Quick & Flavorful Pressure Cooker Marinara Sauce
Indulge in the homemade taste of this Quick & Flavorful Pressure Cooker Marinara Sauce, perfect for pasta, pizza, or any dish that craves a rich tomato base. This recipe combines the natural sweetness of plum tomatoes with aromatic herbs and spices, delivering a sauce full of flavor in just 30 minutes. The pressure cooker keeps the ingredients tender and well combined, making it an effortless option for weeknight dinners or meal prepping. Enjoy it over your favorite pasta, spread it on pizza, or use it as a base for countless recipes.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Crushed Plum Tomatoes
28 ounces (canned)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Garlic Cloves
4 medium (minced)
Shallot or Onion
1 small (chopped)
Dried Basil
1 teaspoon (or 3 tablespoons fresh basil)
Oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Thyme
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Red Pepper Flakes
to taste (optional)
Black Pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Sea Salt
to taste (to season)
Carrot
1 medium (cut into large chunks or minced)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by heating your pressure cooker on medium heat and adding the extra virgin olive oil.
2
2. While the oil heats, finely chop the shallot (or onion) and garlic cloves. Add them to the hot oil and sauté for about one minute, taking care not to brown them.
3
3. Stir in the dried basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to the mixture, allowing the spices to bloom for another minute.
4
4. Add the carrot in large chunks (or finely minced, depending on preference) to the pot for sweetness.
5
5. Pour in the canned crushed plum tomatoes and add about 1/4 can of water to achieve the desired consistency. Stir everything together.
6
6. Close the lid of the pressure cooker, bring it to pressure, and then lower the heat to maintain a gentle pressure. Cook for 30 minutes.
7
7. Once the cooking time is up, either allow the pressure to release naturally or use the quick-release method carefully.
8
8. Open the lid, taste the sauce, and adjust seasoning with sea salt and a pinch of sugar if desired. Optionally, stir in an additional drizzle of olive oil for richness.
9
9. Remove the carrot if you prefer, or leave it in for added flavor. Enjoy your Marinara sauce over pasta, on pizza, or as a component in other dishes!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook the pressure cooker marinara sauce?
The sauce takes 30 minutes to cook once the pressure cooker has reached the appropriate pressure level.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
What type of tomatoes are best for this marinara sauce?
The recipe calls for 28 ounces of canned crushed plum tomatoes for the best consistency and flavor.
Why is there a carrot in the ingredient list?
A medium carrot is added to provide natural sweetness to the sauce, helping to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Can I use onion if I don't have shallots?
Yes, you can use one small chopped onion as a substitute for the shallot.
Is this marinara sauce recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian and vegan-friendly as it contains only plant-based ingredients.
Can I use fresh basil instead of dried?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried basil with 3 tablespoons of fresh basil.
Do I need to add water to the pressure cooker?
Yes, adding about 1/4 can of water helps achieve the desired consistency and prevents the sauce from being too thick for the pressure cooker.
What is the best way to release pressure after cooking?
You can either allow the pressure to release naturally or use the quick-release method carefully.
Should I brown the garlic and shallots?
No, you should sauté them for about one minute until fragrant, taking care not to brown them as burnt garlic can taste bitter.
Can I use this sauce for pizza?
Absolutely, this flavorful sauce works perfectly as a base for pizza.
What spices are used in this marinara?
The recipe uses dried basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper.
How can I make the sauce richer?
You can stir in an additional drizzle of extra virgin olive oil after the cooking is complete for added richness.
Do I leave the carrot in the sauce when serving?
It is optional; you can remove the large carrot chunks after cooking or leave them in if they were finely minced.
Is the sauce spicy?
The spice level depends on the amount of red pepper flakes you choose to add; they are optional and should be added to taste.
What type of oil should I use for sautéing?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its flavor and quality.
Can I add sugar to the sauce?
Yes, after cooking, you can add a pinch of sugar if you feel the sauce needs more balance against the tomato acidity.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 medium minced garlic cloves.
Is this sauce suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, its quick 30-minute cook time and versatility make it an excellent option for meal prepping.
What does 'blooming' the spices mean?
Blooming involves heating the dried herbs and spices in oil for about a minute to release their essential oils and enhance their flavor.
Can I use sea salt?
Yes, sea salt is used to season the sauce to your personal preference at the end of the cooking process.
Is this a quick recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick recipe because the pressure cooker significantly speeds up the development of a rich flavor profile.
What category does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is categorized under Sauces.
Is there meat in this marinara?
No, this is a meatless sauce, making it perfect for vegetarian dishes.
Can I use this for pasta dishes?
Yes, it is designed to be enjoyed over your favorite pasta.
What is the primary flavor profile?
The sauce is rich and flavorful, featuring sweet tomatoes, aromatic garlic and shallots, and traditional Italian herbs.
How do I prepare the shallot?
The shallot should be finely chopped before being added to the hot oil.
Should the heat be high during pressure cooking?
Once the cooker reaches pressure, you should lower the heat to maintain a gentle, steady pressure.
What consistency should the sauce have?
It should be a rich, well-combined tomato base, which you can adjust by controlling the amount of water added.
Is it easy to make?
Yes, the use of a pressure cooker makes this an effortless option for both weeknight dinners and more complex meals.