Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce

Name: Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 Italian Sausage links; 1 pound ground beef ((lean)); 1 medium onion ((chopped)); 1 medium green pepper ((chopped)); 5 cloves garlic ((chopped)); 6 medium mushrooms ((chopped)); 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp crushed red pepper ((optional)); 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning; 1 tsp dried oregano; 2 medium tomatoes ((chopped)); 3 ounce tomato paste; ½ cup red wine; 1½ cups water; 24 ounce pasta sauce ((your favorite brand)); 2 tsp brown sugar ((optional, but recommended))

Published: Nov 9, 2019 Updated: Mar 9, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 8 Comments

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Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce that tastes like it's been simmering all day, but it's ready in under 30 minutes! The sauce is loaded with ground beef, Italian sausage, herbs, and plenty of veggies too. Serve this delicious zesty sauce over pasta, mix it in Baked Penne Pasta, or layer it in Lasagna.

Note: I used a Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker to make this Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce.

Why This Recipe Works

OK, so my Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauces isn't exactly from scratch, but it's pretty darn close. I start off by browning ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, green pepper, and garlic.

Next, I add the seasoning, herbs, tomatoes, mushrooms, tomato paste, wine, and water. You may be thinking: "It sounds like it's from scratch to me..."

Here's where I cheat, but just a little. Instead of tomato sauce, I use jarred pasta sauce. Although, adding an equal amount of tomato sauce would work too. However, you might have to adjust the seasoning a bit.

What Goes Into This Recipe

How to Make Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce

STEP 1: Set Instant Pot to "saute" and once hot, add olive oil.

STEP 2: Remove sausage from casing and add to the pot, along with ground beef. Break up with a wooden spoon and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Add chopped onion, green pepper, and garlic. Saute for a few minutes.

STEP 3: Add mushrooms, tomatoes, spices, seasoning, tomato paste, wine, water, and pasta sauce.

STEP 4: Cover and lock the lid. Make sure the valve points to "Seal." Next, select the "Pressure" option and use the up arrow to adjust the time to 15 minutes.

It should only take a few minutes to come up to pressure and begin counting down from 15 minutes.

STEP 5: Once the Instant Pot is done, allow a 10 to 15 minute (NPR) or Natural Pressure Release. Carefully release the remaining pressure. Your Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce is ready to enjoy!

Tip: To avoid splatter, drape a washcloth over the pressure valve before releasing it. This will really cut down on the mess from the splatter...You're welcome! 😉

Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

Can You Freeze Pasta Sauce?

Pasta sauce can easily be frozen. To freeze, follow these simple steps:

• First, allow the sauce to cool completely.
• Next, pour the sauce into gallon-sized freezer Ziploc bags.
• Release all the air from the bag, seal, and freeze.
• Use within 3 months for optimal results.

How long do you cook homemade pasta sauce?

Pasta sauce can be cooked as little as 30 minutes or for as long as all day. When cooked for many hours, the sauce thickens as it reduces. As a result, the flavor is intensified. However, the advantage of using a pressure cooker is that the sealed environment helps to not only lock in all the flavor but also cooks the sauce much faster.

Should You Put Sugar In Spaghetti Sauce?

Yes, I highly recommend adding a small amount of sugar in spaghetti sauce. Brown sugar, to be exact. Just a couple of teaspoons should do.

I'm leaving this an optional ingredient because I realize some people don't like sweet-tasting sauce or are watching their sugar intake. However, even a small amount of sugar helps to balance the flavor and mellow the acidity of the sauce.

To avoid splatter, drape a washcloth over the pressure valve before releasing it. This will really cut down on the mess.
You can freeze the extra sauce in a large plastic Ziploc bag. To get all the air out of the sauce-filled Ziploc bag before sealing it, dip the filled bag into a sink filled with water. The water pressure will displace the air out of the bag. Seal as usual.
Adding a little sugar to your sauce helps to balance the flavor and mellow the acidity of the sauce.
If you are going to mix cheese, such as parmesan, in your sauce, it's best to do so once the sauce is defrosted. Creamy sauce doesn't freeze as well as a sauce made without cheese.

Serving Suggestions

It's always a good idea to make this sauce ahead of time and freeze it or store it in the fridge (for a short time) for those days when you need a quick and delicious meal.

This Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce is delicious when mixed in with spaghetti (surprise)! I use this same sauce in my Extra Easy Lasagna recipe. And don't forget the salad!

spaghetti sauce in a jar with instant pot in the background

If you enjoy making your own homemade sauces, you may want to check out these other delicious sauces: Yogurt Shawarma Sauce, Pasta Cream Cheese Sauce, Homemade Enchilada Sauce, and 5-Ingredient Sriracha Aioli.

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