Instant Pot Meatballs with Marinara (Best Recipe Ever)
The answer to your busy weeknight dinners: These Instant Pot Meatballs with Marinara may just be my favorite recipe here on Randa Nutrition. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s a family favorite that I’ve made multiple times this past month. It can be made in a pressure cooker, slow cooker, or over the stove. The choice is yours.
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Pressure Cooker Meatballs
I’ve made this recipe a variety of ways:
- pre made meatballs from one of the Randa Nutrition x truLOCAL boxes I made for you. Not in BC? That’s okay, build your own box and use code RANDA for 10% off.
- these hidden veggie meatballs
- plain ground turkey meatballs with a little flavor
- 1lb ground beef with 1/4 cup almond flour, 1 egg, and a ton of garlic.
Either way it’s good. You could also try frozen cooked meatballs from the freezer section to make it easy too!
Ingredients for Instant Pot Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb meatballs these can be pre-made, frozen, or homemade (I’ll list the ingredients below)
- 1 batch homemade quick marinara sauce
For homemade meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
How long to cook frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot?
Depending on the size of the frozen meatballs, you can cook them for 8 minutes (which is the same amount of time the raw meat is to be cooked for). Here’s why:
I tend to over cook things, especially in my Instant Pot. Let’s just call it what it is.
What I love about this recipe is that the meatballs stay moist and delicious and I feel better knowing that all the rawness is gone.
Supplies Needed
I made this recipe using a pressure cooker, whether it’s Ninja Foodi meatballs or Instant Pot it doesn’t matter. It should work out the same.
Not sure what pressure cooker is right for you? Check this out: Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi.
No Pressure Cooker? No Worries.
You can easy toss this in the slow cooker and cook low for 6-8 hours or high for 2-4 hours.
No slow cooker? Here are some stove top instructions:
Cook the meatballs, whether you bake them or cook them in a skillet. Then heat up the quick marinara sauce and pour over the balls.
You can also put everything in a 9×13 baking dish and bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes (depending on size of meatballs).
Can I Freeze Meatballs with Marinara sauce?
Yes, this recipe freezes well for leftovers.
Tip: make sure the meal is completely cooled before freezing.
Freeze them in an air tight container, or a resealable bag. If you’re using the bag, make sure you get as much of the air out as possible.
These can stay frozen for 3 months. Simply reheat and serve!
Cook the Meatballs Before Freezing
I recommend cooking the meatballs before freezing. It’s easier this way and makes it that much quicker to the point you can eat when you take them up. Just heat in the microwave or toss in the Instant Pot!
What to Serve Meatballs With
Homemade meatballs don’t always have to go with spaghetti (although, it’s delicious). Here are a few other options you can make with this Meatballs in InstantPot recipe.
- Subs (meatball sandwiches are always a hit whether they’re plain or with some melted cheese and peppers).
- With a side of bread (kind of like a sandwich, but different because you get to dip the bread in the sauce).
- Keep it low calorie and low carb by serving meatballs with a side of veggies. Raw, roasted, your choice.
- In addition to the veggies, serve it with a side salad (like this 3 Pepper Kale Salad).
- Meatball pizza anyone? The sauce is done and you can top your pizza with meatballs.
How to make Instant Pot Meatballs with Marinara Sauce
This meatballs in tomato sauce recipe is deadly. DEADLY! Plus it’s so stinkin’ easy that you’ll be hooked.
You can serve this over your favorite pasta and call it a meal, or load it on some subs for meatballs sandwiches!
Regardless of what you choose, this is your answer to busy weeknight dinners.
Healthy Comfort Food on Randa Nutrition
Here are a few more healthified comfort food recipes that you’ll love just as much as this meatball marinara recipe.
- Healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal Recipe
- Roasted Garlic Dill Potatoes Recipe
- Simple and Healthy Macaroni and Cheese For Picky Eaters
- Pot Roast Soup in the Ninja Foodi (Pressure Cooker and Slow Cooker Option)
Make sure you add these Instant Pot Marinara Meatballs to your meal plan this week! Not sure how to meal plan? I have a free mini course walking you through it. Check it out:
Instant Pot Meatballs with Marinara
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb meatballs pre made, frozen, or homemade (below)
- 1 batch homemade quick marinara sauce click for the recipe
For homemade meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
Homemade Meatballs
- Add all of the ingredients together and mix well. Roll into balls about 1 1/2" in size.
Instant Pot/Ninja Foodi/Pressure Cooker Instructions
- Lay out the meatballs on the bottom of your Instant Pot and pour the blender marinara sauce over top.
- Seal the pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Let it come down naturally for 10 minutes and then release the pressure.
- Serve with pasta, on a sandwich, or as is with a side of veggies.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Add the meatballs to the bottom of the slow cooker and cook low for 6-8 hours or high for 2-4 hours.
Oven and Stove Top Instructions
- Option 1: Cook the meatballs, whether you bake them or cook them in a skillet. Then heat up the blender marinara sauce and pour over the balls.
- Option 2: You can also put everything in a 9×13 baking dish and bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes (depending on size of meatballs).
