Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce

Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce is a quick and easy recipe for frozen meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce without pasta. Use for subs or as an appetizer!

This super easy Instant Pot recipe is perfect when you want a “dump and start” dinner without any prep work. It’s also easy on the budget and very kid friendly!

I love making baked meatballs from scratch. But, in a pinch, you can’t go wrong with frozen meatballs.

If you want an easy one pot dinner, try Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs or Sweet and Sour Meatballs over jasmine rice. For appetizers, check out Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs and Cranberry Orange Meatballs — perfect for the Holiday season!

How to Cook Frozen Meatballs and Sauce in the Pressure Cooker

I used my 6 quart Instant Pot in this recipe, but you can use an 8 quart or larger. You’ll just need to add more water.

Add a little olive oil to the bottom of the inner liner. It’s not totally necessary, but it does help prevent the sauce from sticking.

Then, pour the water into the pot. Next, add your meatballs.

Pour the spaghetti sauce over the meatballs, but don’t stir. I used our favorite jarred sauce, but you can use homemade spaghetti sauce if you have it!

You can also throw in some seasoning for extra flavor. We added garlic powder, Italian seasoning and some red pepper flakes.

How Long to Cook Meatballs in Sauce

It only takes 5 minutes to cook meatballs in the Instant Pot! Note, that these are frozen precooked meatballs. You can use fresh homemade meatballs for the same time as long as they have been browned first.

The pot does take longer to reach pressure when you’re cooking frozen food. So, even though the cook time is only 5 minutes, it may take 15 minutes to come to pressure.

We love making meatball subs! Just lightly toast some rolls, add mozzarella or provolone cheese and the meatballs, and broil until the cheese melts.

So good! It’s perfect for game day or an easy dinner. Of course, you can just enjoy the meatballs and sauce on their own, as well!

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Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce Recipe

Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce

Dee

Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce is a quick and easy recipe for frozen meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce without pasta. Use for subs or as an appetizer!

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

pressure time 15 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Course Appetizer, Main

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Calories 276 kcal

Equipment

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 36 frozen meatballs precooked
• 1/2 cup water
• 28 ounces spaghetti sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder optional
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning optional
• pinch red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

 

• Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot liner
• Pour in the water, and add the meatballs
  
• Add the spaghetti sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and pepper flakes (if using) Do NOT Stir
  
• Place the lid on the Instant Pot, make sure seal is in venting position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 5 minutes
• Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then will cook for 5 minutes
• When pot beeps, turn vent to release pressure. When pin drops, carefully remove lid, and stir meatballs. Serve immediately or leave on KEEP WARM until ready to eat

Notes

Recipe was made in a 6 quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. For an 8 quart or larger, use 1 cup water.

You can use 1/4 cup water for thicker sauce. Frozen meatballs release liquid as they cook.

You can use fresh meatballs, but be sure to brown and partially cook them first, or you may have to cook for more than 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 16gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 742mgPotassium: 685mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 573IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg

Keyword instant pot meatballs and sauce, pressure cooker meatballs

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For reference, I use either Kirkland brand or Cooked Perfect frozen meatballs and Rao’s or Barilla sauce.

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