Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs is one of my favorite busy weeknight dinners. Just add all the uncooked ingredients to the pot, press a button, and let the Instant pot do the work.
Instant Pot recipes are so convenient! Try Beef Gyros, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot Spaghetti, Instant Pot Short Ribs, or Instant Pot Meatloaf!
Every busy family needs this Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs recipe.
Every busy family needs this Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs recipe.This recipe has saved me more than once, and made me look like the most put together Mom in the world, when I'm actually just trying not to drop every ball I'm juggling. It doesn't get easier than adding uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, tomato sauce and spices to a pot, and voila, dinner is ready at the press of a button. It still has an elevated edge to it, with a homemade sauce, rather than jarred, and you could use from-scratch frozen cooked meatballs, too.
If you're new to the Instant Pot, here are all of my Instant Pot recipes.
How to make Instant Pot Pasta with Meatballs:
Layer Ingredients: Add frozen meatballs to Instant pot and add uncooked pasta on top. Add water, followed by crushed tomatoes, seasonings, and tomato sauce. Make sure the sauce is covering all of the noodles.
Cook: Cook on manual, high pressure, for half of the cook time it instructs on the box of pasta. Quick release to release pressure. Serve instant pot pasta with grated parmesan cheese and some breadsticks or garlic knots on the side.
Recipe Variations:
- Homemade Meatballs: prepare homemade meatball, but to cook, use the instant pot, on sauté setting, brown them lightly on all sides, in a little oil. You don't need to cook them all the way through. Continue with recipes steps as instructed, adding uncooked pasta, sauces, spices and water on top, and cooking at high pressure.
- Spicy: use crushed fire roasted tomatoes instead of the crushed tomatoes, and add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Veggies: Stir in fresh spinach at the end.
More Recipes with Meatballs:
- Swedish Meatballs
- Meatballs Arrabbiata
- BBQ Meatballs
- Meatball Subs
- Hawaiian Meatballs
- Mediterranean Meatball Bowl
- Baked Chicken Meatballs
- Green Curry Meatballs
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- One Pan Meatball Casserole
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Recipe
Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen cooked meatballs*
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 3 cups water
- 24 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 3 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves , chopped (or 2 tsp. dried)
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- salt and pepper
- freshly grated parmesan cheese , for topping
- fresh chopped parsley , for garnish
- crushed red pepper flakes , optional for garnish
Instructions
- DISCLAIMER: I developed and tested this recipe using my 6-QUART INSTANT POT DUO. If you’re using a larger IP or a newer brand you may need to add more liquid so that you don’t get a burn notice. (The new IP are much more sensitive). Refer to this article for more information on adapting recipes for your instant pot.
- Layer ingredients in Instant Pot: Spray the bottom of the instant pot with nonstick cooking spray. Add frozen meatballs, then dry pasta, spreading into an even layer. Pour water over pasta. Add crushed tomatoes, seasonings and tomato sauce and gently tomato sauce and seasonings. Smooth the sauce to completely cover the noodles.
- Cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 4-5 minutes (half the cook time listed on the box of pasta).
- Do a controlled quick release when timer beeps. Stir. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh grated parmesan on top, and extra chopped fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe February 2019. Updated August 2022 and October 2024.
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This turned out so good. Delicious and just like your picture. The pasta was cooked perfectly.
Could you half this recipe? We are a small family with kids that don’t like leftovers. I’m just not sure if it would work out with the smaller volume or not. (6qt IP still). Thanks
Yes, that should be fine!
My first Instant Pot recipe and it was a success. I used veggie meatballs and half of the amount of the ingredients. The result couldn’t be better.
can i use frozen raw meatballs
Yes.
I didn’t have meatballs, so I made this with a pound of browned ground beef (85/15%) and a pound of browned bulk Italian sausage instead. Otherwise followed the recipe. It was great and the penne turned out perfectly al dente.
Hi! Looking for a last minute dinner to throw together for tonight. Do you think I could just use a jar of premise tomato sauce (like Preggo) in place of the can tomatoes and spices?
Yes, you can! Replace the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce with jarred pasta. I would still add some spices, for flavor.
This was really good, all my kiddos gobbled it up! I’m looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow. I used a box of shells pasta and they came out perfectly. This will probably become a permanent rotation meal.
I was quite impressed how the penne turned out. Perfect texture. I didn’t have a can of tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. I ended up using a jar of Preggo Pasta Sauce. Still came out delicious.
What size jar did you use? I love Prego.
Made this for dinner last night & it was yummy. Made a few alterations, the dish was too watery for our taste, so I drained most of the liquid once pasta was cooked & tender (next time will reduce the water to 2 cups). I cut the half & half measurements to 2 table spoons. Once I stirred the half & half in, I sprinkled the dish with Romano & low fat mozzarella. Put the lid on the pot & simmered it for 5 min. So didn’t have to use the oven. This is a fantastic recipe & a keeper. Lauren THANK YOU for this wonderful recipe and your great blog.
Ferryal
Holy! This recipe turned out great
Thanks Lori, I’m so glad you liked it!
Can I ask what size instant pot you used? I am going to try this on my 8 quart and seeing if the water amount discussed above is enough