Instant Pot Italian Meatballs with Sweet Tomato Basil Sauce - Instant Pot Meatball Recipe

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often more affordable.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and provides a cheesy flavor, while pecorino is usually less expensive.

Combine 3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs with 1/3 cup whole milk and stir. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Add 1/2 cup white onion, 1 jumbo egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon chopped jarred garlic, and 1/4 cup fresh parsley to the breadcrumb mixture.

Add 1 1/2 lb ground beef and 1 lb sweet fennel sausage to the mixture.

Use a folding technique to mix the ingredients until well combined and fluffy.

Roll the mixture into meatballs, using a palmful of the mixture for each meatball.

Turn the Instant Pot onto sauté and let it heat until it reads hot.

Add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil to the pot.

After 10 seconds, add 1 teaspoon garlic, 1/2 cup onion, 1 teaspoon tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir and sauté for about 2 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Add 1 cup Cabernet Sauvignon to the pot and allow the alcohol to burn off.

Add 2 (28 oz) cans of crushed tomatoes with basil and stir well to combine with the sautéed ingredients.

Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup sweet fresh basil, 1 teaspoon onion salt, 1 tablespoon dry parsley, and 3 bay leaves. Stir to combine.

Add 1 cup filtered water to the pot to create steam for pressure cooking.

Place the rolled meatballs into the sauce in the Instant Pot.

Seal the lid and set the venting to sealed position. Turn off sauté and set to manual high pressure for 12 minutes.

After 12 minutes, vent the pressure and unlock the lid to reveal the meatballs.

Skim off any excess fat from the top of the sauce using a ladle, then stir to incorporate all ingredients.

Plate the meatballs and top with additional grated Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens