Instant Pot Meatballs

Juicy and tender Instant Pot meatballs are made quickly and easily with no searing and no long simmering time. Toss them uncooked in the pressure cooker, and they’re ready in just over 30 minutes! 

More Instant Pot favorites include Instant Pot baked ziti, Instant Pot goulash recipe and Instant Pot spaghetti.

Meatballs in the Instant Pot

I don’t know about you, but spaghetti and meatballs was one of my favorite meals as a kid. There was just something so comforting about coming home to the aroma of homemade meatballs simmering on the stove.

These days, I’m taking a faster and easier approach to cooking meatballs in the Instant Pot, but keeping the essence of old-fashioned meatballs with classic flavors of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, and parsley.

Instant Pot meatballs are meaty and juicy cooked in a flavorful marinara sauce and loaded with tasty seasoning. They’re ready in just over 30 minutes with 10 of those minutes being actual hands-on prep time. Otherwise, it’s the pressure cooker that does the work.

If you need a couple of tips on how to use the Instant Pot before you get going, don’t worry I’ve got you covered. This meatball recipe is just one of the reasons why everyone loves their Instant Pot!

Tips & Variations

• I use half an 80/20 lean ground beef and half pork, but you could also use all beef if you wanted. I find the combination gives the juiciest results.
• Ground turkey or chicken will also work, although they’re generally a drier meatball. Combine with beef if desired. Don’t skimp on the seasoning when making turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs!
• Do not overmix the meatballs. You don’t want them too overworked and dense. For tender meatballs, just mix until combined.
• Grate parmesan from a block whenever possible. It has a fresher flavor, melts easier, and doesn’t come with the anti-clumping agents pre-shredded parmesan has.
• Any jar of your favorite marinara sauce will work. A jar should work out to about 3.5 cups.
• Fresh garlic and onions are recommended if you have them, but you can definitely use garlic and onion powder instead.
• The same goes for using dried parsley if you don’t have any fresh on hand.

Can I Double the Recipe?

Absolutely! Double the meatballs and double the sauce. The cooking time will remain the same. These meatballs freeze well, so making extra to freeze for later is a great way to think ahead for meal prep ideas and having something to grab out of the freezer on busy weeknights.

Can I Make this Gluten-Free?

Easily. Just make sure the breadcrumbs you’re using are certified gluten-free, or if you’ve made them yourself, make sure you’re using gluten-free bread. Double-check the ingredients in your marinara sauce as well. You never know where sneaky gluten hides!

Ways to Serve Them

• Buffet style: If you’re planning on serving Instant Pot meatballs to a crowd, whether serve yourself buffet style or as part of a pasta bar, keep them on the warm function for as long as needed and everyone can scoop out as many as they want.
• With bread: A basket of garlic bread, French bread, garlic knots or breadsticks is needed to sop up all of the yummy sauce.
• On top of: Cooked pasta, a meatball sub, and meatball sliders are some of my family’s favorite ways to use them.
• Alongside veggies: Caprese salad, grilled asparagus, roasted zucchini and squash, and a chopped salad would all pair well a saucy meatball dish!
• Serving a crowd? Add crockpot lasagna and one pot chicken caprese pasta!

Storing, Freezing, & Reheating

• To Store: Keep covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To Freeze: Transfer to a freezer-friendly bag or container and keep stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through.

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