Easy Instant Pot Meatballs – From Fresh Or Frozen

These are the BEST Instant Pot Meatballs EVER. I know this since I have worked my way through a gazillion different version to make sure I really bring you THE BEST version.

Allow me to demonstrate how easy this recipe is. Flavourful and juicy meatballs in a herby tomato sauce all cooked up in the Instant Pot in just 5 mins.

You don’t have to fry or bake the meatballs first, you don’t have to simmer the tomato sauce away. Nope, not for this recipe. You just put them all in the magic pot and press go.

Yeap, these Instant Pot meatballs are about simple, good quality, pantry staple ingredients that you can throw together in a heartbeat for an easy yet impressive meal.

Effortless cooking that makes this recipe a great option for weeknight suppers, busy life moments and anytime you feel you are short on time. You are very welcome!!!

Why You’ll Love These

• Make ahead – batch cook these Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce, refrigerate or transform into make-ahead freezer meals. Think Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs.
• Meatballs for a crowd – double or triple this recipe to feed a crowd.
• Meal Plan friendly – even better these juicy meatballs for the basis of a whole week’s worth of meal planning. See some ideas below.
• Family-friendly – seriously the whole family will love them.
• Immensely adaptable – add herbs and spices to your taste.
• Diet friendly – low carb, keto and gluten free.

Recipe Tools

So are you ready to lear how easy it is to cook meatballs in Instant Pot? Then gather all your ingredients and let me show you…..

How To Make Instant Pot Meatballs

1. Combine all meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Form the mix into balls using your hands or small ice cream scoop.
3. Oil the Instant Pot insert then add the meatballs, don’t try and mash them and you can layer them
4. Pour over the tomatoes, water, vinegar and herbs.
5. Cover the Instant Pot, Seal, select pressure cook (or manual),set to high and set the time to 5 minutes.
6. Cook till done, allow 10 minutes natural pressure release and then quick pressure release the rest.

How To Cook Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs

1. Oil the Instant Pot insert then add the frozen meatballs, don’t try and mash them and you can layer them
2. Pour over the tomatoes, water, vinegar and herbs.
3. Cover the Instant Pot, Seal, select pressure cook (or manual), set to high and set the time to 5 minutes.
4. Cook till done, allow 10 minutes natural pressure release and then quick pressure release the rest.

See how easy it is to make these awesome low carb meatballs?

Pressure Cooker Meatball Tips

• This was designed as a ‘one pan dump everything in and press go’ recipe for busy moments in your life. If you have time and prefer to, then please go ahead and brown the meatballs first. Just brown them using the sauté function in batches in the Instant Pot till done. Don’t forget to deglaze the pot before cooking the meatballs in tomato sauce if you brown the meatballs first.
• To make life even easier feel free to use a pre-made tomato sauce or some store-bought pasta sauce.
• The total cook time does not include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure or for the pressure to release.

Meat Tips

• You can absolutely use regular breadcrumbs if you are not following a low carb or gluten-free diet.
• I find beef (or pork) with some fat works best in this recipe. However, if you are trying to reduce the calories then by all mean use lean beef.

Recipe Variations

This is full of amazing fall flavor as is, but you may want to try these variation suggestions.

• Change the spices and herbs – Feel free to add in Tuscan seasoning, onion powder, dried rosemary, red pepper flakes, chipotle paste etc.
• Breadcrumbs – you can use gluten free breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs if you prefer.
• Use broth – Swap the water for some beef or chicken broth.
• Top them with cheese – Transfer meatballs to a broil safe dish, top with cheese and broil for a few minutes until cheese is melted.

Prep Ahead And Storage

This meatballs recipe is super freezer-friendly, which means it is ideally suited for meal prep. Simply whip up a batch (or double or even triple) and then store in the freezer until you’re ready to use.

Prep Ahead – This meatballs can be cooked up to a few days in advance and reheated. 

Store – Store the cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Freeze – Follow the handy tips below for how to freeze this.

• Transfer into these convenient Ziploc freezer bags.
• Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
• Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
• Store in the freezer for 3 months.
• To make reheating easier, freeze in the right portion sizes that you need for the future.
• To Thaw – Remove the frozen meatballs from the freezer the night before needed and let thaw in the fridge.

Reheat – To reheat, simply let them thaw out in the fridge and then reheat in a saucepan over low heat so that the meatballs stay moist. That way you have

Meal Planning Ideas

So the great thing about these Instant Pot Meatballs is that they can be an awesome base for meal planning. How do you ask?

There are a gazillion ways you can use these for meal planning. I suggest a few ideas of what to serve with your meatballs here but please don’t be limited by these ideas. They are just a starting point.

• Monday – with fluffy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (gluten-free).
• Tuesday  – besides some Cauliflower Rice (low carb).
• Wednesday – over Zucchini Noodles (Low carb and gluten free).
• Thursday – with Homemade Corn Tortillas and slaw in taco form (gluten-free).
• Friday –  stuffed in Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes (gluten-free).
• Saturday – with easy Instant Pot Brown Rice and a green salad (gluten-free).
• Sunday – along with Garlic Green Beans and Instant Pot Broccoli (low carb and gluten-free).

FAQs

How Long Do You Cook Meatballs in a Pressure Cooker?

Well, 5 mins is perfect for cooking medium to large sized meatballs in your pressure cooker. If you have smaller meatballs you might want to start with 4 mins and see how cooked they are and go from there.

What Meat Do You Use For Meatballs?

I find beef (or pork) with some fat work best in this recipe. You can also use a mixture of beef and pork. However, if you are trying to reduce the calories then by all mean us lean beef or turkey or lean chicken.

How Do You Brown Meatballs?

Just brown them using the sauté function in batches in the Instant Pot till done. Make sure to deglaze the Instant Pot insert before cooking the meatballs in tomato sauce.

Can You Make The Meatballs Crispy.

You sure can. Remove cooked meatballs form the sauce and broil for a couple of minutes, turning half way through until they are crispy.

Make These Pressure Cooker Meatballs Without Sauce

It is super easy to make Instant Pot Meatballs no Sauce if you want. All you would do is add a cup (250mls) of water into the Instant Pot Insert, add the meatballs to a steamer basket and add the basket into the Instant Pot and cook as normal.

Instant Pot Meatballs and Spaghetti

Making these and Spaghetti is sooooo quick and easy. Cook the meatballs according to the recipe. Whilst the meatballs are cooking, cook the spaghetti on a stovetop (or in your second Instant Pot), then drain and set pasta aside. When the meatballs are done, add the pasta and serve.

More Instant Pot Beef Recipes

• Easy Instant Pot Chili.
• Instant Pot Sloppy Joes.
• Juicy Instant Pot Hamburgers.
• Instant Pot Chili Mac.
• Instant Pot Swiss Steak.
• Instant Pot Beef And Broccoli.
• Instant Pot Pot Roast.
• Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage.

Weight Watcher Points

If you use calorie-controlled cooking spray instead of olive oil in Step 3 as well as lean turkey mince, there are 2 Blue Plan SmartPoints per serving.

Thank you for reading my Instant Pot Meatballs and sauce recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Originally published August 2018. Republished August 2020.

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