Instant Pot Grain-Free Pasta and Meatballs

Instant Pot Grain-Free Pasta and Meatballs

Meatballs without frying, pasta without boiling, and a rich and hearty sauce that doesn’t come from a jar, all on the table in under an hour. That’s Instant Pot Grain-Free Pasta and Meatballs. What more can we say?

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Instant Pot Grain-Free Pasta and Meatballs

Instant Pot Grain-Free Pasta and Meatballs

Instant Pot Grain-Free Pasta and Meatballs

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs

  • 1 pound 85% lean ground turkey
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup Anthony’s Blanched Almond Flour
  • 1 tbsp Anthony’s Coconut Flour
  • 1 tbsp dried minced shallots
  • 2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Optional: 1 tsp avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil, divided*

For the Sauce

  • 3 cups water, divided 
  • 2 medium carrots, quartered lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 28-oz can petite diced tomatoes (with liquid), no salt or sugar added
  • 1 8-ounce container baby bella mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
  • 1 box chickpea pasta (we used Barilla chickpea casarecce), 8 to 9 ounces
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced (about a cup)
  • 1 cup sweet bell pepper, chopped (any colors)
  • 1/2 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried parsley 
  • 1 tsp Lakanto Classic Sweetener
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt, more to taste after cooking 
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

For the Meatballs

  1. Place oven rack at center position, preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and line a large baking sheet with foil or a Silpat mat and set aside. *If using Silpat, you will not need to grease the sheet. If using foil, rub 1/2 tsp oil over the foil to prevent sticking (because they will otherwise stick). 
  2. Add the ground turkey, egg, and dried shallots to a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, salt, and spices. 
  3. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to mix the turkey and egg together, then sprinkle with half of the dry mixture and fold to incorporate. Repeat with the remaining mixture until fully combined. Let sit 5 minutes (this allows the mixture to firm up as the coconut flour absorbs excess moisture).
  4. Use a small dough scoop to measure out 32 equal meatball portions. Roll into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, then bake for 20 minutes. Note: The meatballs will not be fully cooked after 20 minutes and will still have raw centers, so observe proper meat handling protocols.

For the Sauce

  1. While the meatballs are baking, prep the vegetables and set aside in a large bowl.
  2. Add half of the can of tomatoes (with the liquid), spices and salt, vinegar, Lakanto, tomato paste, and 1 cup of water to a blender or food processor (we used a basic Ninja pitcher). Pulse until smooth. Add another 1 1/2 cups of water, pulse a few times, and set aside. Reserve the third cup of water until the end. Add the remaining canned tomatoes to the bowl with the vegetables. 

Putting it Together

  1. Remove meatballs from oven after 20 minutes, let sit 3-5 minutes (dab with a paper towel to remove excess fat, if necessary), then rub the bottom of the Instant Pot with 1/2 tsp oil and transfer the meatballs to the bottom of the Instant Pot in a single layer (one pound of meatballs will just fit in a 6-quart IP).
  2. Layer the vegetable mixture on top of the meatballs, then layer the pasta on top of the vegetables. 
  3. Pour the blended tomato sauce directly over the pasta, then add the reserved 1/2 cup of water to the pitcher/bowl, pulse a few times, then pour into the Instant Pot taking care not to disturb the sauce on top of the pasta. 
  4. Lock the lid on your Instant Pot and make sure the steam release handle is on “Sealing”. Set to Manual/High for 7 minutes and vent manually as soon as cook time has ended. Note: This timing will work with any variety of chickpea pasta.
  5. As soon as the pin drops, open the Instant Pot and remove the inner pot – this is critical because it stops the pasta from continuing to cook. Use a large slotted spoon to gently fold from bottom to top to incorporate ingredients. Transfer to a serving bowl or individual plates and serve. Reserve any excess liquid for storing leftovers.

Notes

Cooking time includes baking and Instant Pot cooking time, but not pressurizing and venting time.

Refrigerate leftovers with any extra sauce in an airtight glass container for up to 4 days. The pasta will continue to absorb liquid and become even more flavorful.

Nutrition Estimate Per Serving (1/8 RECIPE WITH 4 MEATBALLS) – Calories: 343, Fat: 15.2g, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: .2g, Monounsaturated Fat: .4g, Cholesterol: 73.3mg, Sodium: 386g, Potassium: 912mg, Carbohydrates: 33.5g total/25.3g net, Fiber: 8.2g, Sugar: 6.9g, Protein: 21.9g, Vitamin A: 57.4%, Vitamin C: 81.2%, Calcium: 13.7%, Iron: 16.2% (based on 2,000 calorie diet). Nutrition based on 8.8-ounce Barilla chickpea casarecce, yellow bell pepper, and 1/2 tsp olive oil.

  • Author: Fresh. Out.
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Dinner, Entree, Main Course
  • Method: Baking & Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Keywords: INSTANT POT, SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS, TURKEY MEATBALLS, DAIRY-FREE, GRAIN-FREE, WEEKNIGHT MEALS, LEFTOVER LUNCHES, CHICKPEA PASTA, INSTANT POT PASTA, GLUTEN-FREE, HIGH-PROTEIN

INSTANT POT GRAIN-FREE PASTA AND MEATBALLS

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