Instant Pot Meatballs
Get meatballs on the dinner table in record time using the Instant Pot. The no-fuss meatballs are cooked in the sauce, so cleanup is a breeze.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 8 persons
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs
- 2pounds ground beef (lean, 85/15 to 90/10)
- 2large eggs
- 3cloves garlic (crushed and minced)
- ⅓cup onion (finely minced)
- ½cup plain breadcrumbs
- ⅓cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- ¼cup milk
- 3tablespoons parsley (chopped)
- 1teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½teaspoons kosher salt
- ½teaspoon ground black pepper
- For the Sauce
- 1 ½tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓cup onion (finely chopped)
- 4cloves garlic (minced)
- 2(28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1(15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1cup water (or unsalted beef stock or part red wine)
- 2tablespoons basil (fresh chopped; or 2 teaspoons dried leaf basil)
- 1 ½teaspoons kosher salt
- ½teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1(6-ounce) can tomato paste
- Optional: 2 teaspoons sugar (or to taste)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients.Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the beaten eggs, garlic, onion, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, parsley, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Mix until well blended. Refrigerate the meatball mixture while you prepare the sauce.Step 3
Choose the sauté setting on the Instant Pot and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water or stock, basil, kosher salt, ground pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes, if using.Step 4
Shape the ground beef mixture into 1-inch (or larger) meatballs. Place them on the sauce mixture, layering as necessary. Do not push them down or they might lose their shape.Step 5
Lock the Instant Pot lid in place and turn the venting knob to "sealing." Choose the manual setting and high pressure and then set the timer for 9 minutes.Step 6
When the time is up, wait for about 5 minutes and then carefully move the knob to "venting." Remove the cover and set the pot on sauté; add the tomato paste and stir gently. Simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes, or as needed to reduce slightly.