Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
This One-Pot Spaghetti with Turkey Meat Sauce is made with whole wheat pasta in the pressure cooker – hands down, the quickest and easiest way to get dinner on the table while making the whole family happy! Your solution to getting dinner on the table FAST on those busy weeknights and having everyone clean their plates!
This dish comes together in less than 15 minutes start to finish thanks to the Instant Pot (affil link), the meat sauce and pasta cook together at the same time all in one pot! All you Italians out there are shaking your head, I know! You’re supposed to boil pasta in a large pot of water, but guess what, I fed this to my Italian husband and he came back for seconds.
To make this on the stove, cook everything in a large pot with the same ingredients following the same method over med-low heat, covered about 17 minutes, or until tender, stirring half way.
How to Make Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Tips when making one-pot pasta:
- Since the pasta is cooked right in the sauce, you will need to add water to the pot along with the sauce.
- Make sure the liquid covers the pasta.
- If using spaghetti, break it into smaller pieces so it fits in the pot.
- Once the pasta is ready, eat right away for al dente or the pasta will continue to absorb the sauce.
Because this recipe calls for jarred sauce (you can of course use your own homemade marinara if you wish!) it’s crucial the sauce you use is of the highest caliber for the best outcome. I consider myself a sauce snob living in New York, where we have great Italian food. The first time I tried Delallo’s Pomodoro Sauce I was hesitant, because I was never a fan of jarred sauce. Out of desperation we tried it one night and I’ve been hooked every since. This sauce does not taste like it came out of a jar, I always keep a few stocked in my pantry for those night I need to whip up a quick meal, like my giant turkey meatball parmesan (you can buy it here). I’ve given my friends some jars so they can try and got them hooked as well. I only wish I could find it in my local supermarket, hopefully one day I will!
Instant Pot One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Beef can also be used in place or turkey, gluten-free pasta can be used in place of whole wheat. To make this on the stove, cook in a large pot with the same ingredients over med-low heat covered about 17 minutes, or until tender, stirring half way.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb 93% ground turkey
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 jar (25.25 ounces) Delallo Tomato Basil Pomodoro Sauce
- 2 cups water
- 8 ounces whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti, I used Delallo
- Grated parmesan cheese, optional for serving
Directions:
- Press saute on the Instant Pot. When hot add the turkey and salt and cook, breaking up about 3 minutes.
- Add the onions, and garlic and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the Pomodoro sauce, water and spaghetti (broken in half), making sure the liquid covers everything without stirring.
- Cover and cook on high pressure 9 minutes.
- Quick release so the pasta doesn’t continue cooking, and serve topped with grated cheese if desired!
Recipe created in partnership with Delallo Foods, a brand I love and use in my kitchen.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 5 servings, Serving Size: scant 1 1/2 cups
- Amount Per Serving:
- Freestyle Points: 10
- Points +: 10
- Calories: 390 calories
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: g
- Cholesterol: 64mg
- Sodium: 738mg
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 5.5g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 23.5g
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How did you measure 8 oz of uncooked pasta?
with a food scale
8 oz is half a box of pasta 🍝
Made this tonight and it was delicious! Used a jar of Rao’s and spaghetti I had on hand instead. This might just make me a fan of the IP! Only my 4th time using it. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks!
Hi! If I double this recipe should I adjust the cooking time? Thanks!
Did you double it? I am making it tonight and wanted to know the same thing.
I read that if you don’t change the size of items you don’t change the time. New to Instant Pot but have done a lot of reading. Think this is correct..
I doubled the recipe but not the time and it was fine….
Can I add veggies like mushrooms? When would I add that?
Sure, I would add them with the beef
I have made this at least once a week since getting an instant pot. So amazingly easy and quick, I will never cook spaghetti the normal way again. The cook time was perfect and I even used the cheaper jarred sauce when it was all I had on hand and added fresh basil and spices and it turned out great.
My pasta was absolute mush. What did I do wrong? I followed the recipe…used whole wheat pasta.
I made this tonight as the recipe stated, but as I’m in England, I used a different brand of sauce. I loved the ease of preparation,, and from this recipe I now have the bravery to try pasta with sauce in my Instant pot. It could have been the sauce I used, but we didn’t like the flavour. We are used to putting beef stock in our spaghetti, so without it we felt it needed more depth of flavour. We will try again with a different sauce. We love this site, and thank you for all the yummy ideas!
Hi I’m from the UK too and am on the verge of buying an instant pot. Would you recommend it?
Could you replace some or all of the water with beef stock? wate
I’m nervous to cook pasta in my instant pot because the first time I did, it spit and foamed out of the valve when I did a quick release. Any tips?
Put a towel over the valve to avoid a mess
I’m looking back over your posts with dishes I would like to try. I came across this tip and I’m smacking my head because… duh? why didn’t I ever try this? Instead, I’ve been playing beat the Instant Pot when I’ve accidentally left the valve the wrong way when I make rice. My poor kitchen! Cheers!
Hi Gina! I love all your recipes. I do not have an instant pot but my mother-in-law just bought me an 8 Quart Pressure Cooker for xmas. I know there’s a difference between the two but never worked with either of them. I do not have a “Saute” or “Brown” button on my pressure cooker, but am I still able to saute the turkey in the Pressure Cooker before I put the lid on? I am trying to see if this will work out for all of your “instant pot” recipes, as I feel bad asking to exchange the gift she got me. Thanks!
You can saute on the stove
I have a different brand of pressure cooker and just use any button to get it heating, then saute things in there.
Don’t exchange it, a pressure cooker and an Instant Pot are the same thing, just different buttons that anyone can figure out which button to use. It’s pretty simple. I have a $39.00 pressure cooker that I bought at Aldi I love it. Again different buttons but easy to transcribe.
Would veggie or regular spaghetti work?
This recipe was awesome!! It was my first instapot recipe made. I added too much water because 2 cups didn’t cover all the way (I was super nervous) and it was a little soupy but I just let it cook for a few minutes longer and it was perfect! I now need more healthy instapot recipes 🙂
awesome!
New to the IP does the valve stay closed and then quick release mean open the valve to release the steam?
yes that is correct
This is definitely a keeper! This was also my first try in my Instantpot. Turned out delicious!
Great!
I’m using chicken thighs – browned them first – is 9 min enough time?
Definitely enough time if they are boneless.
I made this last night for dinner. I used ground beef after I discovered I had used up all of my ground turkey. I also added one jar of mushrooms. I have a Power Pressure Cooker, so after browning the meat, adding the onions and garlic, the sauce and spaghetti, I set the timer for 15 minutes. The meal turned out fantastic! The spaghetti was fully cooked and infused with flavor and not the least bit soggy or mushy. My husband raved about it. This is my second time using an instant pot type cooker, and the second time making one of your recipes. which also turned out fantastic. I added notes to my printed recipe regarding the cooking time so I will remember for next time. I will definitely make this again.
Awesome
Kathy- I’m new to all this pressure cooking, but I have both a 6qt instant pot and a now an 8 at power pressure cooker xl. It seems that the power pressure cooker only does low pressure? Do you find this to be true and is that why you increased the cook time to 15 min? Thanks for any advice.
Best spaghetti ever! Taste just like you get at a restaurant. This is a keeper…I will make over and over for my family. Just got my instant pot and this is the second recipe I have made. I love this gadget! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes.
Do you have to brown the meat beforehand?
Yes. Brown in saute mode in the instant pot then drain the meat fat and stop the IP. Then proceed with instructions.
I use this recipe minus about 1/4-1/2 cup water. I also dont add onion but do add onion powder to the meat. We use venison instead of Turkey which is super lean as well. I have foudn that Prego farmers market tomato and basil sauce works great for this to.
Could I use regular pasta? Would the cook time change? The boyfriend won’t eat whole wheat pasta…
Yes I used regular pasta (krogers simple truth) and it was AMAZING! The husband said it was the best “homemade” spaghetti he’d ever had!
Hi Gina, this is my first time using an instant pot, cooking and also making one of your recipes. I’m not sure why but the pressure cooker beeped before the 9 mins and when I released the pasta was uncooked and also stuck together. I wonder what went wrong. Over all, I did taste it and it’s delicious. I saved a couple more of your recipes to try as well. I’m living on my own and trying to practice cooking. I am grateful to have came across SkinnyTaste because your recipes are simple and not time consuming at all. It’s perfect for the healthy me I’m trying to become. Anyways, thank you for reading!
With love,
Lisney
Sounds like it never came to pressure.
it beeps when it comes to pressure and is the countdown begins.
Sounds like the IP had just reached pressure. It takes a few minutes for the pressure to build but once it reaches, it beeps and that’s when the cook time begins and starts counting down. Once cook time is done it’ll beep again and will start slowly releasing pressure, this is the natural pressure release.For this recipe it calls for a quick release so, with a towel over the valve, turn the valve all the way to release quickly. Once the metal pin drops, you’re done! Good luck, Lisney! I’m trying this recipe tonight; can’t wait.
This came out great!! My husband said it was the best meat sauce with spaghetti he has ever had. The texture was perfect!!! Awesome thanks!!!
For all the people asking about using regular spaghetti instead of wheat spaghetti, here was my experience! I used the Kroger brand reduced calorie thin spaghetti, which has a cook time of 9-11 minutes for al dente. I followed the recipe but on step 4 I cooked it on manual, high pressure for 5 minutes instead of 9. The texture was perfectly fine! However, the sauce was a bit soupy, which I personally didn’t mind. The taste was pretty good although slightly reminded me of spaghetti O’s and using the reduced cal pasta brought down the calories per serving a bit. This was good and I will definitely make it again and maybe try beef (the turkey was pretty good but my bf doesn’t like it, so next time will try extra lean ground beef instead so he can have some too).
Can you provide the Smart Points Freestyle using 99% fat free ground Turkey? Thank you!
I put it the recipe builder and substituted Braille protein plus spaghetti and it calculated 7 points per serving.
I just put this in the recipe builder with 99% fat free ground turkey and Trader Giotto’s Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce and got 4 points.
My son has a wheat allergy, so when we do pasta, I use the brown rice style noodles.
Would rice pasta cook the same time as the wheat based version?
Traci I’ve found brown rice pasta needs about 2 minutes less cooking time than wheat pasta.
Remember: you can always cook it more, but you can’t UNcook it lol.
Is it 9 min once you hit start or do you wait to count after it gets up to pressure and it’s own timer starts?
Don’t know what I did wrong but the insta pot kicked off with a burn error before ever reaching pressure
Upon opening the spaghetti was stuck to bottom of pan Is this a common problem when trying to use pasta? I used regular pasta not whole wheat.
I added a bit of the sauce to the turkey/onion/garlic mixture before putting the pasta on top. I also sauteed some bellpepper with the onions and garlic so that likely gave the bottom “layer” some additional moisture. My turkey was really lean so concerned about the burn error also
I got the burn error as well. I also used regular pasta… i wonder if that’s what caused it?
Seriously phenomenal! I did one lb of lean ground beef, sliced baby bella mushrooms, the whole box of pasta (krogers simple truth), 2 jars of my favorite all natural jarred sauce, and 2 cups of water. Could not have turned out any better! My husband said it was the best “homemade” spaghetti he’d ever had. #spaghettiwin
🙂
This was good but it was a bit too much water in the instant pot. I also used diced red bell pepper and mushrooms in mine. Fantastic results other than being a little watery – maybe I did something wrong.
I figured out what I did wrong!! This was my first time using the instant pot so I thought the lid had to be on it in sauté mode…WRONG! I reduced it last night in a pan and it was perfect! Next time will be PERFECTION!
do you leave it on saute the whole time?
No you switch it to Manual high pressure
Made this last night. I usually do NOT like whole wheat pasta – it’s a texture thing. HOWEVER, this was AWESOME! It was so easy and so very delicious!
great!
Can you use brown rice pasta? It’s all I have in the pantry. I’m afraid it will come out mushy. Maybe it needs a different amount of water and time? Any idea??
The flavor of the meat sauce was nice, but everyone in my family said this is tomato soup with meat and noodles. It was not as thick as Gina’s picture. We do not like loose watery sauce. That is what this recipe makes. Sorry, but I won’t be making this recipe again.
Add a tablespoon of tomato paste at the end. That will thicken it up.
I found that you really only need enough water just to cover the spaghetti. For me, that’s less than the recipe calls for. I halve the recipe for my IP mini pand use about 3/4 cup rather than a whole cup. I also use just a little more sauce. Of course, with the IP the amount of liquid is always crucial and it’s a delicate balance.
I used brown rice pasta and it was a fail! Pasta all stuck together… so I boiled new pasta over the stove. ???? Sauce was delicious though! Is it because I used brown rice pasta?
I used brown rice pasta and it was a fail! Pasta all stuck together… so I boiled new pasta over the stove. ???? Sauce was delicious though! Is it because I used brown rice pasta?
Really easy and delicious. I added canned portobello mushrooms.
Simply excellent, Gina! Been a fan for years…never have you steered us wrong. Here’s to more tasty recipes and years of success to come!
What type of onion do you recommend?
Yellow
I just got my instant pot and would like to try this recipe! Does anyone know if I can cook the ground turkey directly from frozen, or is it necessary that I thaw it first? (I understand this would add to the cook time)
Thanks!
You’d need to thaw it in order to brown it, I’d think.
Ive done this once with ground beef and once with ground sausage that I had on hand. It was my first attempt with the instant pot and needless to say I don’t cook it any other way anymore. My husband raves about this for days after and asks for it at least once a week!
If you make this on the stove first would you cook the pasta separate? I don’t know how it would go with water in the sauce.
Thanks
I’m a HUGE Skinnytaste fan, but I just opened my Instant appt and it looks like red water with noodles. Followed recipe exactly. I have it baking in oven to try and thicken it up.
I’m going to make this tomorrow! I want to double the recipe. if I double the sauce, should I still double the water? 4 cups of water seems like too much. Any suggestions?
Love this recipe! One of the first I made in my instant pot. That Delallo sauce is the bomb.
This did not have any flavor! I wanted to love this and it just fell short.
This was awful! Half my noodles didn’t cook and instead all stuck together, and it was as bland as dry dread. Will definitely not be making this again. Even my garbage can kid wouldn’t eat it.
Just tried making this in my brand new instapot and when I added the pasta and it started cooking the insta pot kept beeping 5 times and saying ‘burn’. ????. I had to take it and finish it on the stove.
Not sure why? I never have this issue
Yummylicious, my entire family enjoyed it!!!!
Made this a couple of weeks ago- delish! Wondering if it will work if I halve the recipe, it makes a lot for two people :)Thanks!
Yes! I only have a duo mini (3 qt) so I have to halve. It works out perfectly!
I have a Instant Pot LUX60 V3 6 Qt 6-in-1 and am an instant pot newbie.
After I sauted it. I put the instant pot on manual high and cooked for 9 mins. After releasing the steam manually, the pasta was not cooked thru. Help please! thank you!
I just notice your comment. I did put mine on manual and it seemed ok. Not sure what happened in your pot. I only posted my comment to see if what I did was correct.
Thanks Linn. Me either. Other pasta recipes on other sites say to put manual low. Maybe I’ll try that next time.
Had the same issue. Thinking it took 9 minutes just to preheat. I was nervous 9 minutes was up but my pasta was still pretty hard.
You press 9 minutes on the pressure cooker. Sounds like the valve was not in the right position.
I’m on WW is the serving size 1 1/2cups for 10pts?
yes
Love this recipe!! Only 1 question: do you put it on “manual” after saute? That’s what I did because the recipe didn’t specify. Seems to have turned out ok. Thanks!
We really enjoyed this! Anyone have a suggestion for reheating the leftovers? I don’t like to microwave anything with meat in it (it’s a taste thing for me), but I don’t want to overcook the pasta either.
” breaking up about 3 minutes” Excuse me for being a little slow, have only used my IP twice so far. What does it mean, breaking up about 3 minutes?
Do you have a stove top version of this recipe?
https://www.skinnytaste.com/one-pot-spaghetti-and-meat-sauce-stove-top-recipe/
This is amazing. I have made it with whole wheat pasta and regular pasta and both times it’s been fantastic. It’s actually the only way my son will eat whole wheat pasta!
Do you have to change the cooking time for regular pasta?
Best spaghetti ever!!! I have never really liked spaghetti- just because it was so BLAH. I would eat it but would never choose to cook it myself……UNTIL this recipe in my instant pot! So much flavor! I love that the noodles are cooked into the sauce so they actually taste like something. We make this almost weekly at our house now. Everyone loves it! Sometimes the noodles clump together but are still cooked through. I have found that there is not a whole lot you can do, just spread the noodles out the best you can and after cooking them “rake” the clumps of noodles from end to end and they break apart pretty well.
Just made this tonight, on the stovetop because I don’t have an instant pot. Subbed in Rao’s sauce because that’s what was in the pantry. Everything else was the same. Super easy and family approved.
When you say cook for 9 minutes after adding the pasta, is that 9 minutes once it’s preheated? 9 minutes passed with ON still displayed, never counting down.
#ThirdIPMealEver #StillANewbie
You press 9 minutes on the pressure cooker. Sounds like the valve was not in the right position.
Allison, If it still said, “on” then the IP wasn’t pressurized. It will beep when it hits pressure, then the timer will change from “on” to your 9 minute countdown. 🙂
Hi Gina,
When making this recipe with gluten free pasta, should I cook it for less time. GF pasta tends to get mushy if overcooked and I’m wondering if I should shorten the cook time by a couple of minutes? Thank you and I can’t wait to try this!
I have not tested it with GF but I think it would be the same
can this be adapted to cook in a slow cooker instead?
I use different shaped pasta, like penne or bow ties. It doesn’t clump as much. Easier to stir so it doesn’t clump as easily as the long thin strands. I started out cooking this in my Ninja cooker and add italian seasoning, red pepper flakes. I throw in whatever veggies I have- spinach is great to stir in at the end and let it wilt. The IP makes it even quicker! Love the pasta cooked with the sauce instead of just boiled. Thanks for the recipe!
Really great recipe! It was my very first time making spaghetti on my own and I definitely plan to make more of it now! This was a delirious recipe and VERY EASY and beginner friendly! I used a instant-pot for the first time and it all came out great. I was able to meal-prep my lunches for the entire week with this recipe!Thank you Gina!
I bought an 8 qt IP. I used Dellalo pasta and sauce as stated. The only difference is that I wanted 16 Oz. Of pasta, so I doubled everything except the turkey. While coming up to temp, the word “burn” came up. Eventually, it came to temp and counted down. When it was done, some of the pasta was burnt on the bottom of the pot. Also, there was still a lot of liquid in the pot. The picture made it seem like the pasta should have absorbed most of the liquid.
I have not made this double, I am not sure if that is the issue? My pasta came out perfect and all the water absorbed perfectly.
I got my IP for Christmas and after about a month of intimidation, I finally jumped in with this recipe. Since then I’ve made this about once a week. It’s great freshly made and as leftovers. I halve the recipe for my 3-at duo mini and it works perfectly. Delallo sauce is not available here so I find a comparable quality sauce. Yes, it costs more than Ragu or Prego, but it’s worth it since the sauce IS the flavoring. It basically infuses the pasta. Also, season your meat when you sauté- don’t be afraid of salt or at least some pepper, garlic or onion powder.
It turned out wonderful. Great meal with little preparation!
Gina, I love all your recipes. will this work with rotini noodle (whole wheat) instead of spaghetti? Thank you!
Worked well, I would tweak the recipe next time with my own sauce. Spaghettini noodles stuck together a little. Overall a success. I increased the amount of noodles and beef, I also added stewed tomatoes. Didn’t increase the time and it still worked out.
Hi Gina! You mentioned to eat it right away for al dente, otherwise the pasta continue to absorb the sauce. I was thinking about making a pot of this ahead of time for lunches for the week. Any suggestions? (I’ll be cooking it on the stove, not the IP).
It really depends on how you like your pasta. I personally like it al dente, so I eat it the same day (right after) I cook it.
Made this last night. So ridiculously easy and delicious! Thanks, Gina!
Did this stove top using low sodium Ragu and chicken italian sausage. Delicious and what a brilliant idea to “one pot” it. So creamy. An idea-Pillsbury does this too but instead of water uses chicken broth-might be worth trying.
My family loved it and it turned out PERFECT and was so easy with minimal kitchen mess or clean up.
Made this tonight – my first attempt at pasta in the Instant Pot. I used a different sauce, as that’s what I had on hand, and threw in a bunch of fresh spinach after the pressure cooking. It turned out perfectly!
It came out perfectly cooked! Great recipe!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was SO GOOD! My husband who is really picky about whole wheat noodles didn’t even notice these were whole wheat! It was THAT good! The only problem I ran into was that my noodles weren’t done at 9 minutes, so I put my pot on saute and cooked it for another minute with the lid on. Came out perfect! Thanks for a keeper recipe!
I was confused by cooking instruction #3, “. . . making sure the liquid covers everything without stirring”. That didn’t make sense to me, but still, I refrained from stirring. My pasta came out in solid clumps on top of the burned sauce.
I just got the instapot. I am trying tbis recioe, but have 16 oz of pasta. Do I double the other ingredients too, or is it okay to have more pasta?
How many sp is there in the sauce please as I’m in the UK too, thanks