Robust Instant Pot Marinara Sauce
Experience the rich flavors of homemade marinara with this robust Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners or batch cooking, this sauce is made with ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and a medley of tomatoes, herbs, and spices. The use of an Instant Pot ensures your sauce cooks quickly while still developing deep, satisfying flavors. Serve it over spaghetti, use it as a pizza sauce, or enjoy it as a hearty dipping sauce. This recipe yields 10 hearty servings, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends or meal prepping for the week ahead.
10
Servings
350
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
2 lbs (browned)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Onion
1 (chopped)
Garlic cloves
3-4 (minced)
Crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (canned)
Tomato paste
6 ounces (canned)
Tomato sauce
680 ml (canned)
Dried basil
3 teaspoons (dried)
Parsley flakes
2 teaspoons (dried)
Brown sugar
2 teaspoons (optional)
Sea salt
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Red pepper flakes
1 pinch (optional)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Red wine
1/4 cup (optional)
Fennel seeds
2 teaspoons (crushed (optional))
Parmesan rind
1 chunk (optional)
Instructions
1
Set your Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode and allow it to heat up.
2
Add the olive oil to the pot. Once shimmering, add the ground beef and use a spatula to break it up as it browns.
3
Sauté the ground beef until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
4
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, stirring for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic fragrant.
5
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce, mixing until well combined.
6
Add the dried basil, parsley flakes, brown sugar, sea salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, red wine, and crushed fennel seeds (if using). If desired, drop in a chunk of parmesan rind to enhance the flavor.
7
Lock the lid onto the Instant Pot and ensure the pressure valve is closed.
8
Select 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' and set the timer for 10 minutes on high pressure.
9
Once cooking is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes, then carefully switch to quick release to release any remaining pressure.
10
Open the lid, stir the sauce, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately over your favorite pasta, or cool and store for later use.
Nutrition Information
21g
Fat
15g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Robust Instant Pot Marinara Sauce?
It is a hearty, homemade spaghetti sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs cooked quickly in an Instant Pot.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 10 hearty servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
How much ground beef is required for this sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of ground beef.
What is the pressure cooking time?
The sauce should be pressure cooked for 10 minutes on high pressure.
Should I use a natural or quick pressure release?
You should allow a natural release for 15 minutes, followed by a quick release for any remaining pressure.
Can I make this sauce without red wine?
Yes, the red wine is listed as an optional ingredient.
What is the purpose of the parmesan rind?
Adding a chunk of parmesan rind is optional but recommended to enhance the savory flavor of the sauce.
What type of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes, 6 ounces of tomato paste, and 680 ml of tomato sauce.
Is this marinara sauce spicy?
It contains a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, but this is optional and can be adjusted to taste.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides 25g of protein.
What setting should I use to brown the meat?
Use the 'Sauté' mode on your Instant Pot to brown the ground beef.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
The recipe requires 3 to 4 minced garlic cloves.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
The recipe includes 2 teaspoons of brown sugar as an optional ingredient to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
What dried herbs are included?
The sauce uses dried basil and parsley flakes.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 21g of fat per serving.
Can I use this as a pizza sauce?
Yes, this robust sauce is versatile enough to be used on pizza or as a dipping sauce.
What is the preparation for the fennel seeds?
If using fennel seeds, they should be crushed before being added to the pot.
How many total ingredients are in the recipe?
There are 16 ingredients in total.
How many carbohydrates are per serving?
Each serving contains 15g of carbohydrates.
How long should I sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté them for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Should I drain the fat from the ground beef?
Yes, the instructions recommend draining any excess fat after browning the beef if necessary.
What type of salt is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 2 teaspoons of sea salt, adjusted to your personal taste.
Can I use this for meal prepping?
Yes, this recipe is ideal for batch cooking and meal prepping for the week ahead.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
What is the texture of the onion?
The onion should be chopped into small pieces before cooking.
Is black pepper added to the sauce?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper is included.
How much tomato paste is needed?
You will need one 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
What should I do after the sauce is finished cooking?
Open the lid, stir the sauce, and adjust the seasoning before serving over pasta.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried basil?
The recipe specifically calls for 3 teaspoons of dried basil.