Flavorful Instant Pot Italian Meatballs with Marinara
Elevate your dinner game with these Flavorful Instant Pot Italian Meatballs, featuring a savory blend of ground beef, herbs, and spices simmered in rich marinara sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings with family and friends. Just mix, shape, and let the Instant Pot do the magic! Serve these tender meatballs over your favorite pasta or in a toasted sub for a delicious Italian-inspired meal that everyone will love.
N/A
Servings
160
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Marinara Sauce
3 cups (ready to use)
Ground Beef
1 lb (fresh)
Breadcrumbs
1/3 cup (plain or Italian seasoned)
Ketchup
2 tablespoons (regular)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Minced Onions
2 tablespoons (fresh)
Parsley
1 teaspoon (dried or fresh, chopped)
Oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon (regular)
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (regular)
Instructions
1
Begin by pouring the marinara sauce into the bottom of the Instant Pot, ensuring it covers the base evenly.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, ketchup, egg, minced onions, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
3
Using your hands, mix the ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Shape the mixture into uniform meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
4
Place the meatballs on top of the marinara sauce in the Instant Pot. It's okay to stack them if necessary.
5
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring it’s properly sealed. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting and set the timer for 5 minutes.
6
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before switching the valve to 'venting' to release any remaining pressure.
7
Carefully remove the lid and serve the meatballs hot over cooked pasta, or load them into toasted sub rolls for a hearty meatball sandwich.
Nutrition Information
9.3g
Fat
10g
Carbs
9.2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in these Instant Pot meatballs?
The recipe uses one pound of fresh ground beef as the primary protein.
How much marinara sauce do I need?
You will need 3 cups of ready-to-use marinara sauce.
What is the cooking time in the Instant Pot?
Set the Instant Pot to Manual or Pressure Cook for 5 minutes.
Is there a specific pressure release method?
Yes, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before venting the remaining pressure.
What size should the meatballs be?
The meatballs should be shaped into uniform sizes of about 1 inch in diameter.
Can I stack the meatballs in the Instant Pot?
Yes, it is okay to stack the meatballs on top of each other if necessary.
Do I need to sear the meatballs before pressure cooking?
No, the recipe instructions direct you to place the raw shaped meatballs directly on top of the sauce.
What ingredients are used to bind the meatballs?
A combination of breadcrumbs and one beaten egg is used to bind the meat mixture.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains 160 calories.
What is the fat content of these meatballs?
There is 9.3g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
This recipe contains 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
There is 9.2g of protein per serving.
Should I use fresh or dried parsley?
You can use either one teaspoon of dried parsley or fresh chopped parsley.
What spices are used to season the meat?
The seasoning blend includes garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and salt.
What should I serve these meatballs with?
They are delicious served over your favorite cooked pasta or loaded into toasted sub rolls.
Is ketchup included in the meatball mixture?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of regular ketchup are mixed into the meat for flavor.
Can I use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs?
Yes, you can use either plain or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
How do I prevent the meatballs from becoming tough?
Mix the ingredients until they are just combined and be careful not to overmix.
Do I put the sauce in first or the meatballs?
Pour the marinara sauce into the bottom of the Instant Pot first to ensure it covers the base.
What type of onions are recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of fresh minced onions.
How much garlic powder is used?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of regular garlic powder.
Is this a good recipe for weeknights?
Yes, it is specifically described as an easy recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
What type of pepper should I use?
The recipe suggests 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
Can I use this for meatball sandwiches?
Absolutely, they are great for hearty meatball subs with toasted rolls.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The meatball mixture includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Do I need to add water to the Instant Pot?
The recipe uses 3 cups of marinara sauce which provides the necessary liquid for pressure cooking.
What setting should I select on my Instant Pot?
Use the Manual or Pressure Cook setting.
How much oregano is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
Is the egg beaten before adding it to the meat?
Yes, the recipe specifies one beaten egg.
Is this recipe considered Italian-inspired?
Yes, it is described as a delicious Italian-inspired meal featuring traditional herbs like oregano and parsley.