Cooking with ground beef is one of those simple joys that brings warmth to any kitchen. The Instant Pot makes it even better — locking in flavors, tenderizing meat, and cutting down cooking time without sacrificing taste. Whether you’re feeding a family, meal prepping for the week, or just want a quick and satisfying dinner, these recipes cover it all.

Below are five fully detailed ground beef Instant Pot recipes, including prep time, cook time, ingredients, instructions, and helpful tips to make each dish perfect.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Chili

A bowl of hearty chili is comfort in every spoonful. With the Instant Pot, you get rich flavors and tender beef in less than half the usual time.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion chopped
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Sauté the Beef: Turn on the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
2. Add Aromatics: Stir in chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
3. Season Well: Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef.
4. Combine Ingredients: Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth. Mix thoroughly.
5. Pressure Cook: Close the lid, seal the valve, and cook on Manual High Pressure for 12 minutes.
6. Natural Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
7. Serve: Stir well and taste for seasoning. Serve hot with shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.

Notes

Chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for later.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Pasta

This one-pot ground beef pasta is cheesy, comforting, and ready in under 30 minutes. There’s no need to cook pasta separately — everything comes together perfectly in the Instant Pot.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 4 cups dry pasta penne or rotini
• 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Brown the Beef: Turn on Sauté mode and cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any fat.
2. Add Aromatics: Stir in onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft.
3. Combine Ingredients: Add tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and dry pasta. Stir well so the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
4. Pressure Cook: Seal the lid and cook on Manual High Pressure for 5 minutes.
5. Quick Release: When done, quick release the pressure carefully.
6. Cheese It Up: Stir in mozzarella while the pasta is still hot. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to thicken.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in a few tablespoons of cream cheese after cooking.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Tacos

Taco nights just got even easier. The Instant Pot infuses the beef with spices, giving you flavorful, juicy taco filling in minutes.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner / Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ cup beef broth
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Taco shells or tortillas
• Optional toppings: lettuce tomato, cheese, salsa, sour cream

Method

 

1. Brown the Meat: Set to Sauté, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it apart. Drain fat.
2. Add Aromatics & Spices: Stir in onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes.
3. Add Liquid: Pour in beef broth and stir.
4. Pressure Cook: Close the lid and cook on Manual High Pressure for 2 minutes.
5. Quick Release: Carefully quick release and stir to let excess liquid absorb.
6. Serve: Spoon beef into taco shells or tortillas and add your favorite toppings.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a splash of lime juice or chopped cilantro just before serving.

Instant Pot Meatballs in Sauce

Tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in tomato sauce — all done in the Instant Pot. No browning or baking needed.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Meatballs:
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• For the Sauce:
• 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup beef broth

Method

 

1. Make the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently and form into balls.
2. Prepare the Sauce: Pour crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and beef broth into the Instant Pot. Stir well.
3. Add Meatballs: Gently place meatballs into the sauce without stirring too much.
4. Pressure Cook: Close the lid and cook on Manual High Pressure for 8 minutes.
5. Natural Release: Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest.
6. Serve: Serve with spaghetti, rice, or crusty bread.

Notes

For extra depth, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Instant Pot Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef

These stuffed peppers are beautiful, nutritious, and full of savory beef and rice. The Instant Pot cooks them perfectly without turning them mushy.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 bell peppers tops cut off, seeds removed
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup beef broth
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Mix the Filling: In a bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, onion, half the tomato sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Stuff Peppers: Fill each bell pepper with the beef mixture.
3. Prepare the Pot: Pour beef broth and remaining tomato sauce into the Instant Pot. Place the stuffed peppers upright inside.
4. Pressure Cook: Close the lid and cook on Manual High Pressure for 10 minutes.
5. Quick Release: Carefully release pressure.
6. Serve: Spoon extra sauce over the peppers before serving.

Notes

Sprinkle cheese on top after cooking and let it melt under the lid for a cheesy finish.

These five recipes show just how versatile ground beef can be when paired with the Instant Pot. From chili to pasta, tacos, meatballs, and stuffed peppers, you can create comforting, flavorful meals without spending hours in the kitchen.