The Easiest Homemade Spaghetti Recipe That Everyone Will Love

Homemade spaghetti redefines ordinary ingredients into a soul-warming culinary experience that transcends basic meal preparation.

Robust pasta intertwines with rich, complex flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable depth.

Traditional Italian techniques merge seamlessly with modern cooking approaches, creating a dish that feels simultaneously nostalgic and innovative.

Home cooks can craft this remarkable meal with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Carefully selected seasonings elevate each strand of pasta, infusing every bite with authentic Mediterranean character.

Hearty and comforting, this classic recipe promises to become a treasured family favorite that sparks conversation and creates lasting memories.

Essentials You’ll Need for Homemade Spaghetti

Main Ingredients:

• Ground Beef: Rich protein source that provides hearty flavor and substance to the dish, best when freshly ground with moderate fat content.
• Spaghetti Noodles: Classic pasta shape that absorbs sauce perfectly, choose traditional wheat or whole grain varieties for different nutritional profiles.

• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing and adding subtle Mediterranean flavor, choose extra virgin for best quality.
• Water: Primary cooking liquid that helps create steam and cook pasta evenly.
• Spaghetti Sauce: Premade sauce that adds depth and traditional tomato base, select a high-quality brand with balanced seasoning.
• Diced Tomatoes: Fresh tomato component that provides texture and additional moisture, canned varieties work well.

• Onion: Aromatic base that builds foundational flavor, fresh yellow or white onions recommended.
• Garlic: Intense flavor booster that complements beef and tomato components, fresh minced garlic preferred.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that adds complex Mediterranean taste profile.
• Garlic Powder: Convenient dried seasoning for extra garlic essence.
• Salt: Essential mineral for enhancing overall dish flavor.
• Black Pepper: Subtle spice that adds warmth and depth to the meat mixture.

How to Make a Batch of Spaghetti at Home

Step 1: Prepare Instant Pot

Turn on the Instant Pot and select sauté mode, allowing it to heat up for a few minutes.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Beef

• Add olive oil
• Sauté diced onions for 2-3 minutes until soft
• Add ground beef, breaking it apart while cooking
• Brown the beef for 5-7 minutes

• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Minced garlic

Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to develop flavors.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pot

Remove cooked beef and pour of water into the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

Step 4: Layer Noodles and Sauce

• Break spaghetti noodles in half
• Arrange noodles crisscrossed inside the pot
• Drizzle spaghetti sauce over noodles
• Optional: Add 1 can diced tomatoes
• Pour water around and over the noodles

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Seal the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is closed, and pressure cook for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Release Pressure

Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Stir all ingredients thoroughly and serve hot. Pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad or garlic toast.

Insider Tips for Spaghetti Greatness

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce excess grease and ensure a cleaner, more flavorful sauce without compromising meat texture.
• Seasoning Secret: Toast Italian seasoning and garlic powder briefly before adding to the meat to unlock deeper, more complex flavor profiles and enhance overall taste.
• Noodle Placement Trick: Cross spaghetti noodles in a crisscross pattern to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking, which helps achieve perfect pasta consistency throughout the dish.
• Liquid Balance Technique: Always measure water precisely to prevent watery sauce; the right liquid-to-pasta ratio guarantees a rich, clingy sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti.
• Quick Release Wisdom: Perform a controlled quick release by using a long utensil or wearing an oven mitt to protect your hand from steam when releasing pressure, ensuring safe and smooth meal preparation.

Storing Leftover Spaghetti the Smart Way

• Refrigerate cooked spaghetti in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store meals separately from sauce to prevent soggy noodles. Consume refrigerated spaghetti within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Freezing Method: Transfer cooled spaghetti to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining best quality and flavor.
• Reheating Technique: Microwave individual portions by adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly. Alternatively, warm in a skillet with a bit of olive oil, stirring gently to restore moisture and prevent sticking.

Best Bites to Have with Spaghetti

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Complement the rich, meaty spaghetti with a robust Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon that stands up to the hearty beef flavors and cuts through the tomato sauce's acidity.
• Create a Zesty Side Salad: Toss a fresh green salad with crisp romaine, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette to balance the pasta's warmth and add a light, refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks: Crisp, buttery breadsticks sprinkled with garlic and parmesan cheese provide the perfect crunchy accompaniment to soak up the delicious sauce and add textural variety to the meal.
• Finish with Creamy Tiramisu: End the Italian-inspired dinner with a classic tiramisu dessert, offering a sweet, coffee-infused finale that complements the savory main course and cleanses the palate.

Switch-Up Ideas for Your Spaghetti Dish

• Spicy Southwest Spaghetti: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, add diced green chilies, and top with shredded pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Lamb Fusion: Swap ground beef for ground lamb, incorporate oregano and mint, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Protein Power: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, add extra vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini, and use vegetable broth instead of water for deeper flavor.
• Creamy Alfredo Style: Mix in cream cheese and heavy cream after cooking, replace tomato sauce with alfredo sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley for a rich, velvety alternative.

Why Homemade Spaghetti Feels Like Home

• Speed Up Dinner: Get a mouthwatering spaghetti meal ready in just 20 minutes using the Instant Pot, making weeknight cooking a breeze for busy families.
• Packed with Flavor Punch: Ground beef sautéed with Italian seasonings and garlic creates a rich, deeply seasoned sauce that transforms ordinary pasta into an irresistible comfort food experience.
• One-Pot Wonder Meal: Eliminate multiple dishes and cooking steps by preparing everything in a single Instant Pot, reducing cleanup time and simplifying the entire cooking process while delivering restaurant-quality results at home.
• Nutrient-Dense Dinner: Balanced with substantial protein from ground beef, complex carbohydrates from pasta, and minimal added sugars, this recipe provides a satisfying and relatively healthy meal option for families seeking quick nutrition.

Homemade Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spaghetti delights the senses with classic Italian comfort that brings families together around steaming plates. Perfectly al dente noodles nestled under rich tomato sauce invite you to savor each forkful of hearty, authentic goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Pasta:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 16 ounces (454 grams) spaghetti noodles

Sauce and Vegetables:

• 1 jar (24 ounces/680 grams) spaghetti sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced garlic

Seasonings and Oils:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) water (divided)

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Instructions

1. Heat the Instant Pot using sauté mode for a few minutes to prepare for cooking.
2. Add of olive oil and sauté diced onions until translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Introduce of ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small pieces and cooking until completely browned, around 5-7 minutes.
4. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and minced garlic over the meat. Stir and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to develop robust flavors.
5. Remove the seasoned beef mixture from the pot and set aside temporarily.
6. Pour of water into the pot, using a wooden spoon to deglaze and scrape up any caramelized bits from the bottom.
7. Carefully snap of spaghetti noodles in half, arranging them in a crisscross pattern inside the pot.
8. Evenly distribute spaghetti sauce over the noodles and add a can of diced tomatoes if desired.
9. Gently pour an additional of water around and over the noodles.
10. Seal the Instant Pot lid and ensure the valve is closed, then pressure cook for exactly 5 minutes.
11. Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes after cooking completes.
12. Perform a quick-release to eliminate any remaining pressure.
13. Open the lid and thoroughly mix all ingredients, ensuring even distribution of sauce and meat.
14. Serve immediately, optionally accompanied by a fresh salad or garlic toast.

Notes

• Instant Pot transforms ordinary spaghetti into a quick, hassle-free meal with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
• Perfectly cooked ground beef creates a rich, savory base that infuses deep Italian-inspired seasonings throughout the dish.
• Breaking spaghetti noodles ensures even cooking and helps them fit comfortably inside the Instant Pot’s cooking chamber.
• Layering ingredients strategically prevents noodles from sticking and allows sauce to penetrate every strand evenly.
• Natural pressure release method maintains tender meat texture and prevents overcooking delicate pasta.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing, Pressure Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 75 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg