Instant Pot Meatball Marinara Pasta Recipe – Quick Weeknight Dinner

If you can count to seven, you can make this dish. With only seven ingredients, this Instant Pot Meatballs Marinara Pasta is one of the fastest, simplest, and most satisfying weeknight meals you can prepare. It’s designed for busy cooks who want an economical, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s ready in about 10 minutes from start to finish. All ingredients are easy to find—many are even available at warehouse stores like Costco.

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Instant Pot Meatballs Marinara Pasta

Pressure Cook The Pasta and Balls

Box of ziti rigati — Start with one box of short pasta in the Instant Pot—ziti rigati works great.

Broth being poured into Instant Pot with pasta — Pour in 4 cups of broth (vegetable, chicken, or beef—use what you prefer).

Submerging pasta in broth — Use a spatula or spoon to nudge the pasta so it’s mostly submerged.

Topping pasta with two pats of butter — Top with two pats of salted butter to add flavor and help prevent sticking.

Topping pasta with frozen meatballs — Finish by placing frozen meatballs on top—no sautéing required. Seal the lid and pressure cook.

The Finishing Touches

Pressure cooked meatballs and pasta — When the cook cycle finishes, you’ll have tender meatballs and perfectly cooked pasta.

Stirring pasta and meatballs — Give everything a gentle stir to combine the meatballs and pasta.

Adding marinara sauce to pot — Add about 3 cups of marinara sauce. Tip: use a jarred sauce you like and warm it so it doesn’t cool the pasta down.

Adding grated Parmesan cheese to pot — Stir in a cup of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano for savory depth.

Adding herb cheese to pot — Fold in a creamy herb cheese—Boursin, Alouette, or a homemade garlic-herb cheese—for richness and a garlicky finish.

Mixing everything together in the pot — Mix thoroughly until the sauce and cheese coat the pasta and meatballs evenly.

Dinner Is Served

Mixed pasta tossed in sauce in pot — Let the pasta rest a few minutes so the sauce thickens slightly, then serve.

Pasta plated in a bowl — A comforting, cheesy pasta meal ready in minutes—perfect for busy nights.

The Taste Test

Man holding bowl of pasta — This recipe makes a great impression—show off how quickly you made dinner.

Man eating pasta — Taste and adjust seasoning or cheese to your preference.

Man giving thumbs up with pasta — Enjoy a dinner that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Yield: 6

Instant Pot Meatballs Marinara Pasta

This no-fuss Instant Pot recipe uses short pasta, broth, frozen meatballs, butter, marinara, grated cheese, and a creamy herb cheese to create a rich, comforting meal in minutes. It’s ideal for families or anyone who wants a quick, economical dinner with minimal hands-on time.

Prep Time
3 minutes

Cook Time
4 minutes

Additional Time
3 minutes

Total Time
10 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound (1 box) ziti rigati or other short pasta
4 cups broth of your choice
2 tablespoons salted butter, divided into two pats
1–1½ pounds frozen meatballs
3 cups marinara sauce, warmed or at room temperature
1 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, plus extra for serving
1 package Boursin, a tub of Alouette, or 3/4 cup herb cheese

Instructions

Add the pasta to the Instant Pot and pour in the broth. Press the pasta down so it’s mostly submerged, then add the two butter pats and top with the frozen meatballs.
Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Quick-release when the timer finishes. Keep the pot on the warm setting.
Stir in the marinara, grated cheese, and herb cheese until well combined. Let rest for about 3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly, then serve with extra grated cheese if desired.

Jeffrey’s Tips

For a meatless version, use frozen plant-based meatballs. If skipping meatballs entirely, increase the pressure cook time to 6 minutes so the pasta cooks properly. The herb cheese is optional but adds a creamy, garlicky finish—consider making a homemade version to save money and freeze extras.