another quick meal

In my opinion, spaghetti is one of the quicker meals to make, that is if you are using a jarred marinara sauce. This one, using the Instant Pot, is even quicker. Think of the convenience of no-boil lasagna noddles and you are on the right track with these spaghetti noodles. The only hands-on part of this recipe is browning the meat, then you are free to go about your business while the Pot does the rest. As you can see from the photos above and below, Max was very helpful in the kitchen.

Instant Pot Spaghetti

• 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casings
• 1/2 teaspoon of each; salt, garlic powder, and onion powder
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 pound spaghetti noodles
• 1 (24 – 28 ounce) jar marinara sauce (I prefer Roa’s)
• 4 ½ cups water
• 1 (14.5 Ounce) can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Set the Instant Pot to Saute and add the Italian sausage. Add the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Cook the meat and seasonings, breaking the meat up until it’s completely browned. Turn the Instant Pot off. Drain any excess grease from meat, if necessary. (In case you are wondering, that is the Instant Pot Potato Soup cooling in the background) Also, Marissa did not have Italian seasoning, so I used a combo of thyme, basil and oregano, which are the main ingredients in Italian seasoning.

Break the spaghetti in half and place on top of the meat in the Instant Pot in a crisscross pattern. (Place about 1/4 of the noodles halves in one direction. The next quarter in the other direction, etc.) Pour over the spaghetti sauce, water and, diced tomato. (As always use the water to clean out the remains from the sauce jar and the diced tomato can) Push the spaghetti down with a spoon, if necessary, to make sure it is completely covered in liquid. Place on the lid.

Turn the Pot back on and set to the Manual mode, on high pressure, for 8 minutes cooking time. When the time is up, use the Manual Quick Release to release the steam from the pot, when the button drops, open the Instant Pot. Stir the spaghetti well and serve, sprinkled with Parmesan.

Serves 6