Why I love this recipe:

One-and-done meal: Thanks to the Instant Pot, this pasta dinner is super simple and requires no babysitting. Even the uncooked pasta cooks right in the pot, soaking up all the flavors as though it’s been simmering for hours. That means fewer dishes and less cleanup!

Speedy, budget-friendly comfort food: With a quick cook time and a short list of ingredients, this is the kind of comfort food that doesn’t break the bank and will please everyone, even the little ones.

Super flexible recipe: This recipe is so adaptable—you can use whatever pasta you have on hand and throw in any leftover greens or veggies (like carrots, broccoli, peas, or corn) for a heartier meal.

Freezer-friendly: This recipe freezes well! You can thaw it overnight and reheat it on the stovetop for a super fast meal during the week.

Instant Pot Ground Beef and Pasta: Only 5 minutes in the Instant Pot! It’s so easy and affordable, plus it’s a hearty one-pot meal with a rich meat sauce.

Ingredients:

• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (90%) works best here. If you use fattier beef, you’ll get a more intense beef flavor.
• Onion: Yellow, sweet, or white onion is perfect, but you can also substitute shallots.
• Garlic: You can use garlic powder or garlic puree if you’re in a pinch.
• Red Wine: Go for a dry red like cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, or merlot. Red wine is great for deglazing the Instant Pot and lifting those brown bits (which are full of flavor!).
• Marinara Sauce: Since we’re doctoring up store-bought marinara, pick your favorite brand. We love Rao’s Roasted Garlic.
• Beef Stock: This keeps everything saucy! Choose an unsalted or lower-sodium option.
• Pasta: Campanelle pasta works great here, as its shape captures all the meaty, saucy goodness. You can also use fusilli, cavatelli, or gemelli.
• Parmesan: Finish off the dish with freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth texture.
• Basil: Top it off with fresh basil or your favorite herbs like thyme or rosemary.

Instructions:

1. Set your 6-qt Instant Pot® to the high sauté setting. Heat the olive oil, then add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in the red wine, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
4. Add the marinara sauce, beef stock, and pasta, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Set the Instant Pot to manual, adjust to high pressure, and set the timer for 5 minutes. Once the cook time is done, perform a quick release according to the manufacturer’s directions. Stir in Parmesan and fresh basil.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for Success:

• Use your favorite meat: You can swap the ground beef for Italian sausage (either sweet or spicy), chicken, or turkey.
• Pick a wine you’ll drink: A dry red wine like cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, or merlot works best—but don’t worry about using anything fancy! Just choose something you enjoy since you’ll have leftovers.
• Use high-quality stock: The better your stock, the better your dish. Many brands add a lot of salt, so go for unsalted or low-sodium stock.
• Sneak in some greens: This is a great dish to sneak in some leafy greens if you have picky eaters. Spinach, kale, collard greens, swiss chard, or arugula all work well.
• Serve with crusty bread: Pair it with some homemade crusty bread for dipping, sopping, and dunking!

What to serve with Instant Pot Ground Beef and Pasta:

• Easy Skillet Dinner Rolls
• Italian Chopped Salad
• Glazed Carrots
• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Vegetables
• Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe

Tools for This Recipe:

• 6-qt Instant Pot®

Instant Pot Ground Beef and Pasta: Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to use ground beef?
  Nope! You can swap it for ground pork, ground turkey, or even Italian sausage.
• Do I have to use red wine?
  You can use extra beef stock as a substitute for the red wine if you want a non-alcoholic version.
• What can I use instead of campanelle pasta?
  Fusilli, cavatelli, and gemelli are all great alternatives.
• Is this freezer-friendly?
  Yes! Leftovers freeze perfectly. Just store them in individual freezer bags, thaw overnight, and reheat on the stovetop.