Instant Pot Spaghetti

About This Recipe

Instant Pot spaghetti is a fantastic one-pot meal with easy clean up! Jar sauce keeps it easy, and you can add meat or keep it vegetarian.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef (ground bison, or meatless crumbles)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 cloves garlic (minced, about 1 tablespoon)
• 4 cups chopped kale (chard, or other hearty greens (optional))
• 2 cups water (divided)
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or other tomato-based pasta sauce
• 8 ounces dry whole wheat spaghetti
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus additional for serving)
• Chopped fresh basil or parsley (for serving)

Instructions

1. Turn the Instant Pot to SAUTE. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Brown the meat, breaking it up into pieces with a wooden spoon. Add the salt, parsley, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Continue to cook and break apart, until the meat is fully cooked through, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Pour in 3/4 cup of the water and scrape along the bottom of the pot to remove any stuck-on bits.
3. Add the kale (if using) and sauce and stir to evenly combine.
4. Break the spaghetti noodles in half, and then place them in two layers directly over the beef. DO NOT STIR.
5. Fill the now-empty pasta jar with the remaining 1 1/4 cups water. Place the lid back on the jar, shake gently, then pour the rinsed liquid evenly over the pasta (again, DO NOT STIR).
6. Cover and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH (manual) for 8 minutes.
7. As soon as the cook time has elapsed, immediately vent to release the remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid and stir in the Parmesan. At this point, the pasta will look a little soupy, but it will thicken up as it sits.
8. Turn off the Instant Pot. Let sit uncovered a few additional minutes to cool and to allow the extra liquid to absorb. Stir once more. Scoop into serving bowls and sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.