From-scratch Instant Pot Meatballs

Instant Pot Meatballs are one of our favorite weeknight meals to whip up. Homemade meatballs in a tomato-based sauce served over a bed of pasta. Or whip up these meatballs in the instant pot as an appetizer.

Instant Pot Meatballs

Ground beef meatballs are some of our family’s favorites. At times we will do a mix of ground beef and sausage for our Instant Pot Stuffed Meatballs.

Ways To Serve These Pressure Cooker Meatballs

• Spaghetti Sauce
• Tomato Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Plain

Serve with pasta, cauliflower rice, or load your meatballs on a hoagie bun with sauce and bake meatballs and sandwich in oven for a tasty sandwich. This easy meatball recipe is versatile so you can serve however you would like.

Try our Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs for another great recipe.

Will we Get Burn Notice On Pressure Cooker Meatballs

The key is to make sure that you have a thin sauce. If your sauce is too thick it will trigger a burn notice. If after you put all the ingredients in and you feel it is still too thick add a bit more water.

The other thing is after you sear your meatballs you HAVE to deglaze your pot. Make sure to scrape away any meat that is on the bottom of the pot. You could also purchase the non-stick Instant Pot Pot Liner to help prevent any sticking.

Can we Use Gluten Free Bread Crumbs In This Meatball Recipe

Yes, you are welcome to use gluten-free bread crumbs if you want a gluten-free meatball recipe. Just watch each ingredient you use to ensure you have the recipe that fits your dietary needs.

Do You Quick Release Meatballs in Instant Pot

You will do a natural release once you are done with the pressure cook. That means you allow it to naturally release the pressure, and wait for the pin to drop. Don’t do a quick release like you do for other recipes.

Can we Make A Double Batch

As long as you have room in your pressure cooker you can double this recipe. Make sure to watch your max line and don’t go over that. We have made a double batch a few times in our 8 quart Instant Pot and it worked just fine.

Tips For Making Homemade Meatballs

• Make sure you don’t overmix the meatballs. When you do that, they will become tough and the juicy texture goes away and they feel dense and heavy.
• Use a cookie scoop so that you get even meatballs. If they are all different sizes you will find the consistency of the meatballs will be so different. Some could be overcooked while others are undercooked.
• You can use part beef and part Italian sausage. The reason being is it can give you a juicier meatball. But we have found when we cook in the Instant Pot it does a fantastic job at keeping them moist.
• Make sure to brown the meatballs on all sides. This will lock in moisture, create flavor and a great texture of the meatballs.

Ingredients

Makes 24 meatballs

Ingredients:

• 2 lb beef, or 1 lb beef and 1 lb sausage
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 cup breadcrumbs, or to personal preference
• 1 egg, large
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil

For the tomato sauce:

• 4 cups tomato sauce of choice
• 12 oz Italian-style tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Equipment

• Silicone Sealing Ring for Instant Pot Accessories
• Mixing Bowls
• Instant Pot

Method

1. You will want to do your meat, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a bowl and begin mixing. Once it is mixed add in breadcrumbs, egg and mix until incorporated.
2. Then with a cookie scoop measure out your meatballs. 1.5 tablespoon-sized meatballs is what we did but feel free to do whatever size you want.
3. Turn saute on Instant Pot and pour in your oil. Then once it gets hot add in your meatballs and brown them on all sides.
4. To fully cook meatballs it takes 6-8 minutes or if you plan to do sauce like we did you can cook for 5 minutes, and then add in the sauce and finish cooking in the mixture.
5. Turn off the saute and make sure to scrape the bottom of your pot so you don't get burn notice. Add in your tomato sauce ingredients, stir well and then seal and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes on high pressure.
6. Natural release your meatballs and serve over a bed of pasta, on a hoagie bun or however you would like.

Kitchen notes

Depending on the size of meatballs you make will depend how many you end up with.