These classic style Frozen Meatballs in the Instant Pot are quick and easy. They are ready in under 10 minutes! That’s faster than you can boil pasta! They are the perfect dinner options for busy days.
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The best Frozen Meatballs
You don’t always have to make your meatballs from scratch to enjoy great ones. And honestly, sometimes we just don’t have the time. If you’re really looking to save your time and energy, these classic style meatballs in the Instant Pot are ready in well under 10 minutes.
I like meatballs but I don’t always love the time it takes to make them from scratch. Thankfully, there are plenty of tasty options for frozen meatballs available in your grocery store’s freezer section. And when making them in the Instant Pot, it really couldn’t be easier or faster.
I like to make a big batch of these and serve some with dinner then freeze the rest for future easy meals like meatball sandwiches, as a side with ratatouille, or of course, with all the pastas!
If you’re looking to save and enjoy more of your precious time without sacrificing a great dinner, these Instant Pot meatballs are for you!
They’re a one-pot, hands off meal that allows you to spend more time with your family, or get some alone time in the kitchen with a nice glass of wine! And they’re ready in less time than it will take you to boil the pasta!
Why you’ll love Instant Pot Meatballs
- They’re quick! You can have dinner ready in under ten minutes! The cooking time is only 5 minutes.
- Easy. Just place the ingredients in the Instant Pot, set the timer, and voila.
- One pot. Less dishes means less mess and more smiles.
- Family friendly. You can even let the kids help get these started. Though I recommend the adult handling the hot, finished product.
Ingredients for Frozen Meatballs in the Pressure Cooker
- Frozen meatballs – grab your favorite frozen cooked meatballs from the freezer section at your grocery store. This recipe works with ground beef, chicken, and turkey meatballs.
- Spaghetti sauce – use your favorite jarred tomato sauce. If there’s a brand that your family loves the most, use that one!
- a little water – Just a little to thin out the sauce to avoid that burn notice
How to cook Instant Pot Meatballs
Honestly, this couldn’t be easier, even if you ordered take-out from the local Italian restaurant and waited for it.
- Add the trivet along with the spaghetti sauce and water to the Instant Pot.
2. Pour the meatballs on top of the trivet.
3. Place the lid securely on the Instant Pot and set the valve to SEALING.
4. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 5 minutes.
5. QUICK RELEASE the pressure and carefully remove the lid.
6. Remove the trivet and mix the meatballs and sauce together.
7. Serve over pasta, as a platter, or as sandwiches and enjoy!
Tips and tricks for this frozen meatballs recipe
- Placing the meatballs on the trivet will help keep the Instant Pot from giving a “burn warning”.
- If you use a very thin spaghetti sauce, you may need to use less water. The additional liquid recommended in the recipe helps with both the pressure and the steam along with keeping the “burn notice” from happening.
- Measure your 1/2 cup of water, then swirl it in the spaghetti sauce jar before adding to the Instant Pot so none of it goes to waste.
- If the sauce or meatballs you chose came out a little bland, sprinkle in some garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to help.
How to Serve Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
These meatballs and sauce are great for lunch, dinner, parties, and pot-lucks.
- Serve these Instant Pot meatballs classy style atop of or alongside your favorite pasta with some garlic bread or breadsticks.
- Have them as a sandwich on a long roll with some melted provolone or mozzarella and air fryer sweet potato fries.
- On their own as a platter with a generous serving of fresh grated parmesan cheese and a hefty slice of garlic bread.
- As part of a mashed potato bowl. This may seem like an odd combination, but it’s actually a very enjoyable and fairly classic comfort food pairing. Try it with some roasted garlic mashed potatoes or boursin mashed potatoes.
products used to make Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
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Buy Now → How to Store Leftover Meatballs
Store leftover meatballs in a well-sealed, airtight container. Stored properly, they should be good for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze any leftover meatballs. And they freeze really well.
After they have cooled completely, place them in an airtight, freezer-safe bag. I like to place individual or two-person portions in my Souper Cubes freezer containers then pop out the frozen portions into easily accessible bags for future meals.
Stored properly, they are at their best for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Reheating Leftover Meatballs
I prefer to reheat these in a pot over a medium – medium high heat on the stove. If you are going to reheat them in the microwave, I recommend reheating them, covered with a paper towel or microwave safe cover, at 75% power for 2-3 minutes until warmed through to your liking.
Frozen Meatballs FAQs
Frozen meatballs can be cooked to completion in under five minutes using the Instant Pot.
Yes, you can cook frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot without defrosting first.
More Great Meatball Recipes
- French Onion Meatballs
- Sticky Sweet Chicken Meatballs
- Chicken Pesto Meatballs
- Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce
- Ground Beef Meatballs
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Instant Pot Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 35 ounces frozen meatballs
- 45 ounces spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Add the sauce and water to the bottom of the Instant Pot liner.
- Place the trivet into the Instant Pot and place the meatballs on top of the trivet.
- Place the lid securely on the Instant Pot and set the valve to SEALING.
- Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 5 minutes.
- QUICK RELEASE the pressure and carefully remove the lid.
- Remove the trivet and mix the meatballs and sauce together.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Placing the meatballs on the trivet helps keep the Instant Pot from giving a burn warning. If you have a very thin spaghetti sauce, you may need less water. The water helps with both the pressure & steam along with keeping the burn notice from happening.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
