Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce

Make Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce with this frozen meatballs recipe in pasta sauce. An easy meal perfect for meatball subs or as an appetizer. This is a great recipe for busy weeknights or game day!

This super easy Instant Pot frozen meatball recipe is perfect when you want a “dump and start” dinner without any prep work. It’s a great starter recipe that is 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 this frozen meatballs Instant Pot recipe.

This simple recipe is perfect for game day or an easy dinner on busy weekdays. Of course, you can just enjoy the meatballs and sauce on their own, as well!

If you want more Instant Pot meatball recipes, check out my Sweet and Sour Meatballs over jasmine rice, Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs and Cranberry Orange Meatballs — perfect for the Holiday season!

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients for this instant pot meatball recipe. If you don’t have these pantry staples at home, you can find them in your grocery store.

• Olive oil
• Frozen meatballs — Italian meatballs or your favorite flavor
• Water
• Spaghetti sauce — jar or homemade sauce
• Seasonings — garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes 

How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Instant Pot

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

First, add a little bit of olive oil to the bottom of the pot. It’s not totally necessary, but it does help prevent the sauce from sticking.

And when the sauce sticks, there’s a higher chance of the burn notice appearing on your electric pressure cooker.

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.

Cook Time

It only takes 5 minutes to cook meatballs in the Instant Pot on high pressure! 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.

Once the pot reads zero, do a quick release of the pressure by turning or pressing down on the pressure release valve. Then, your pressure cooker meatballs are done!

I like to take my meatballs one step further by topping them with fresh basil and parsley. It’s a great way to add more flavor!

Of course, you can eat these as they are, but I love making meatball subs!

Just lightly toast some rolls, add mozzarella or provolone cheese and the meatballs, and broil until the cheese melts.

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge. They will last for four to five days.

You can also place them in the freezer for longer storage.

Reheat in the microwave in thirty second intervals. Make sure to cut the meatballs in half so that the inside cooks.

Variations

For more flavor, substitute water with beef broth.

Use turkey meatballs instead of beef or pork.

Use homemade marinara sauce or tomato sauce instead of a jar of sauce.

If you want Instant Pot frozen meatballs and spaghetti or pasta, try my Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs recipe.

Expert Tips

Make sure to layer the ingredients starting with the olive oil on the bottom of the pressure cooker. Then, add the water, then meatballs, then sauce in that order.

Don’t stir all of the ingredients together until after pressure cooking. This helps prevent the burn notice.

Remember to add water or broth. The Instant Pot needs thin liquid to build pressure.

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

My whole family adores this instant pot meatballs recipe, and I hope you enjoy this simple dinner as much as we do!

Fore more easy instant pot recipes check out my Instant pot recipes archive. For more easy recipes and quick dinners, please follow me on social media and subscribe to the newsletter.