This Instant Pot Meatballs in Gravy dinner is one of the easiest meals to make in a pressure cooker. Pair it with simple mashed potatoes and a salad and you've got a full meal on the table in no time.
This simple Instant Pot dinner is not only easy and quick but is totally kid-friendly!
Jump to:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please visit my disclosure page
Related: 20 Instant Pot Soup Recipes from Parade.com
Ingredients
- Butter
- Onions - Sweet Yellow Onion
- Garlic
- Beef Broth
- Frozen Meatballs
- Brown Gravy - Jarred gravy is easy
- Salt & Pepper
See recipe card for exact amounts etc.
If you don't have an Instant Pot yet, you can make these meatballs in gravy on the stove, it will just take longer.
Instructions
The first step is to soften the onions. Using the sauté mode, melt better and add onions. Once onions start to soften, add garlic and stir for about a minute.
Add the broth to the instant pot next. Deglaze the pan by scraping the bottom of the pot to make sure there is nothing stuck.
Stir in salt and pepper and stop the sauté function.
Next step is to add the frozen meatballs into the pot.
Pour the jar of gravy over the meatballs. Cover and seal the instant pot and set to 6 minutes for high pressure cooking.
Quick release the pressure when timer is up.
Stir and serve.
Tip
If you are new to instant pot cooking, you will need to know that it takes a little time for the instant pot to come to pressure, then the timer will start. This means that even though the time is set to 6 minutes, it will take a little longer than that.
Variations
- Meatballs - try my Turkey Meatballs that you've made ahead and frozen.
- Add mushrooms in when adding the onions
- Try nutmeg and allspice to give more of a Swedish Meatball profile
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce with gravy and sour cream to finish to give more of a stroganoff flavor profile
Serving suggestions
I like to serve my meatballs in gravy over a big glob of mashed potatoes. On the super busy nights, I just use the store bought mashed potatoes that get tossed in the microwave.
You could also serve these meatballs over creamy polenta if you feel like giving the effort.
Rice is also a nice option, or a nice creamy rice, you know, like one of those packets that come together in minutes.
If you're trying to behave, you could also serve this over mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice.
For the side vegetable, I like a simple arugula salad or my super delish garlic green beans!
Wondering what else you can make in this magical Instant Pot? Just use that little search button on the top right of the screen and type "instant pot".
Stove-Top instructions
Follow above instructions but using a large skillet or sauté pan up to adding gravy to pot. At that point, after pouring in the gravy, place a cover on pan and simmer until meatballs are cooked thru.
Printable Recipe Card
Meatballs In Gravy Instant Pot Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- ½ Cup sliced sweet onions
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ Cup beef broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
- 15-20 frozen meatballs 1 oz size meatballs
- 18 ounce jarred beef gravy
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to saute and add butter. Once melted, add onions. Saute until just starting to soften, stirring often. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Pour beef broth into pot to deglaze, being sure to stir and get up any bits that might be stuck to the pot. Stir in salt and pepper. Turn off saute function.
- Add meatballs to the pot. Pour entire jar of gravy over meatballs. Cover and seal pot. Set timer to 6 minutes using the manual high function.
- After timer beeps for completion, use quick release valve to release steam. Stir to coat all meatballs in gravy and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The owner of this website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com
Susan Mary Malone says
These look yummy! And easy to do. I love that you paired them with the mashed potatoes.
Neely Moldovan says
WE love meatballs and everyone raves about the instant pot. We use a slow cooker but Imay have to try the instant pot out!
BoyMomPrayForMe says
I just have to say that this meal is an all-time favorite with my picky husband, 4 year old, 2 year old, and now 10 month old. I’ve been making it for several years now, and it’s alway a huge hit with them!
foodyschmoody says
I know a thing or two about picky eaters and how difficult it is to please them all. I'm so glad this is a winner for you!
Janella Panchamsingh says
Oh this meal makes me looks forward to the fall season coming. I love comfort food
Jen says
This recipe is right up my sleeve! I read a lot of recipes and think "I could never recreate that!" but this looks so delicious and easy, I'm going to give it a try!
Gingermommy says
My family would love this recipe as they love meatballs
Heather Johnson says
I am all for super easy meals! Your use of frozen meatballs and jarred gravy makes this dish a real winner for me.
Liz Mays says
Those meatballs look great! I like making instant pot recipes like this when my whole family is coming over.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I love my electric pressure cookers! I use them several times a week, sometimes for meatballs but I prefer to make them from scratch, it's just as easy.
Gunjan says
This looks scrumptious and a filling dinner idea. I must pass this recipe on to my friend who is extremely fond of meatballs.
Courtney says
Omg can we say yum!?! I just love meatballs. Definitely going to be giving your recipe a try! Deliciousness!
Instant Pot Eats says
This looks awesome and so easy. I love using pre-made meatballs or freezing my own to whip up later xx
foodyschmoody says
Frozen meatballs are such a time saver, whether they be homemade or store bought - you're right.
Debra C. says
I made this tonight and served it over spaghetti squash (that I drained really well), this recipe is so yummy and really easy! Just wanted to pop by and say thank you again for another fabulous IP recipe!
foodyschmoody says
Awesome! I'm so glad that you are embracing the IP! For most, it seems, the hardest part is finally getting it out of the box. FYI - spaghetti squash can be made in the IP too 🙂
Janice says
Which brand of frozen meatballs do you and your family like?
foodyschmoody says
I'm not committed to one brand but I use Trader Joe's brand and Johnsonville the most. For the soups, I prefer the Trader Joe's because they come pretty small, perfect bite sized meatball.
Stacey says
Has anybody tried to
Double the recipe?
foodyschmoody says
Yes, you can double the recipe and keep the cook time the same. It might add a few extra minutes to the time it takes to come up to pressure but everything else will be the same.
Susan says
Frozen meatballs and a can of gravy do not make a recipe. Actually making the meatballs and gravy would have taken almost as little time and not be full of fillers,chemicall,salt and sugar. We have to get away from the big corporations mindwashing that fast meals have to be bought in a box or a can. No disrespect intended. Just frustrated that this is included as a recipe when it's all premade. I am looking for receives with real food ingredients.
foodyschmoody says
I agree with you that homemade is best. I often use my own homemade frozen meatballs for this recipe. However, I have been asked over and over by my regular readers for more shortcut recipes. I actually mention in the "article" that I don't really think of this as a recipe but I do believe a lot of my readers have appreciated the suggestion. I'm sorry that you feel so strongly that you took time out of your day to leave a negative rating.
Rod Carril says
I need to know if I have to fully cook the frozen homemade meatballs or if I can use browned but not fully cooked frozen meatballs. This is a newbie question from a guy working with two Italian in laws that I love and an instant pot that is new to them and not part of their 65 plus years of cooking!
foodyschmoody says
I make both homemade and store bought and I have not noticed a need to change the cook time. Enjoy!
Nicki says
My family loves this recipe! I use brown gravy mix and fix before putting in instant pot. They always turn out delicious! I, for one, do not have time, nor energy to homemake meatballs or gravy.