Instant Pot Beef Penne Pasta (E Meal)

Trim Healthy Mama E meals don’t have to be hard—and this one proves it.

This extremely easy Instant Pot Beef Penne Pasta brings hearty comfort food to any THM E meal. It uses a simple throw-and-go method that works beautifully with freeze-dried food. Quick to make and pantry-friendly, it’s a reliable go-to for busy work afternoons or those nights when “let’s just grab pizza” feels tempting.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of pasta of choice (Dreamfields Penne works well)

• 2 cups of extra-lean ground beef (cook drain, and rinse)

• 1 Tablespoon Granulated Garlic

• 4 cups of Water

• 4 teaspoons bouillon

• 2 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning

• 1/4 cup tomato paste or tomato powder (rehydrated)

• 1/2 cup Freeze-Dried Mushrooms

• 1/2 cup Freeze-Dried Zucchini

• 1/4 cup Freeze-Dried Onions

• 1/4 cup Freeze-Dried Green Bell Peppers

  1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

• 1 can Diced Tomatoes

• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

1. Set Instant Pot to Sauté. Brown ground beef with granulated garlic. Remove beef and set aside.

2. Add water and bouillon to the pot, scraping the bottom well to deglaze.

3. Return beef to the pot. Add pasta and all remaining ingredients. Stir gently.

4. Cook on high for 2 minutes. Quick release and serve.

Remove from heat immediately to avoid overcooking the pasta.

THM Serving Notes

• THM style:

  • E-friendly as written

  • Easy shift to XO-leaning → do not rinse the beef

  • Easy shift to S-leaning → do not rinse the beef, reduce pasta portion and add more zucchini

• Preparedness win:

  • Shelf-stable

  • Water-efficient

  • One-pot

  • Reheats beautifully

Per Serving Macros (6 servings)

• Protein: 34g

• Carbs: 46g

• Fat: 10g

Why Rinse the Beef?

Rinsing cooked ground beef is a simple step that makes a big difference—especially when you're cooking THM E meals with pantry staples.

Here’s why it helps:

• Removes excess fat: Even extra-lean beef releases some fat as it cooks. A quick rinse washes away much of that leftover grease.

• Lowers overall calories: Less fat = fewer calories per serving, without shrinking your portion.

• Keeps protein intact: Rinsing does not remove protein — you still get the same muscle-fueling benefits.

• Improves texture: The finished dish feels lighter and less oily, especially in one-pot meals.

• Supports balanced meals: Helpful when you want a meal that fuels energy without feeling heavy afterward.

How to do it:
After browning the beef, drain it in a colander and briefly rinse with hot water. Let it drain well, then return it to the pot and continue the recipe.

Small step. Big payoff. This is an easy way to make comfort food work harder for your everyday preparedness goals.

Need Freeze-Dried Ingredients for This Recipe?

Stock your pantry with fruits, veggies, proteins, and everyday staples that make THM-style cooking fast, simple, and stress-free.

I hope this Instant Pot Beef Penne Pasta brings a hearty, easy meal to your kitchen today. It’s become a family favorite staple—simple, high-protein, and perfect for THM-style lunches, dinners, or those busy days when the pantry needs to work for you. Debbie

More THM E Recipes

Explore more satisfying Trim Healthy Mama recipes that fit your everyday lifestyle.

👉 See All THM E Recipes

Preparedness Tip

This recipe is a great example of how everyday meals can double as preparedness meals. By using freeze-dried beef, vegetables, and pantry staples, you can make a comforting, high-protein dinner without relying on refrigeration or last-minute grocery trips.

Freeze-dried ingredients store for years, rehydrate quickly, and work especially well in one-pot meals like this one. Keeping a few meals like this in rotation builds confidence in your pantry—and makes busy or disrupted days feel a lot more manageable.

Preparedness doesn’t have to look different. Sometimes it just looks like dinner.

Pantry Staple Tip

Dreamfields Penne is a great option for THM E meals because it’s higher in fiber and works well in one-pot recipes. If you’re stocking your pantry, this is one pasta I keep on hand.

👉 Check current price on Dreamfields Penne (affiliate)

P.S. Need anything Pantry Today–related? You’ll find all my recipes, tools, and links here: pantrytoday.com/links