Instant Pot Homemade Marinara Sauce

Instant Pot Homemade Marinara Sauce is so delicious and easy you may never buy prepared sauce again! Using fresh or canned tomatoes we use the trusty pressure cooker to capture fresh flavors that you just won't get in store bought sauce.

Marinara Sauce Made Easy

Instant Pot Homemade Marinara Sauce makes this typically thought of cumbersome recipe a very easy fix. Like any good southern lady, I love Italian food. For years, I have bought marinara sauce and it always seems to be missing something. Sure, it's easy and convenient, but after some research, I quickly thought I would try my hand at making my own.

I did a ton of research and found all kinds of recipes that called for all day cooking and some done in the crock pot or IP that just seemed to be missing something. A few things I did find were some great tips and tricks that I implemented into this recipe. The cook time is only an hour which is a plus. Also, less is more. For a great sauce, you only need a little seasoning to make it pop. You really want the fresh flavors of the fruit to come through! 

If you use fresh tomatoes, be sure and check out how with our post, BLANCHE FRESH TOMATOES.

How to Store it.

This sauce keeps well for a couple of weeks in jars in the fridge but I like to make batches every so often and freeze in containers to have for later. It makes a wonderful addition to any scratch made recipe repertoire!

So what are we waiting for? Lets show you how to do it!

How to Make Marinara in the Pressure Cooker

~Ingredients~

• 2-3 tablespoons minced or chopped garlic
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2- 28 oz cans of crushed tomatoes
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ cup water
• potato flakes(for thickening, if needed)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1-2 tablespoons parsley
• salt and pepper to taste

~Method~

1. Put the olive oil in the InstantPot and switch on the saute' function. When the oil is hot, add in the onions and garlic. Cook only til tender, paying careful attention not to burn the garlic. Switch the IP to off. Add in the cans of crushed tomatoes, herbs and water.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Close and seal the IP lid and set for 60 minutes.
3. Allow the pressure to release naturally when done and TASTE! *Mine was a bit thin so I added 2 tablespoons of potato flakes to thicken. Doing this does NOT produce any potato taste, it just makes it a velvety consistency that I LOVE! Finish with the 2 tablespoons of butter for a beautiful shine to the sauce.

Note**I have fresh herbs but if you do not, you can use dried, just remember you will need about half of what the recipe calls for. Dried herbs pack more punch. You can also buy small portions of fresh herbs in most produce sections of grocery stores. Keep the extra like flowers in a bud vase with water or tie and hang upside to dry in a cool place inside of a paper bag.

Tips and Tricks

• Dried Herbs vs. Fresh - Fresh is always better but if you can't get them, make sure to cut your portions in half for dried. They are a good bit stronger so you won't need as much!
• Instant Pot or Other brand - I am no stranger to other brands. I have tried a few. Possibly my favorite is the Mealthy Pressure cooker. You can find a link to it below. High quality craftsmanship is important with this appliance and none stand up to Mealthy!
• Potato Flakes - I promise, your marinara won't taste like instant potatoes. Only use them if you need to thicken your sauce. You will know when you get it like you want it!

Once you've conquered this sauce, try your hand at a really great PESTO SAUCE RECIPE! If you make this recipe, be sure and post it to Facebook or Instagram and tag us. We love pictures of food. Also, if you pin this recipe, we would appreciate that when you make it, you use the Made It function in Pinterest too. 

And as always, we would love it if you shared this recipe with your family and friends. Over to the side on this post and all of the others are handy dandy share buttons. We would sure be grateful if you shared the love!

Stuff We Used!