Instant Pot Spaghetti
This Instant Pot Spaghetti delivers 43g protein and 617 calories per serving by combining pasta with ground meat in one pot. Batch 4 servings in quick prep time without draining water separately, cutting prep steps to a minimum. The carb-protein ratio makes this reliable for post-workout meals when you're balancing muscle gain with training volume.
Ingredients
- •Olive oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •90/10 Ground Beef(454g)
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1 tablespoon dried parsley
- •Onion powder(5g)
- •Red pepper flakes(1g)
- •Garlic(15g)
- •Kale(960g)
- •2 cups water (divided)
- •Pasta Sauce, Marinara, Canned
- •Pasta, Spaghetti, Whole Wheat, Dry(227g)
- •Parmesan Cheese(80g)
Grated Parmesan — the shelf-stable canister is fine for cooking.
- •Basil, Fresh
Instructions
- 1Turn 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.
- 2Stir 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.
- 3Add the kale (if using) and sauce and stir to evenly combine.
- 4Break the spaghetti noodles in half, and then place them in two layers directly over the beef. DO NOT STIR.
- 5Fill 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).
- 6Cover and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH (manual) for 8 minutes.
- 7As 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.
- 8Turn 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.
Nutrition — Per Serving
617
calories
43g
protein
26g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 57g
- Saturated fat
- 8.7g
- Sodium
- 571 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 15.9g
4 servings per batch · ~439g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Instant Pot Spaghetti have per serving?
Each serving contains 43g of protein and 617 calories with 26g fat and 57g carbs. This is a carb-forward meal that works well on high-activity training days.
How long does Instant Pot Spaghetti take to prepare?
This recipe qualifies as quick prep and serves 4 people, so you're getting multiple complete meals from a single cooking session. The one-pot format minimizes cleanup while delivering a full pasta-based dinner.
Is Instant Pot Spaghetti good for muscle gain?
At 43g protein and 617 calories with 57g carbs per serving, this recipe supports muscle gain phases where post-workout carbohydrate replenishment matters. The higher calorie and carb content makes it ideal for fueling intense training sessions.
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