This easy dinner idea, our Recipe for Instant Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef, is a game-changer for busy weeknights. By utilizing the dual functionality of the Instant Pot’s sauté function and pressure cooking capabilities, you can easily whip up a flavorful and comforting dish that will be a guaranteed family favorite.
It’s the kind of recipe that deserves a permanent spot in your back pocket, I promise!
The best thing about this Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe is that you won’t need to use multiple pots and pans. From browning the meat to cooking the pasta, every step can be completed using only the Instant Pot.
This saves you cooking time and also minimizes the cleanup process, making it an ideal choice for those hectic evenings when you just want a satisfying meal using simple, basic ingredients.
We LOVE the Instant Pot. It’s not overstating things to say the Instant Pot has revolutionized the way we cook by saving us time and effort without sacrificing taste.From incubating homemade yogurt to cooking a full meatloaf dinner in a fraction of the time, it’s our go-to kitchen companion.
In case you still need convincing, here are several reason for our undying love of this must-have kitchen appliance:
★ Speed and Efficiency ★
Instant Pot is aptly named because it significantly reduces cooking time. It can cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods. This is a game-changer for busy individuals and families who want homemade meals but don’t have hours to spare.
★ One-Pot Wonder ★
The Instant Pot’s versatility allows you to sauté, pressure cook, slow cook, steam, and more—all in one appliance. This means fewer pots and pans to wash, streamlining your cooking process and cleanup.
★ Multifunctionality ★
The Instant Pot can replace multiple kitchen appliances, including a rice cooker, slow cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, and pressure cooker. This not only saves space but also reduces the number of gadgets cluttering your kitchen.
★ Set-and-Forget Convenience ★
Many Instant Pot recipes involve minimal hands-on time. After you’ve prepared the ingredients and set the cooking program, you can walk away, tend to other tasks, or simply relax while your meal cooks. The Instant Pot’s automated cooking process ensures consistent results.
★ Versatile Cooking Options ★
Instant Pots cater to various dietary needs and cooking preferences. You can make everything from stews and soups to risottos, pasta dishes, and even desserts. There are also Instant Pot-specific cookbooks and online communities with a wealth of recipes to explore.
★ Meal Prep Made Easy ★
The Instant Pot is a meal prep champion. You can batch-cook grains, proteins, and vegetables in advance, saving you time during the week and helping you stick to a healthy eating plan.
★ Safety Features ★
Instant Pots come equipped with multiple safety features, such as lid locking, pressure monitoring, and temperature control. These mechanisms make it safer to use compared to traditional stovetop pressure cookers.
★ Consistency ★
With precise temperature and pressure control, the Instant Pot consistently delivers great results. Whether you’re cooking rice, beans, or a roast, you can count on your dishes turning out well.
Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent with a hectic schedule, or someone who simply loves the ease of cooking, the Instant Pot has become an indispensable tool in home kitchens (in our humble opinion)!
Not many years ago, Instant Pot was THE buzz word in home kitchens across the country. But now it’s 2023, and there are several big name brands who have put their hat in the ring when it comes to multi-functional and sleek pressure cooking appliances for the home chef. In fact, it’s downright overwhelming to make a choice!
If you can relate, you’re in the right place. Before moving on to the recipe, let’s take a moment to compare the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker, and Crock-Pot Multi-Use Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker. They’re all available on Amazon Prime and widely available in big box stores everywhere, so all you have to do is read through the following comparison overview of the three to figure out which one is right for you.
Cooking Functions:
- Instant Pot: Instant Pot offers multiple functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, sautéing (this is one of my favorite things), steaming, and yogurt making. Some models even have additional features like air frying and sous-vide cooking.
- Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker: The Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker combines pressure cooking with air frying, making it a versatile appliance for crisping and dehydrating in addition to the typical pressure cooking functions.
- Crock-Pot Multi-Use Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker: This appliance offers pressure cooking and slow cooking functions, but it may not have the extensive range of features found in Instant Pots or the crisping capability of Ninja Foodi.
Size and Capacity:
- Instant Pot: Instant Pots come in various sizes, ranging from 3 to 10 quarts, allowing you to choose the capacity that suits your needs.
- Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker: Ninja Foodi models also come in different sizes, but many of them offer larger capacities compared to some Instant Pot models.
- Crock-Pot Multi-Use Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker: These generally come in sizes similar to Instant Pots, but the capacity may vary by model.
Versatility:
- Instant Pot: Known for its versatility, the Instant Pot can handle a wide range of cooking tasks and has a vast library of recipes available online.
- Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker: It excels in versatility due to its air frying and crisping capabilities, which allow you to brown and crisp foods after pressure cooking.
- Crock-Pot Multi-Use Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker: While versatile, it may not offer the same breadth of features as the Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi.
Price Range:
- Instant Pot: Typically, Instant Pots are competitively priced, with options for various budgets depending on the model and size.
- Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker: Ninja Foodi models tend to be priced higher than standard Instant Pots due to their added functions, especially the air frying feature.
- Crock-Pot Multi-Use Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker: Generally, these fall in a similar price range to Instant Pots.
Brand Reputation:
- Instant Pot: Instant Pot has a strong reputation for quality and reliability, backed by a large and loyal user base.
- Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker: Ninja is a well-known brand for kitchen appliances, and their Foodi series has gained popularity for its innovative features.
- Crock-Pot Multi-Use Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker: Crock-Pot is synonymous with slow cookers and has a long history in the industry, but their multi-use pressure cookers are newer to the market.
Crock-Pot Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
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Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker
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Instant Pot
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In a Nutshell
✓ If you prioritize versatility and have a budget for it, the Ninja Foodi may be a great choice.
✓ Do you need a reliable, all-in-one appliance with a wide range of recipes available? The Instant Pot is a popular and trusted option.
✓ The Crock-Pot multi-use pressure cooker is suitable for those who want a more straightforward approach to pressure cooking and slow cooking without the added features (think old school– in a good way).
Make sure to break the noodles apart and layer them in a crisscross pattern in the Instant Pot to prevent clumping. A drizzle of olive oil before cooking is also helpful.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave. If you prefer to reheat on the stove, you may want to add a little extra pasta sauce or broth. The extra liquid will help prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
Instant Pot Spaghetti (Starting with Frozen Meat!)
Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
This instant pot spaghetti comes together quickly in one pot, from browning FROZEN ground meat to boiling the noodles. A great weeknight dinner recipe to keep in your back pocket!
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs. ground meat (I used 2.5 lbs ground turkey), frozen
- 5 cups water or broth, divided
- 16 ounces thin spaghetti
- 2 jars spaghetti sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Place the steam rack insert inside the IP. Place the meat on top of the steam rack, pour 1 cup of your liquid over it, and use the manual setting to cook for 25 minutes (if using fresh meat, you could cook for 12-15 minutes). Let steam release.
- Carefully remove the steam rack, with the meat on it, and set aside. Drain the liquid inside of the IP. Replace the meat and use a spoon or spatula to break it up. If the meat didn’t brown all the way through, simply change the setting to sautee and finish browning the meat.
- Add the remaining liquid (water or broth), brown sugar, and tomato sauce. Stir well before adding the noodles. Make sure the noodles are covered by the liquid.
- Replace the lid and use the manual setting to cook for 10 minutes. Let steam release before removing the lid and stirring the spaghetti. You can serve it immediately or keep it on the ‘warm’ setting until ready to eat.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1064Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 304mgSodium: 505mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 96g
