Instant Pot Pumpkin Chili (gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole30)

This is one of our go-to meals now! We absolutely love it, and while you could make this in a crock pot, I love how intense the flavor is in the instant pot, and in such a short amount of time. This also makes a great freezer meal! This recipe is for a double batch, so if you have two IPs, you can split it and make it all at once, or you can put half in a bowl to make later, or freeze, or make the second batch right after the first, or however you like. We’ve done a variety of different things, depending on how much food we need, and if we need a freezer meal. =)

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef and/or ground turkey (we’ve done one or the other, or mixed the two. Our favorite is mixed)

2 orange sweet bell peppers, diced

2 red sweet bell peppers, diced

2 sweet onions, diced

1/8 cup minced garlic

1 7 oz can green chiles

2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes (be sure to check ingredients to ensure Whole30 compliance if on Whole30)

1 30 oz can pumpkin purée 

2 Tbsp cumin

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

4 tsp chili powder

2 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp cinnamon

2 tsp smoked paprika

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

Small amount ghee/clarified butter

6 Tbsp tapioca flour

Directions:

1. Sauté onions, garlic, chiles, and bell peppers in ghee (or olive oil). You can use the IP, and then set these aside when done, or just use a separate skillet. 


2. Set IP on sauté (or use skillet) and brown meat. 

3. Place all ingredients (only half in each IP) in IP and stir.

4. Cook on manual setting for 10 minutes and let naturally release. 

5. Mix tapioca flour in small amount cold water (only half per batch)

6. Add tapioca mixture to cooked batch, and stir. Chili will thicken. 

We like ours over some mashed baked potatoes =D

Absolutely delish!! 

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Like I said, I usually cook 2 batches, and freeze one in containers that can easily be thawed and reheated for meals later. It’s absolutely a lifesaver, AND it’s a healthy freezer meal! =D

Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole (gluten free, dairy free, Whole30)

We really love this dish! It takes a fair amount of time, unless you use 2 instant pots, or have the SS and/or chicken pre-cooked, but the actual involved time is hardly anything. It also reheats well, so it’s a great thing to make in a big batch and have for lunch the next day as well.

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash

1 onion, diced

1 cup diced carrots

2 Tbsp olive oil

2-3 chicken breasts, thawed 

1 cup Frank’s buffalo hot sauce

1/2 cup ranch (Recipe for Whole30/gluten free/dairy free ranch here)

1 Tbsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

5 eggs

Directions:

1. Place whole spaghetti squash in instant pot with 1 cup water, and cook on manual for 20 minutes.

2. Quick release pressure when finished, remove spaghetti squash and let cool.

3. Place thawed chicken in instant pot with 1 cup water or broth, and cook on manual for 15 minutes, then let naturally release. Shred in mixer (have you ever done this?? It’s amazing! I just dump the cooked breasts in my mixer and turn on low, and I have perfectly shredded chicken in less than 2 minutes!).



4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

5. Sauté onions and carrots in olive oil.

6. Use a fork to shred the cooled spaghetti squash into a bowl after removing seeds. 

7. Add chicken, hot sauce, ranch, seasonings, and eggs. Mix well. 

8. Place in baking dish, and bake for 30-35 minutes. 

Serve with extra ranch if desired! 

=D Enjoy!