Using quinoa to sub bread crumbs and eggs, these Instant Pot spaghetti meatballs are perfect for those with allergies or sensitives. This is a family-friendly dish showcasing the best of Italian flavors.
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Egg-Free, Gluten free pasta, Gluten-Free, Instant Pot pasta recipes, Italian, Meatballs
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 40 minutesminutes
Servings 4servings
Calories 744kcal
Author Megan Lavin
Ingredients
⅔cupwater(160 ml)
⅓cupquinoauncooked (58 g)
2clovesgarlicfinely minced (about 1 tsp)
1½teaspoondried oregano
1½teaspoongranulated onion powder
1teaspoondried basil
½teaspoondried parsley
½teaspoonsalt
1lb.Italian sausage(455 g)
24 oz.tomato basil marinara sauce(710-ml)
12oz.gluten-free spaghetti1 package
Fresh basil or parsleyfor garnish (optional)
Instructions
Place your water and quinoa in your Instant Pot. Close the lid. Use the pressure button to set your Instant Pot to high pressure. Move the valve to sealing. Hit manual and use the plus and minus buttons to reach 1 minute.
Once the timer is done, allow the pot to sit for 10 minutes. Once the display shows “L:10,” move the valve to venting to finish releasing any leftover pressure.
Once the quinoa is cool enough to handle, place it in a bowl with the garlic, oregano, onion powder, basil, parsley, salt, and Italian sausage. Mix well by hand.
Form the meatballs by hand, making them about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Pour half of the bottle of marinara sauce into the bottom in the Instant Pot. Place the meatballs on top of the sauce and pour the rest of the sauce on top.
Close the lid and move the valve to sealing. Hit manual and use the plus and minus buttons to reach 10 minutes.
While the meatballs cook, boil your spaghetti according to package directions until al dente; then drain and rinse.
Once the timer is done, move the valve to venting to quickly release the steam.
Serve the meatballs and sauce over your pasta and garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if so desired
Notes
The author used to cook brown rice noodles for pasta dishes but found that those don’t hold up in hot soups or the next day in leftovers. The brands that have both rice and corn have a much better texture.