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You want some spaghetti, but don’t want to drag out the large pots for boiling water and for cooking the sauce. You want to make a smaller amount. You’re not in the mood to stand at the stove for a long time. And you want it to taste good. This is the perfect time to make a small batch of Instant Pot Mini – Spaghetti. In this continuing “Mini Series” I give you a tasty and easy recipe for spaghetti in the 3 quart electric pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Mini – Spaghetti
If Paul goes out of town, I’m cooking for one. I don’t mind having leftovers, but my normal pot of spaghetti that I have made for years yields enough to feed 10 people! That’s a bit too much.
The 3 quart Instant Pot pressure cooker is the perfect size for making spaghetti for one or two servings. This Instant Pot Mini – Spaghetti recipe yields 3 cups, so that’s two servings for me.
I like to use marinara if I’m using jarred sauce, as I can spice it up to my liking. If you have a favorite jarred sauce, then just add in the onion and garlic as written in this recipe. It will enhance the flavor of the sauce nicely.
I have had great results with this recipe delivering noodles that don’t stick together. It’s all in how you put them in the sauce. Break them in thirds, then you have to arrange them in a random pattern, changing directions so they don’t all lay with their sides touching.
Then just push them down into the sauce without stirring it. Just make sure they get submerged. When they are done just stir them up!
Instant Pot Mini – Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Mini – Sweet Potato Chili
Instant Pot Mini – Jerk Thighs and Rice
Instant Pot Mini – Tasty Black Beans
Instant Pot Mini – Tortellini Soup
Instant Pot Mini – Cornish Game Hen
Instant Pot Mini – Game Hen Noodle Soup
Instant Pot Mini - Spaghetti
Ingredients
- ½ lb Ground Beef, lean (or lean ground turkey)
- ½ small Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, finely minced (or ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder)
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 1 cup Water
- 4 oz Spaghetti Noodles, broken in thirds
- 1 ½ cups Spaghetti Sauce* (jarred, or homemade)
- Salt & Pepper to taste (will depend on how salty your sauce is)
To Finish
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Optional
- ½ cup Mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup Bell Pepper, chopped
- 5 Fresh Basil Leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Turn on the Sauté function (Normal/Med heat). When the display reads “Hot” add the meat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until almost done. If using ground turkey you may need to add a little oil first.
- If using mushrooms, and/or bell pepper, add them and cook with the meat or with the onion.
- Add the onion, cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to turn translucent.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and stir. Cancel the Sauté setting.
- Add the water.
- Sprinkle on the noodles in a criss cross pattern, varying the placement so not all of them are laying side by side. This is to minimize them sticking together. Use a spoon to gently press them down, but do not stir it.
- Add spaghetti sauce over noodles, covering them completely. Do Not Stir.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker and lock it into place. Set the steam release knob to Sealing.
- Press the Pressure Cook (Manual) button and then the + or - button to choose 9 minutes (or 7 minutes for firmer al dente).
- When the cook cycle is finished, let the pot sit and naturally release pressure for 2 minutes (I use a heartier pasta, if you don't, then do a Quick Release). Then manually release the remaining pressure by turning the steam release knob to Venting.
- When the pin in the lid drops, it is safe to open the lid. Open and stir the spaghetti. Separate any noodles that may have stuck together. Taste and adjust salt, if needed.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese and serve garnished with fresh basil, or with any garnish you like.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi
I am wondering how to cook penne in 3 qt IP?
I usually cook penne for 5 minutes, high pressure. Same liquid to pasta ratio.
I am thinking Of adding mushrooms but you don’t tell me when to add the optional ingredients and can I use fresh mushrooms or do they have to be cooked first or do I use canned mushrooms? Thanks for any help!
You can add them with the meat or with the onion and that will work!
My go-to recipe. Perfect every time–no matter how I make substitutions. Have shared with many of my friends. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
Perfect spaghetti! We love it!
My favorite Instant Pot spaghetti recipe. I have enjoyed many of your recipes. Thank you for making these wonderful recipes available online.
Is 1 1/2 cups sauce a 24 ounce jar?
1 1/2 cups is about half a jar or 12 oz.
I use my homemade sauce for this and it is delicious!