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 is a quick and tasty spaghetti made in your 3 quart electric pressure cooker. Makes 3 cups.
- ½ lb Ground Beef, lean (or lean ground turkey)
- ½ small Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, pressed or finely minced
- 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 the sauce you use is)
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- ½ cup Mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup Bell Pepper, chopped
- 5 Fresh Basil Leaves, chopped
-
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.
-
Add the onion, cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to turn translucent.
-
Add garlic, 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 with any garnish you like.
*Depending on how seasoned your spaghetti sauce is, you might want to consider adding extra spices. I use marinara sauce, so I have to add spices. I like Italian seasoning, oregano, and a bay leaf.
Resources to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti Recipe and More
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Margaret
I look forward to trying this recipe w/o meat and using GF pasta. Would the pressure cook or steam release time change? Thanks!
Sandy
Hi Margaret, the only things that will change are the cook time for not frying meat (but you still cook the onion), and the GF pasta cook time. Every pasta is different. Usually half the recommended cook time, or a minute less. It depends on what it is made out of, rice, corn, etc.
Shanon
Can I do this with meatballs?
Sandy
Yes, just have them on the bottom.
Cathy Ford
Purchased my Instant Pot Mini last week and tried your spaghetti recipe. It was delicious. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes.
Sandy
Hi Cathy! I'm happy you liked the spaghetti! Thank you for your review!
Ronald W Delnicki
I was going to get another small slow cooker for my truck(I am an over the road trucker driver) when i splurged and bought my mini I-P. Tried out this spaghetti recipe this weekend. Results? FANTASTIC. Only variation was I also added some pepperoni.Taste?I thought it was even better than leftover spaghetti, and everyone knows 2nd day is better. Can't wait to try the mac and cheese! Ron
Candace
Thank you for the info on converting recipes for 6 quart to 3 quart mini. Because many recipes cannot be halved without adjusting the temperature, the times, or the ratio of spices or other ingredients. The info that came with the mini said nothing about converting recipes. I was not only disappointed but angry that I spent so much on an appliance and the company couldn't bother to provide some recipes for guaranteed success and info on conversion. I contacted the company with no response from them. Thanks again.
Sandy
Hi Candace, I hear you. I'm still working on more 3 qt recipes, so please check back. If you ever have a question, please ask! Take care.
Kim Boyd
Do you think vermicelli or angel hair pasta would overcook ?Thanks
Sandy
Hi Kim. yes, I do think they would overcook. You could try thin spaghetti, which is in between spaghetti and angel hair. Reduce the cook time by a minute or two. When I use vermicelli, usually in a soup, I add it after pressure cooking. Then I just simmer it for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is soft.
Silvia
what about a smaller type pasta like penne or bowtie? would the cook times need to be adjusted?
Sandy
The rule of thumb with pasta is to cook it for half of the time the package directions say to. So if the package calls for 9 minutes, do 4 minutes for more al dente, and 5 minutes for softer pasta.
Vada
I made this recipe with fake meat crumbles. Nothing fancy, I mainly wanted to make sure that the texture of the pasta would be correct.
It was great! Next time I can doctor it up with mushrooms, etc.
Thank you!
Sandy
That's great, Vada. I really like pasta done in the IP. Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your review!