Description
This High Protein Instant Pot Spaghetti is a quick and flavorful meal packed with lean ground beef, high-protein pasta, and a creamy blend of cottage cheese and Parmesan. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner, it uses the Instant Pot to achieve tender pasta and a rich sauce in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Liquids and Sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth or water (divided)
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or favorite pasta sauce
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked high-protein spaghetti (noodles broken in half)
Cheeses
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté beef: Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil and ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat as it browns, for about 5–6 minutes until fully cooked. Stir in salt, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder to season.
- Deglaze: Turn off the Sauté function. Pour in 1/2 cup of water and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot thoroughly, removing any browned bits to prevent burning during pressure cooking.
- Layer pasta and sauce: Break the spaghetti in half and scatter it evenly in crisscross layers over the cooked beef. Pour the marinara sauce evenly on top, then add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of water carefully, without stirring.
- Pressure cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to Manual (Pressure Cook) on high pressure for 7 minutes. Note that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the brand of high-protein pasta used. Once done, carefully execute a quick pressure release.
- Blend the cottage cheese: While the pasta is cooking, blend the low-fat cottage cheese in a blender or use an immersion blender until completely smooth to create a creamy texture.
- Add cheeses: Open the lid and gently stir the cooked pasta and sauce mixture. Stir in the blended cottage cheese until creamy, then mix in the grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the dish to rest for 2–3 minutes, letting the sauce thicken.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the spaghetti warm, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese if desired, and enjoy your high-protein meal.
Notes
- Use high-protein spaghetti brands for best texture and protein content; cooking times may vary slightly by brand.
- Do not stir the pasta and sauce after layering before pressure cooking to prevent clumping or sticking.
- You can substitute chicken broth with water for a lighter flavor.
- Blending the cottage cheese smoothens its texture, making the sauce creamy without adding heavy cream.
- Fresh basil is optional but adds a fresh herbal note to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-American
