Picture this: you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table, and you need a meal that will let you multi-task. Well, let me introduce you to my Instant Pot bolognese recipe! This spaghetti with meat sauce recipe is made in one pot (including the pasta!) from start to finish, and just 5 minutes of prep. Then let the magic of the pressure cooking do all the work for you, letting you focus on something else.
Traditional Bolognese sauce requires hours of simmering to develop deep, rich flavors, but with the Instant Pot, you can achieve the same taste in a fraction of the time. The pressure cooker locks in all the goodness, creating a deliciously thick and savory sauce.
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Why We Love This Instant Pot Bolognese Recipe
- Everything goes into one pot!
Just sauté the meat and onions, layer the spaghetti noodles, pour over the sauce, and press cook. Can making spaghetti bolognese get any easier? Then let the dishwasher clean the pressure cooker liner! - It’s ready in just 30 minutes!
With just 5 minutes of hands-on prep work, then let the pressure cooker work its magic. - Our family-favorite recipe will become yours!
Everyone loves spaghetti, so you’re assured of full bellies and clean plates. Also, try our lemon butter shrimp pasta for another spaghetti favorite recipe!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground beef – I recommend using lean ground beef for this Instant Pot Bolognese to avoid draining the fat from the liner. But, my husband loves his spaghetti with ground Italian sausage instead of ground beef. So I usually use that in place of ground beef. You can also substitute any type of ground meat, like turkey, pork, or chicken, for the beef.
- Onions – Generally, I use whatever onions I have on hand. You can use red, yellow, or white onions in this recipe.
- Spaghetti noodles – You can use any type of pasta, though if you use rigatoni, ziti, or similar medium-sized tubular pasta, increase the pressure cooking time by 2 minutes.
- Marinara sauce – I use our quick San Marzano marinara sauce (I usually double the recipe and use it for spaghetti in the Instant Pot, baked lasagna, and pizza sauce). But, you can use a 24-ounce jar of store-bought marinara or pasta sauce.
Optional ingredients: Depending on what’s in the produce drawer of the fridge, I like to add 1/2 cup of finely shredded carrots or 1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms – or add both!
Recipe Variations
- Meaty Bolognese – Swap out ground beef for ground turkey or ground pork.
- Spicy Bolognese – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Vegetable-loaded – Stir in mushrooms, zucchini, celery, or carrots for extra nutrition. Sauté them in olive oil before browning the meat for enhanced depth of flavor.
- Wine Bolognese – For extra depth of flavor, add a splash of dry red wine; it enhances the richness of the meat sauce.
- Low-carb – Swap traditional pasta for zucchini noodles (zoodles) for a keto-friendly and gluten-free alternative.
- Extra tomato flavor – Enhance the sauce by adding an extra tablespoon of tomato paste for a more concentrated, rich taste.
- Beefy Bolognese – Use beef broth instead of water for a deeper, more robust meaty flavor.
- Spiced-up Bolognese – Add extra spices like black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.
- Rustic tomato Bolognese – Use crushed tomatoes instead of diced for a slightly chunkier, rustic-style sauce.
Equipment Used in Our Recipe
- Instant Pot
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Tongs
How to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- Preheat the pressure cooker to sauté. When ready, sauté the ground meat and onions for about 5 minutes until the meat is browned and the onions translucent. Drain any remaining fat.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Use tongs and a paper towel to absorb the remaining fat! It’s easier and time-saving.
- Break the spaghetti noodles in half, and spread them on top of the ground meat and onions. Pour the water and marinara sauce on top of the noodles. Don’t stir!
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
It’s important not to stir the ingredients together! This prevents the sauce from burning at the bottom of the pressure cooker.
- Pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once pressure cooking is finished, do a quick release (release the pressure by pressing or turning the pressure level), venting the steam away from you.
- Stir and garnish with Parmesan cheese, dried Italian seasoning, or fresh basil before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Instant Pot spaghetti and meat sauce recipe with a slice of homemade French bread, steamed broccoli in Instant Pot, roasted green beans, or roasted parmesan asparagus for a complete meal.
This recipe pairs perfectly with classic Italian side dishes. Serve it with garlic bread or a warm loaf of crusty Italian bread to soak up the rich Bolognese sauce. A crisp Caesar salad or fresh Caprese salad adds a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta. If you’re making this meal for a dinner party, pair it with a glass of dry red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon for an authentic Italian experience. And don’t forget dessert—end your meal with tiramisu or a scoop of gelato for a sweet finish!
Want a creamier version? Stir in a splash of heavy cream just before serving to add richness to the sauce. And if you’re looking for a comforting winter meal, serve your Instant Pot Bolognese with a side of warm beef broth-based soup, like minestrone, to round out the flavors.
Love red sauce? Try our penne pasta pomodoro and Rotel chicken spaghetti recipe!
Recipe FAQs
No, the pasta cooks right in the Instant Pot with the other ingredients. How easy is that?!
If you want to leave out the meat, then you’ll need to replace it with a pound of mushrooms or a vegan ground meat substitute to create the bottom layer in the pressure cooker. This is what prevents the sauce from sticking and burning at the bottom of the pot.
No, you don’t. If you love leftover spaghetti bolognese like we do, then go ahead and double the recipe! The cooking instructions all remain the same. Don’t add time to the pressure cooking, otherwise your pasta noodles will be soft and mushy.
Yes! You can sauté the frozen meat directly in the Instant Pot, breaking it up as it thaws. However, for best flavors, it’s recommended to use fresh ground turkey or beef.
Store any extra sauce in a freezer container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the Instant Pot on sauté mode or on the stovetop until warmed through.
You’ll love these easy 30-minute meals…
- Baked Chicken Cutlets
- Grilled Fish Tacos (or Pan Seared)
- Easy 5 Ingredient Stovetop Chili
- Beefy Velveeta Cheese Soup
If you tried this spaghetti in the Instant Pot recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
One Pot Spaghetti in the Instant Pot
Equipment
- 1 Pressure cooker (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef or Italian sausage
- ½ cup diced onions
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta
- 1 cup water
- 3 cups marinara sauce
Optional
- ½ cup sliced button mushrooms
- ½ cup shredded carrots
Instructions
- Press the SAUTÉ button on the pressure cooker. When it’s ready (mine says HOT), add the ground beef or Italian sausage. Break up the meat and add the diced onions and mushrooms or carrots, if using. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the ground meat has browned and the onions are translucent. Drain fat, if needed.
- Spread the ground meat and onions (and veggies, if using) into a single layer on the bottom of the pot. Break the pasta in half and spread it over the meat. Top with 1 cup water and 3 cups marinara sauce. DO NOT STIR (this is important because the sauce can scorch on the bottom of the pot, creating a burn notification). Press CANCEL.
- Twist on the lid to seal, and turn or press the sealing lever to seal the pressure cooker lid. Set the pressure cooker to HIGH PRESSURE for 8 minutes. Once the pressure cooking is done (your pot should beep), do a QUICK RELEASE by pushing or turning the sealing lever. ).
- Carefully twist off the lid (keeping the steam away from you. Stir the pasta and meat sauce and garnish with parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, or fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Matthew says
This instantly became a family favorite! It’s a quick and easy meal and our kids love it!