Instant Pot Meatballs: Comforting, saucy, and perfect every time! This easy dinner is ready with minimal fuss and only requires 10 minutes of active cooking time!

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Article Summary:

In today's post we will be making Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs! These meatballs are savory, hearty, and surprisingly simple to make. Read on to learn how to make the meatballs, common FAQs, and more!

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If you've never made meatballs in the Instant Pot, get ready for your life to change! Not only are these meatballs super easy to make (only a few easy steps and 10 minutes of active cooking time!), but they are saucy, hearty, and so satisfying.

While the meatballs cook in the Instant Pot, boil up the spaghetti or your favorite kind of pasta. The result: spaghetti and meatballs in the Instant Pot like you'll never forget!

Below, I share notes for how to use either ground turkey or beef, how to avoid the Instant Pot burn notice (hint: don't skip the water!), and freezing and reheating directions. But overall, this is a very straightforward and simple dinner recipe the family will love!

Make it for a quick dinner but it's also special enough to treat your family to for Sunday dinner. Who said simmering meatballs ever had to be a chore?!

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This pressure cooker meatballs recipe is...

• Saucy: I don't know about you, but scooping up extra sauce with garlic bread or rolls is one of my favorite parts of eating spaghetti and meatballs. This sauce absorbs the flavor of the meatballs as they cook, making it dimensional and delicious.
• Savory & comforting: is there any food that is more comfort food-esque than spaghetti and meatballs?! Now, thanks to the Instant Pot, you can enjoy these flavors and the comforting experience without having to slave all afternoon in the kitchen.
• Quick & simple: If you have 10 minutes of time to work in the kitchen, you can make these meatballs! Just make the meatballs, nestled them in pre-made bottled sauce, and the Instant Pot does the rest of the work for you!
• Low hassle & easy clean-up: one of the main reasons I don't usually make homemade meatballs is because simmering them on the stove top almost always creates a mess! The Instant Pot lid, however, contains the sauces so there's not splattering or unnecessary mess when making this recipe.

Ingredients:

• Ground meat - beef or turkey. 85-93% lean meat is best, as extra fatty ground meat can make the sauce too oily.
• Panko bread crumbs - also known as Japanese bread crumbs, these breadcrumbs are light and fluffy, helping to bind the meatballs without making them heavy or dense.
• Grated parmesan cheese - fresh cheese is best if you have it.
• Onion - as finely diced as possible. Grating the onion also works.
• Tomato paste - adds a concentrated but subtle tomato flavor to the meatballs.
• Large egg - there is no need to whisk the egg before stirring into the meatballs.
• Worcestershire sauce - adds an extra savory dimension to the meatballs
• Seasonings - dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.

How to cook meatballs in the Instant Pot...

For the complete recipe instructions and measurement, see the recipe card on the bottom of this post.

1. Add the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, salt, Italian seasoning, minced onion, tomato paste, large egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese to a mixing bowl.
2. Mix the meatball ingredients: stir together the turkey and seasonings until combined.
3. Scoop the meatballs by 2 -3 tablespoons and roll into balls. They should be about the size of a ping pong ball.
4. Drizzle the olive oil into the bottom of the pressure cooker bowl. Add the tomato pasta sauce and water. Gently stir until combined.
5. Place the meatballs on top of the pasta sauce. Gently turn the meatballs to cover in the sauce, if desired, being very careful to not let the meatballs touch the bottom of the Instant Pot.
6. Lock in the pressure cooker lid and pressure cook the meatballs for 8 minute. Natural-release the pressure for 5 minutes then quick release (by pressing down the "vent" button) until the rest of the pressure is released.
7. Serve the meatballs over hot pasta with parmesan cheese to serve. Enjoy!

Recipe pro-tips:

• Preventing the burn notice. Drizzling the olive oil in the Instant Pot bowl and stirring water in with the sauce will help prevent the burn notice from displaying. Also, gently place the meatballs in the sauce, being careful to not place them in direct contact with the bottom of the pan. I like to just nestle them in the sauce.
• Doubling the recipe. This recipe can easily be doubled. Just multiply the ingredients and follow the directions as listed, gently nestling the meatballs in the pasta sauce without packing them along the bottom of the pot. Pressure cook as directed (the pressure cooker will naturally adjust the pressurizing time for the extra volume).
• Using other pressure cookers. You can also use other electric pressure cookers to make this recipe. I like to make this recipe in my Ninja Foodi Tendercrisp as well.

Recipe FAQs:

Serving suggestions:

Serve these meatballs over your favorite pasta (spaghetti, linguine, penne, and more) with grated parmesan cheese to serve. For some delicious sides to round out the meal, I recommend serving Italian chopped salad and/or fresh garlic bread. Buon appetito!

Storage directions:

Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. They also can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months.

Defrost frozen meatballs and sauce in the refrigerator for 24-36 hours, or until thawed through.

Reheat meatballs in the microwave on 60-70% heat for 1-2 minutes intervals, stirring between intervals, or until heated through. If starting with frozen meatballs, defrost the meatballs entirely before reheating.

The meatballs can also be heated on the stovetop over low heat, stirring periodically, or until heated through. Add extra ¼-1/2 cup water if needed to thin the sauce as it reheats.

Tools needed to make this recipe:

• Cutting board
• Chef knife
• Mixing bowl
• Silicone spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Instant Pot (or other pressure cooker)
• Stock pot or Dutch oven

More Instant Pot & Italian recipes:

• Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce
• Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
• Instant Pot Garlic Herb Baby Potatoes
• Pesto Gnocchi
• No Boil Pasta Bake with Turkey
• Turkey Bolognese Sauce
• Healthy Turkey Meatballs & Sauce
• Chicken Bolognese Sauce
• Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Peas
• Italian Sausage Pasta Bake
• Sausage Risotto

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