Instant Pot Spaghetti [Using Optional Kale Stems]
I am loving the way this one pot meal comes together without much thought AND uses up the kale stems I always hate to throw away after making this kale salad or this one.. The tough stems get nice and soft and between the cooking and the sauce lose their strong flavor, making it a great way to increase the greens you are eating.
It works great with any type of pasta, I just recommend a brief cooking time for gluten-free pastas that fall apart more easily.
How to Use Kale Stems
When I make Kale Salad I simply chop the stems into pieces about 1/2 inch long or smaller. I toss them in a ziploc in the freezer. When I’m ready to make this meal, I pull them out, cook them with my onions until tender and then proceed with this recipe.
I’ve also cooked the Kale Stems solo in the Instant Pot and kept them in the fridge. I pull them out and add to hummus for a dip or a sandwich. I don’t mind them that way but let’s be honest, I’m the only one eating them and sometimes they get bad. This way I get them into all of my kids and haven’t had to toss any! I LOVE getting a little extra bang of nutrition this way!
This is such a great recipe for busy nights! It’s easy to prep ahead and then program the Instant Pot to turn on when needed.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 8 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 1/2 TBSP avocado oil or 3 TBSP broth/water
- 1 cup diced kale stems OPTIONAL
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups chickpeas or other beans, lentils drained and rinsed
- 16 ounces pasta
- 2 25 oz jars marinara sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper optional, to taste
Ingredients
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- Saute onion and kale pieces in broth/oil until translucent. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds longer.
- Add rinsed beans, pasta and marinara sauce. Add about 1 cup water to each jar to rinse out remaining sauce and add to Instant Pot.
- Secure Instant Pot Lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes (regular pasta) or 1 minute for gluten free pastas.
If you may not be eating pasta as soon as it finishes cooking, reduce cooking time by a few minutes to avoid overcooked pasta.
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