This Instant Pot Spaghetti with Lentils makes a perfectly hearty weeknight dinner with just 7 pantry staples in 10 mins. It's tasty, rich in protein, fiber and budget friendly. No gummy noodles plus you won't miss the meat at all. Vegan.Vegetarian. Gluten-Free.Kid Friendly. Instant Pot Video Recipe. Stove Top Recipe included.
Why you will love this Lentil Spaghetti
Have you ever tried combining lentils and spaghetti at all? I mean how could we not try the idea of combining two of our very popular recipes Italian Lentil Soup and Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. It's a killer combination and has become a new family favorite.
- Meatless Spaghetti for the veggie lovers.
- It's super easy to make with basic ingredients readily available at home and makes a perfect weeknight meal.
- It's healthy and hearty with lots of flavors and texture.
- Packed with fiber and plant based protein.
- No babysitting.
- One Pot recipe, no multiple utensils and after cleaning.
I mean what's not to love about this Lentil Spaghetti?
Lentil Spaghetti in Instant Pot?
If you are thinking why Spaghetti in Instant Pot? Let us explain. If you think Instant Pot or pressure cookers are best for food with tough textures why make pasta in Instant Pot when it's already so simple to make it on the stove top. Well you are mistake here, my dear. Instant Pot Spaghetti is way easier, faster, tastier and hassle free when made in the Instant Pot.
Honestly it's a one pot recipe. No washing and cleaning multiple pots and pans, isn't that golden? No continuous stirring or waiting for the water to boil. Just sautee the onion and garlic and toss in the remaining ingredients and the lentil spaghetti will be ready in 10 minutes. Best part unlike the traditional spaghetti where the spaghetti has to be boiled separately and then mixed in with the sauce. In the Instant Pot the Spaghetti is cooked along with the sauce which packs a lot of flavors into the Spaghetti. It's just a must-try.
If you are worried about gummy sticky noodles or uncooked lentils, don't be!!!Check out the video recipe, you can see how well the noodles and lentils are cooking without sticking to the bottom or burning. I don't know about you but I am never go back to making Spaghetti the traditional way. This is so much easier and tastier. Try it yourself.
How to make the best Instant Pot Lentil Spaghetti?
Cooking pasta and noodles in the Instant Pot can always be tricky. So always go with a tried and tested recipe like this one. the last thing you want is burnt food when you have a hangry family waiting at the table. So we tested this recipe multiple times and revised this recipe with a generic brand of spaghetti available everywhere. Most important we share some of our tips and tricks to get the best results.
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients - Gather the spaghetti, Italian seasoning, salt, water, oil, homemade marinara sauce or tomato sauce, chop the onions and parsley, rinse the lentils.
Step 2: Saute - Using the Saute function, heat oil in the inner pot. Once the oil is hot, add the Italian seasoning, and saute for a couple minutes.
Step 3 : Throw in remaining ingredients - Now add the water and thoroughly scrape off the bottom of the pot for any food stuck to it. This is an important step to avoid any burn notice. Also do not stir the pot anymore after this point. Next throw in the marinara or tomato sauce. Remember donot stir. Now add in the spaghetti. Spread the spaghetti evenly around the pot and lightly submerge it enough to not touch the bottom of the pot but yet covered under the liquid. No stirring please!
Step 4: Pressure Cook - Cover the lid, seal the vent and pressure cook for 10 minutes followed by quickly release the pressure.
Step 5 : Garnish and Serve.
Pro tips to get the best results
- This recipe is tested with Barilla Gluten-Free Spaghetti and also Barilla Spaghetti No. 3.
- Step 3 if the most critical step for getting the best results and to avoid any burn notice.
- Do not stir the ingredients after adding the water.
- Do not stir the sauce.
- Spread the pasta evenly or else you will get a lumps.
- Lightly submerge the spaghetti, making sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the bottom but is submerged enough in the liquid.
- As soon as the timer beeps, quick release the pressure. Initially the sauce may seem to thin. Gently mix together the noodles and sauce. Allow the spaghetti to rest for 5 minutes before serving and you will notice the sauce thicken to just the perfect consistency.
- The pasta eating window where you can enjoy warm, tender and no gummy noodles or sauce is very small. So enjoying it while it is freshly made is always the best option.
Instant Pot says Burn - Heard and read about the dreaded burn message, here is everything you need to know about Instant Pot says Burn Message. What is it, what it means, why you get it and how to avoid it?
How to make Lentil Spaghetti on Stove Top?
If you don't have an Instant Pot and would like to make this recipe, use cooked lentils for this recipe. Cook the spaghetti as per the instructions on the package.In a pan heat oil, sautee the garlic and onion, until it's fragrant then add tomato or our homemade marinara sauce, cooked lentils, salt and cooked spaghetti noodles and allow to cook for a couple mins. Garnish with parsley and serve it hot.
What Lentils can I pair with Instant Pot Spaghetti?
You can make this spaghetti with either, green, brown or even red lentils. The lentils and gluten-free spaghetti take the same amount of time to cook, 10 minutes so there can't be a better match than this. I personally haven't tried using red or brown lentils for this recipe, but typically when I want the lentil texture to be soft like for soups I cook my lentils for upto 8-10 minutes.
What can you serve with this Lentil Spaghetti?
- Salad
- Breadsticks
- Roasted Vegetables
Packing Spaghetti for Lunch
We use a Thermos Lunch box that keeps food warm. We have a few different ones at home that we use. Thermos Funtainer, Vaya Tyffin, Stainless steel lunchbox with insulated bag.
Freezing or Left Overs
If you have left overs or would like to make some extra and freeze it. Divide it into the portions you want. Place individual portions of Spaghetti into freezer safe zip lock bags. The morning you want to pack Spaghetti for lunch, run warm water on then ziplock for 15 seconds. This will help separate the sides from the bags. Then toss the portion into a microwave safe container add a couple tablespoons of water and reheat in microwave. Adding water will prevent the spaghetti from drying.
So let's get to the recipe. Hope you get around trying this Lentil Spaghetti. We would love to hear from you if you still prefer the traditional cooking method or we have converted you to use you IP to make your Spaghetti. Don't forget to take a picture and tag us on Facebook or Instagram. If you made any tweaks to this recipe, share them below in the comments. Hope you enjoy this Spaghetti as much as we did.
For more pasta recipes, click here.
Instant Pot Spaghetti with Lentils Recipe
Instant Pot Spaghetti with Lentils
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: VeganDiet
Description
This Instant Pot Spaghetti with Lentils makes a perfectly hearty weeknight dinner with just 7 pantry staples in 10 mins. It's tasty, rich in protein, fiber and budget friendly. No gummy noodles plus you won't miss the meat at all. Vegan.Vegetarian. Gluten-Free.Kid Friendly. Instant Pot Video Recipe. Stove Top Recipe included.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic, crushed
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 8 oz. tomato or marinara sauce
- ½ cup lentils, rinsed
- 4 oz. glutenfree spaghetti
- 2.5 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- parsley for garnishing
Instructions
Instant Pot Lentil Spaghetti Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients - Gather the spaghetti, Italian seasoning, salt, water, oil, homemade marinara sauce or tomato sauce, chop the onions , garlic and parsley, rinse the lentils.
Step 2: Saute - Using the Saute function, heat oil in the inner pot. Once the oil is hot, add the Italian seasoning, and saute for a couple minutes.
Step 3 : Throw in remaining ingredients - Now add the water and thoroughly scrape off the bottom of the pot for any food stuck to it. This is an important step to avoid any burn notice. Also do not stir the pot anymore after this point. Next throw in the marinara or tomato sauce. Remember donot stir. Now add in the spaghetti. Spread the spaghetti evenly around the pot and lightly submerge it enough to not touch the bottom of the pot but yet covered under the liquid. No stirring please!
Step 4: Pressure Cook - Cover the lid, seal the vent and pressure cook for 10 minutes followed by quickly release the pressure.
Step 5 : Garnish and Serve.
Stove Top Lentil Spaghetti Recipe
If you don't have an Instant Pot and would like to make this recipe, use cooked lentils for this recipe. Cook the spaghetti as per the instructions on the package.In a pan heat oil, sautee the garlic and onion, until it's fragrant then add tomato or our homemade marinara sauce, cooked lentils, salt and cooked spaghetti noodles and allow to cook for a couple mins. Garnish with parsley and serve it hot.
Notes
Pro tips to get the best results
- This recipe is tested with Barilla Gluten-Free Spaghetti and also Barilla Spaghetti No. 3.
- Step 3 if the most critical step for getting the best results and to avoid any burn notice.
- Do not stir the ingredients after adding the water.
- Do not stir the sauce.
- Spread the pasta evenly or else you will get a lumps.
- Lightly submerge the spaghetti, making sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the bottom but is submerged enough in the liquid.
- As soon as the timer beeps, quick release the pressure. Initially the sauce may seem to thin. Gently mix together the noodles and sauce. Allow the spaghetti to rest for 5 minutes before serving and you will notice the sauce thicken to just the perfect consistency.
- The pasta eating window where you can enjoy warm, tender and no gummy noodles or sauce is very small. So enjoying it while it is freshly made is always the best option.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Additional Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian
