This easy and tasty Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner can be on the table in under an hour! Using frozen, pre-cooked meatballs, and a jarred pasta sauce, you can let the Instant Pot do all of the work for a pressure cooker meatball pasta dinner!
Originally published 9/13/2017
Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner
I love to cook. I mean, I do have a food blog! But there are those days. You know what I mean. Days that get busy with so many commitments that you finally get home and just have a stare down with your stove. Yep. Been there.
Sometimes you get take out, but if you have more than one or two mouths to feed, it can get expensive. Not to mention the time it takes to order and go get it, or have it delivered.
If you have a box of pasta, a jar of sauce, and some frozen meatballs, you can make a tasty and filling dinner for the family that won't take too long, and won't break the bank! This recipe makes a lot!
Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner is all about layers. You just layer the ingredients in the order I'm going to show you. Don't stir it. Set the pot and go do something else for about 30 minutes (**It can take about 20 minutes for the pot to come to pressure, but that's no biggie as it only cooks for about 5 minutes!).
When it is done, you Quick Release the pressure, stir it. Eat dinner!
Step 1) Put frozen pre-cooked meatballs in the pot.
Step 2) Pour in a 1 lb box of pasta.
Step 3) Open a can of diced tomatoes and pour it over the pasta.
Step 4) Pour a jar of pasta sauce (Marinara is my favorite) on and completely cover the pasta.
Step 5) Fill that pasta jar with water or broth 1 and ¼ times and pour the liquid down the inside of the side of the pot so as not to wash the sauce off of the pasta.
Step 6) Sprinkle on the spices you want. I use Marinara sauce, so I use more.
DO NOT STIR!
Just close the lid and set the time for 5 minutes, or half of what the package says to do. 5 minutes works perfect on Penne, which is my favorite! **Due to the frozen meatballs, the pot can take 20 minutes to come to pressure. But it only cooks for a few minutes, so it's still a fast meal!** When it's done, do a Quick Release of the pressure. Stir it. Add cheese if you want. Eat it! EASY and TASTY!
Watch this video to see how easy it is to make Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner
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Get dinner on the table in under an hour! This Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner uses pre-cooked frozen meatballs, jarred sauce, and spices to make it easy and delicious! A semi-homemade meal for a busy day!
- 2 lbs Frozen Cooked Meatballs (small size)
- 1 lb Uncooked Pasta (I like penne or rotini best)
- 1 (24 oz) Jar of Pasta Sauce (I use Marinara)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
- 3 ¾ cups Broth or Water (fill the sauce jar 1 and ¼ times with broth or water)
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 3 teaspoons Dehydrated Onion
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded (optional)
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Add the meatballs to the pot.
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Pour pasta on top and spread out in an even layer.
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Pour the can of tomatoes over the pasta, evenly.
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Pour the jar of pasta sauce over, evenly, covering the pasta entirely.
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Pour the jar with the broth or water along the inside of the pot, making sure you don't pour it over the sauce and expose the pasta. Exposing the pasta may cause it to be undercooked in those areas (Remember to use 1 ¼ jars of liquid, which is 3 ¾ cups).
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Sprinkle the spices over the sauce.
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Put the lid on the Pot and set the knob to Sealing.
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Press the Pressure Cook (or Manual) button or dial, and then the + or - button to choose 5 minutes (or half of the cooking time on the pasta package directions).
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**The pot may take up to 20 minutes to get to pressure, due to the frozen meatballs!**
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When the cooking cycle has ended, do a Controlled Quick Release* of the pressure until the pin drops.
*A controlled quick release means you release the steam in short bursts, then longer bursts, until you can be sure none of the sauce spews out of the vent with the steam from the intense pressure. Then fully open the vent and let it go.
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Carefully open the lid, facing it away from you.
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Stir contents and mix in the Parmesan cheese.
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Taste and add more salt & pepper if needed.
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Top with the Mozzarella cheese, if using, and cover the pot with a lid (or just use a plate) to help the cheese melt.
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Serve!
**The pot may take up to 20 minutes to get to pressure, Due to the frozen meatballs! But once it does, it's a quick cook time with a quick release of the pressure.**
RESOURCES TO MAKE Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner recipe and more
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Lisa B
Thank you for giving me another reason to use the Instant Pot. Toddler loved this. Made it during her afternoon nap, and it was ready for dinner. Added chopped onions and bell peppers (which she meticulously picked out) with the sauce layer.
Tony
Eating now....FANTASTIC!!
Add another jar of sauce instead of the tomatoes......came out PERFECT!!😎🍺🍺
Sheryl
Could you use frozen ravioli in place of the dried pasta? I love new Instant Pot recipes and this sounds delish!
Sandy
I haven't tried it, but it sounds delicious!
Elaine
Thanks for this recipe -- I added the 3-3/4 cups of water right on top of the meatballs, before the pasta and everything else, just to simplify it even further. I also took the advice of another reviewer and stirred in some ricotta (with the Parmesan) when it was finished cooking. This is a wonderful "lasagna" meal for a busy night. Great addition to my Instant Pot recipe file!
Sarah Stierch
Hello! This was great and was my first pasta-in-an-Instant Pot experience. I'm single and live alone, so I halved it with a bag of Trader Joe's turkey meatballs, 1/3 a container of spicy Rao's tomato sauce, half a box of pasta, and a tetrapak of chopped tomatoes I had on hand. I forgot about cheese, but it was delish so no biggie.
Now I have leftovers for a few days and everything cooked perfectly. I also put the water over the meatballs before adding in the sauce and pasta. I'm new to the cooking at home for myself thing (despite being in my late 30s) and really appreciated this recipe. THANK YOU!
Sandy
That's great, Sarah! I'm so glad you could make it work for you!
Haley M Chapman
If I make this in a Mini, should I half the recipe?? Thanks!
Sandy
Yes, and keep the cook time the same.
Bonnie
Where. In the layer would you suggest adding ricotta cheese?
Sandy
I would add it on top of the sauce, or just stir it in after pressure cooking.