4-Ingredient Instant Pot Spaghetti
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Only 4 ingredients make up this nutritious Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe that your family will love. You’ll have Pot Whole Wheat Spaghetti done in about 15 minutes and will only dirty up one pot! Now, that’s my kind of meal.
About Instant Pot Spaghetti
Prepare yourselves.
A world of recipes is about to open up once you learn how to cook pasta in the Instant Pot.
It’s easier than you think and you’ll be whipping up this Instant Pot Simple Spaghetti Sauce with Whole Wheat Pasta over and over again!
Why Whole Wheat Pasta?
Well, you don’t necessarily HAVE to use whole wheat pasta. You can use any type you have on hand. However, we prefer to use it when we can because it’s much healthier.
Whole wheat pasta is healthier than white pasta, because it’s packed with nutrients such as complex carbs, protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, and zinc. On the other hand, white pasta is made of refined carbs, meaning it has been stripped of many nutrients during its processing.
How Long Do I Cook Spaghetti in the Instant Pot?
Here is the key to perfectly cooked spaghetti in the Instant Pot: Cook at high pressure for half the pasta cooking time on the package, minus 1 minute.
So, if the directions say 9-11 minutes, you’ll cook it for about 4 minutes. I would recommend doing the least amount of time, so your pasta doesn’t get overcooked and mushy.
If you have an Instant Pot, you know you need liquid to help it come to pressure. For this recipe, the marinara isn’t quite enough for that to happen so you need to add two cups of water.
P.S. Did you know we published an Instant Pot cookbook called From Freezer to Cooker? During our two years of research and testing, we learned EXACTLY how long to cook meals in the Instant Pot both from fresh OR from frozen. Be sure to download and print off our Cheat Sheet here. It’s so helpful to have inside your cabinet.
What Goes Well With Spaghetti
I mean look at how easy this is….4 ingredients + 1 pot = a delicious, healthy meal! Here are some ideas on what to serve with it:
This sauce works to serve over any pasta, zoodles, spaghetti squash, or even quinoa. It’s super versatile like that! Here are a few ideas of side dishes to serve along with your main dish:
STRAWBERRY AVOCADO SALAD WITH HONEY BALSAMIC DRESSING
OVEN ROASTED BROCCOLI
TEXAS TOAST
Corn on the Cob Made in the Microwave
BOTTOM LINE
Whether you want a healthy, kid-friendly dinner or a freezer meal on hand for later, we think you’ll love the simplicity of this 4-Ingredient Whole Wheat Instant Pot Spaghetti!
Want a Meatier Spaghetti Sauce?
If you want to add some protein to your spaghetti, you simply must hop over to our Instant Pot Meaty Marinara recipe.
With only 6 main ingredients, this Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce couldn’t be easier or tastier! Serve over pasta, zoodles, or spaghetti squash for a delicious and healthy dinner. Freezing instructions included.
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
4-Ingredient Instant Pot Spaghetti
Only 4 ingredients make up this nutritious dinner recipe that your family will love. You’ll have this done in about 15 minutes and will only dirty up one pot!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (half package) of whole wheat spaghetti
- 2 1/2 cups marinara sauce (I used our Homemade Marinara)
- 2 cups water
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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Instructions
- Break the spaghetti in half and add to the pot. Top with the marinara sauce and water. Stir around very gently until the pasta is covered.
- Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for half the pasta cooking time on the package, minus 1 minute. (So, if the directions say 9-11 minutes, you’ll cook it for about 4 minutes. I would recommend doing the least amount of time, so your pasta doesn’t get overcooked and mushy.)
- Use a quick release of the pressure when cooking time is through. Be sure to cover the spout with a dish towel to minimize splatters. (I didn’t have any when I tested this, but you never know.)
- Serve warm and topped with shredded Parmesan cheese.
Want Freezer Meals for the Instant Pot?
We’ve got you covered. Hop over to this post highlighting 20+ Best of the Best Freezer Meals for the Instant Pot. It includes freezer meal instructions for EVERY recipe plus tons of pro tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years.
I made it with whole grain thin spaghetti used about 3/4 lb of pasta 1 lb of ground turkey and one jar of sauce with one jar of water. I have the ninja foodi xl and I put it on high pressure for 5 minutes. The pasta was cooked perfectly even though it clumped together it was still cooked Al dente. This was a good recipe to play with! I can’t wait to make more stuff!
★★★★★
Thanks for the tips and feedback, Elva! Glad you liked it!
If I want to double the recipe do I double the marinara sauce and water as well? What about the cooking time?
I haven’t tried doubling it, Lori, so I’m not sure. It seems to me that this is one Instant Pot recipe, though, where you would double the liquid. You don’t necessarily have to do that when doubling a cut of meat or something like that.
I don’t think you need to increase the cook time, so I’d start with what is written in the recipe. If that pasta isn’t al dente, however, then cook another 1 minute.
If I add frozen meatballs to this, should i increase my cook time?
I haven’t tested meatballs in this recipe, but if they are pre-cooked frozen meatballs, they would take 3-5 minutes in sauce by themselves. So, I think they should work in this recipe. Let us know if you test it and what your thoughts are!
This looks wonderful but I wish you had instant pot directions on how to make the marinara as well vs it having slow cooker directions and this having instant pot directions.
It’s a good idea. We’ll try to get a recipe for that eventually.
I use a stovetop pressure cooker. Would you have any idea how the amount of time would compare with an electric pressure cooker? I’m not sure about when an electric cooker cooks for 4 minutes; is that the entire time it is on, or is that the amount of time at pressure? (with a stove top cooker you count the time when it is at pressure, so the warming up time is not counted, if that makes sense.)
Hi Brenda. I’m so sorry, but I’ve never used a stovetop pressure cooker. To answer one of your questions, when we say “cook at high pressure for 4 minutes” that is NOT including the amount of time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes for this recipe to come to pressure. The 4 minutes begins when the valve seals. Not sure if that helps or not.
I am ahving difficulty finding a whole wheat pasta my family will eat. They don’t seem to like the texture.
I know, it’s hard to switch once they’re used to white pasta. Sorry! There are some brands that add in some whole grains and/or added protein but it still looks like white pasta.
First time I had trouble with pasta burning. Taste was good, which is why I gave 3 stars. Next time I will try putting in water and sauce first, then pasta on top without stirring it down to bottom.
★★★