Do you like to make homemade marinara sauce? If so you'll love our Instant Pot Marinara Sauce recipe with spaghetti noodles. With just a few simple ingredients you can whip up a delicious batch of Marinara Sauce in no time.
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Why This Recipe Works
- One-Pot Wonder: This recipe simplifies cleanup by cooking everything in one Instant Pot.
- Rich and Flavorful: The marinara sauce infuses the pasta with robust Italian flavors.
- Fast and Convenient: Whip up a restaurant-quality meal in minutes at home.
If you don't have an Instant Pot then try this recipe for Spicy Marinara Sauce.
📋 Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the garlic, it adds a depth of flavor and helps to release the aromas of the seasonings.
- Salt: A basic seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Fresh Garlic: Brings a punchy, aromatic note to the dish that complements the tomatoes and basil.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that infuses the pasta with classic Italian flavors.
- Spaghetti Noodles: Provide a satisfying bite and absorb the marinara sauce well.
- Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce: Add a tangy sweetness and rich texture.
- Warm Water: Helps to cook the pasta and dilute the sauce to the right consistency.
- Dried or Fresh Basil: Adds a fragrant, earthy note to the marinara sauce. Fresh herbs will give a bolder flavor.
- Water: Used to cook the spaghetti noodles to the perfect al dente texture.
- Crushed Pepper Flakes: Optional for those who like a spicy kick, they add heat and complexity to the marinara sauce.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Remove The Spice: This Instant Pot Marinara sauce recipe has a kick of spice. If you're not into spice then simply leave out the chili pepper flakes and you'll have a delicious and mild marinara sauce that can be enjoyed with any dish.
- Add Sweet Onion: If you want to add some savory, sweetness to your Instant Pot marinara sauce, try sauteing a small chopped onion with the garlic and other ingredients.
- Add Sugar: You can also add a little sugar if you find that the tomatoes are a little tart.
- Add Tomato Paste: Yes, you can add tomato paste and red wine to your Instant Pot marinara sauce recipe for extra depth of flavor. Simply saute the tomato paste with the olive oil before adding in the diced tomatoes, garlic, and herbs and add a splash of wine before pressure cooking.
- Vegetable Broth: For a richer, more savory flavor in your Instant Pot marinara sauce, you can substitute water with vegetable broth.
- Fresh Tomatoes: If you prefer to use fresh tomatoes instead of canned, simply cut 3 pounds of fresh plum tomatoes into small pieces and saute them in the Instant Pot with your other quality ingredients. This will give your marinara sauce an extra burst of freshness and flavor! When cooking with fresh tomatoes I love to use roma tomatoes.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Marinara Sauce With Spaghetti Noodles?
You can make this recipe with or without spaghetti noodles, depending on what you're using it for.
- Step 1: Turn the Instant Pot on and press saute. Add oil. Add canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to your inner pot. Stir to combine. Saute for 5 minutes. Add your spaghetti noodles in half and layer them over the sauce.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups of water to the pot. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Once cooked, perform a quick release of pressure. Stir the spaghetti. The recipe will thicken as it cools. Garnish your finished sauce with Parmesan cheese.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Control Ingredients: Making homemade marinara sauce beats store-bought sauce every time! You get to control the ingredients, which means you can make your marinara sauce as healthy or decadent as you'd like.
- Infuse Herbs: Add depth and freshness to your marinara sauce by incorporating fresh herbs. Towards the end of the cooking process, stir in a handful of chopped fresh basil, oregano, or parsley. The natural oils and flavors from these herbs will infuse into the sauce, providing a burst of aromatic and vibrant taste.
💭 FAQs
Marinara sauce is a classic Italian tomato-based sauce that is typically used in pasta dishes and other recipes. It is made with simple ingredients like tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil and herbs like basil and oregano. Spaghetti sauce on the other hand often contains meat such as ground beef and other vegetables, such as carrots and mushrooms.
When considering marinara sauce versus spaghetti sauce you need to ask what kind of spaghetti dish you want. You may have vegan or meat-loving family members so deciding which sauce to add to your pasta may be determined by preference.
To make Instant Pot marinara sauce without spaghetti noodles, simply omit the pasta from the recipe. You can add cooked meatballs or chicken to the Instant Pot marinara sauce to give it extra flavor and protein. Simply saute your ingredients as usual and follow the same cooking process. Enjoy your Instant Pot marinara sauce.
In this marinara recipe, we use diced tomatoes. Canned tomatoes are great for this sauce as they are easy to store and budget-friendly. If you don’t have any diced tomatoes in stock you can use whole tomatoes and simply pop them into the food processor or blend with a blend stick.
Marinara sauce is naturally thinner than other tomato-based sauces. If you want to thicken up your marinara sauce without adding vegetables or meat you simply need to cook it for a little longer and the sauce will thicken a little more.
If you prefer to can your marinara sauce rather than freeze it, the process is fairly simple. To can marinara sauce, start by gathering all your ingredients and utensils and make sure that everything has been properly sanitized. Then, heat a pot of water and place the jars into the water. Cook the jars and lids in the simmering water for 10 minutes to sterilize them.
Next, fill your jars with your marinara sauce, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top. Wipe down the rims of the jars, apply the lids and bands, and process them in a hot water bath for 45 minutes. Let the jars cool completely before storing them in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Whether you’re looking for a simple and classic marinara sauce or something a little more adventurous, there are endless ways to enjoy this delicious Italian staple!
Marinara sauce is often used as pizza sauce, as it is slightly thinner than traditional pizza sauce and has a different flavor profile.
Store marinara sauce in an airtight container to prevent air and moisture from affecting its quality. Use a container made of glass or plastic that is suitable for freezing. If you want to extend the shelf life of the marinara sauce, consider freezing it. Pour the sauce into the airtight container, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion as it freezes. Seal the container tightly and label it with the date for easy identification.
Marinara Sauce can be used in the following dishes:
Creamy Tomato Soup
Meatballs in Marinara
Ratatouille
Minestrone
Shakshuka
Pizza
Fish Parmigiana
Serving Suggestions
Here are some great sides to serve with Spaghetti and Marinara Sauce.
- Garlic Breadsticks: Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside – perfect for dipping into that rich marinara sauce.
- Caprese Salad: Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze, a refreshing contrast to the pasta.
- Parmesan Roasted Vegetables: Oven-roasted veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, sprinkled with Parmesan for extra flavor.
- Lemon Garlic Asparagus: Bright and zesty asparagus spears, pan-seared with garlic and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- Herb-infused Couscous: Fluffy couscous tossed with fresh herbs like parsley and basil, a light and fluffy side for your hearty pasta dish.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Marinara Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Fresh Garlic Minced
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 12 oz. Spaghetti Noodles
- 2 Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Can Tomato Sauce
- 3 Cups Warm Water
- 2 tablespoons Basil Fresh herbs are the best
- 4 Cups Water
- 1 teaspoon Crushed Pepper Flakes Optional for a spicy kick
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot on and press saute. Add oil
- Add canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to your inner pot. Stir to combine.
- Saute for 5 minutes.
- Add your spaghetti noodles in half and layer them over the sauce. Add your 4 cups of water to the InstantPot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set your pressure cooker to sealing. Pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- When cooking is complete, hit cancel and do a quick release on the Instant Pot. Stir the spaghetti. The recipe will thicken as it cools.
- Garnish your finished sauce with parmesan cheese. Serve with a baguette or slice of crusty bread.
Notes
- Control Ingredients: Making homemade marinara sauce beats store-bought sauce every time! You get to control the ingredients, which means you can make your marinara sauce as healthy or decadent as you'd like.
- Infuse Herbs: Add depth and freshness to your marinara sauce by incorporating fresh herbs. Towards the end of the cooking process, stir in a handful of chopped fresh basil, oregano, or parsley. The natural oils and flavors from these herbs will infuse into the sauce, providing a burst of aromatic and vibrant taste.
Nutrition
Here are some great Instant Pot recipes packed with flavor and ready to be put to the test!
Angela, I am excited to try your Instant Pot Spicy Marinara Sauce. Can you please let me let me what the can sizes are for the Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce? We have a lot of different sizes for both.
Thank you.
thew cans are 400g each and the tomato sauce 200g