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Meatball Pasta Dinner in a white bowl on wooden board next to golden fork and slices of bread

Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner

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!

Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword pressure cooker pasta meatballs recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 - 8
Calories 582 kcal
Author Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

  • 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)

If you use Marinara, Season it with These Spices - Your Chosen Sauce May Not Need Seasoning

  • 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • 3 teaspoons Dehydrated Onion
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Pepper

Optional Toppings

  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 ½ cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded (optional)

Instructions

Layer the Ingredients in the Pot - Do Not Stir!

  1. Add the meatballs to the pot.

  2. Pour pasta on top and spread out in an even layer.

  3. Pour the can of tomatoes over the pasta, evenly.

  4. Pour the jar of pasta sauce over, evenly, covering the pasta entirely.

  5. 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).

  6. Sprinkle the spices over the sauce.

Cooking

  1. Put the lid on the Pot and set the knob to Sealing.

  2. 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).

  3. **The pot may take up to 20 minutes to get to pressure, due to the frozen meatballs!**

  4. 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.

  5. Carefully open the lid, facing it away from you.
  6. Stir contents and mix in the Parmesan cheese.
  7. Taste and add more salt & pepper if needed.
  8. Top with the Mozzarella cheese, if using, and cover the pot with a lid (or just use a plate) to help the cheese melt.
  9. Serve!

Recipe Notes

**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.**