Instant Pot Meatball Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (for cooking)
• 1/2 cup water (for the Instant Pot)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatballs:
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined. Use your hands to form the mixture into 1-2 inch meatballs.
2. Set Up the Instant Pot:
   Add 1/2 cup of water to the Instant Pot’s inner pot. Place the trivet (the metal rack) inside the pot.
3. Sear the Meatballs (optional):
   If you want a crispy exterior, select the “Sauté” function on the Instant Pot. Once it’s hot, add the meatballs in batches, searing them on all sides for 2-3 minutes. You can skip this step if you prefer to cook the meatballs directly in the sauce.
4. Add the Sauce:
   Once the meatballs are browned (or if you skipped the searing), pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs in the Instant Pot.
5. Cook the Meatballs:
   Close the lid of the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to “Sealing.” Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting and cook on high for 8-10 minutes.
6. Release the Pressure:
   Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then switch the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure.
7. Serve:
   Carefully open the lid, remove the meatballs, and serve them with pasta, rice, or on a sandwich bun. Enjoy!