth the sauce to completely cover the noodles.Cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 4-5 minutes (half the cook time listed on the box of pasta).Do a controlled quick release when timer beeps. Stir. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh grated parmesan on top, and extra chopped fresh basil, if desired.
Video
NotesHomemade Meatballs: prepare homemade meatball, but to cook, use the instant pot, on sauté setting, brown them lightly on all sides, in a little oil. You don’t need to cook them all the way through. Continue with recipes steps as instructed, adding uncooked pasta, sauces, spices and water on top, and cooking at high pressure.
Spicy: use crushed fire roasted tomatoes instead of the crushed tomatoes, and add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Veggies: Stir in fresh spinach at the end of cooking.
NutritionCalories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 332mg | Potassium: 809mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 11.2mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3.3mg
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I originally shared this recipe February 2019. Updated August 2022 and October 2024.
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