Name: Instant Pot Tomato Sauce (Using Fresh or Canned Tomatoes)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 bay leaves; 2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3 cup diced tomatoes; 6 oz can tomato paste; 1 tsp italian seasoning; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 cup fresh basil, diced (or 1 1/2 tbsp dried basil); 5 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)

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Homemade Freezer Tomato Sauce

Mmmmmm…tomato sauce. Homemade instant pot tomato sauce is so crazy easy! Spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, veggies, pasta, spaghetti squash, sooo many possibilities.

This is a super easy instant pot tomato sauce you can freeze or use fresh anytime!

Journeying toward less processed foods, more organic living and all on a budget means more homemade items. But it doesn’t have to mean home cooking every-night. No ones got time for that!

Plus who doesn’t love a quick spaghetti dinner?

How about a quick spaghetti dinner with homemade instant pot tomato sauce?

This tomato sauce is so easy, fast to make and freezes really well. Make a big batch and then freeze so you have as many easy dinner nights as you like.

So when pasta night arrives whip out that fresh pasta sauce you made and sit down to proudly enjoy!

Why you will love this Instant Pot Fresh Tomato Sauce.

Minutes to Prep

Super Easy
Extremely Tasty
Healthy (Soy Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Preservative Free)

Family Friendly

Instant Pot Tomato Sauce | Instant Pot Fresh Tomato Sauce | Pressure Cooker Tomato Sauce | Instant Pot Tomato Sauce with canned tomatoes | Instant pot tomato sauce with meat

Is Instant Pot Tomato Sauce healthy?

Yes! This recipe uses all natural ingredients! Often times pre-made tomato sauces have a-lot of preservatives and fillers. (It does sit on the shelf for months at a time).
But what if making tomato sauce didn’t take hours and hour of simmering….GUESS WHAT!
Its doesn’t have to. Try this recipe in the instant pot, slow cooker, crockpot or on the stove top!
Whichever way you love to cook, you can use this recipe!

Ingredients you will need for this Instant Pot Tomato Sauce.

bay leaves
salt
pepper
diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
tomato paste
Italian seasoning
yellow onion
olive oil
fresh basil (or dried basil)
cloves garlic
Raw Honey (Optional, add for extra sweetness if you like a sweet sauce)

What is raw honey? Is it different from regular honey?

Raw honey comes straight from the honey comb. It is cleaned of any bits of comb but does not undergo a pasteurization process which leaves it a bit cloudy because this is honey in its pure natural form.
Regular honey undergoes a pasteurization process making it pure and very consistent in it coloring. It also does not solidify.
The pasteurization process may decrease the health benefits that raw honey has to offer by lowering the number of antioxidants and nutrients in the honey. You may use raw or regular honey but because of the health benefits I always recommend using raw honey.

Why is Tomato sauce good for you?

Tomatoes contain a cancer fighting red pigment called Lycopene. Plus when cooked tomatoes provide 4x more lycopene than raw tomatoes. So they are even better for you when cooked.

Life Hack: Grow homemade fresh tomatoes from the tomatoes and their seeds you already have at home!

If you want to know more about growing tomatoes and using the fresh tomatoes for your homemade sauce then check this garden blog out.

How to make this fresh basil tomato sauce recipe in the slow cooker?

Just throw everything into a slow cooker and let it cook for you. No mess, no fuss and a delicious home-cooked dinner!

Can I add meat to this tomato sauce?

Ground beef or ground turkey will work really well in this recipe. Just saute before adding to the rest of the ingredients and enjoy your homemade meat sauce.

What to serve with this instant pot fresh tomato sauce recipe?

There are so many great ways to use homemade tomato sauce!

This marinara style sauce is great on
Pizza
Chicken
Pasta
Veggies
As a dip
And so much more!

How to store this tomato sauce.

After cooking store in fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. You can also freeze the sauce especially if you make a big batch for up to 3-4 months. I like to store my pasta sauce in glass containers, enough in each for a family dinner.

Having fresh sauce arounds makes for a quick last minute spaghetti night anytime PLUS its a healthy clean sauce!

Do I need a slow cooker for this recipe?

You can use a slow cooker or crock pot for this recipe. It is designed to be fast and easy so you do not have to take the time to cook all night.

Can I use an instant pot?

Of course! Follow the directions in the recipe above for a variety of cook methods. This pressure cooker tomato sauce is amazing and can be made so quickly! If you are tight on time or a last minute cook then throw everything in the instant post and adjust cook time. For slow cooker to instant pot conversion times click here to get a simple instant pot cheat sheet. You will never have to guess or research an instant pot cook time again!

How do you make this Recipe? 👇

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5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Tomato Sauce (Using Fresh or Canned Tomatoes)

This recipe can be made whichever way you love! Make it in a dutch oven on the stovetop, instant pot, or in a slow cooker/crock pot. Whichever way you want to make tomato sauce this recipe is for you!

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Total Time35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Instant Pot Fresh Tomato Sauce, Instant Pot Tomato Sauce, Pressure Cooker Tomato Sauce

Servings: 12

Calories: 119kcal

Author: Hannah Stewart

Ingredients

2 bay leaves
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

3 cup diced tomatoes
6 oz can tomato paste
1 tsp italian seasoning

1 small yellow onion, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh basil, diced (or 1 1/2 tbsp dried basil)

5 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)

Instructions

Instant Pot Tomato Sauce Directions:

Add your olive oil to base of instant pot first.
Add all iremaining ingredients into the instant pot. (If using fresh tomatoes add an additional 1 cup water so your tomatoes do not burn)

Secure instant pot lid and be sure the steam release valve is sealed.
Pressure cook on high pressure for 20 minutes (the instant pot will take some time to come to pressure)
Natural pressure release for 10 minutes then release your steam value to vent out all remaining pressure.

Stir and add salt and pepper to taste if any extra is needed.
Optional: Use an immertion blender, high speed blender, or food processor to blend half or all of the sauce depending on how chuncky you like your sauce.

Stovetop Directions:

Heat olive oil in skillet on stovetop

Add diced onion and sauté 3-5 minutes (Or until softened)
Add in all the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes. (If you like a thicker sauce you can simmer longer until you reach desired consistency)
Serve over pasta, veggies, or whatever you're enjoying for dinner! Freeze sauce in airtight containers for up to three months. (Be sure to let sauce cool before you store it)

Slow Cooker/Crock Pot Directions:

Add all ingredeints into slow cooker.
Cook on low 2-4 hours or high 1-2 hours. (If you need to let it simmer longer you will get more and more flavor the longer it simmers on low)
Stir and serve! You can also freeze once cooled for 3-4 months.

Are we friends yet? 👇

How do I thaw frozen tomato sauce?

You can thaw the tomato sauce by letting it sit in the fridge overnight. Or set in warm water. Or you can thaw in the microwave on a defrost setting.

How to customize your pasta sauce.

There are so many different ways to customize your tomato sauce and make it your own. Try…
Use chicken
Beef
Ground turkey
Green peppers
Onions
Other veggies you love!
Occasionally we love making instant pot tomato sauce with meat. It’s also so good to make homemade instant pot tomato sauce with canned tomatoes. You can get amazing flavor so why not use a beloved canned tomato flavor to give your sauce some extra somethin somethin!

What I want in a homemade sauce!

Lots of flavor
Easy pantry ingredients
Not too much work
Freezable
Options to make in big batches
Fast to prep…
…Faster to make!

How many calories are in a serving?

A serving size assumes 1/2 cup of tomato sauce at 119 kcal per serving.

Can I use this recipe in my instant pot?

Absolutely. This instant pot tomato sauce is super fast and easy!
If you’re interested in an instant pot cheat sheet for cook times click here!
Pressure cooker tomato sauce will make your life so easy and you will never go back to pre-made canned.

How do you thicken up tomato sauce?

Add in 1-2 tbsp tapioca starch mixed with 1-2 tbsp water to make a slurry and then add to the tomato sauce and cook on low in slow cooker for an additional 30 minutes to thicken sauce. (you can also use cornstarch or arrowroot powder if that’s what you have on hand)d.

How can I use homemade tomato sauce?

Tomato sauce is for so much more then spaghetti! This marinara inspired homemade tomato sauce is great on all kinds of things!
I love to use it on a gluten free pasta and even mix it with some pesto or Alfredo sauce for a special pasta night!
You could even top veggies with it and broil some cheese on top.
Its great for pizza night as your base or a dip for pizza meatballs.
Or even better dip mozzarella sticks!! SO many amazing and creative ideas out there!
Best part it this sauce is a clean recipe and you don’t have to feel guilty for eating it night after night after night 🥰

Canned or Fresh Tomatoes?!

Pasta sauce with fresh tomatoes is amazing. Especially if they are from your garden or the beautiful country of Italy!
But I don’t find a ton of different when I use tomatoes from the grocery store and canned tomatoes. I love getting the best flavor possible from my food and if it was worth it I would put in extra effort.
My vote though it that canned tomatoes will deliver you an AMAZING tomato sauce with almost NO EFFORT! In my book canned tomatoes win!

Crockpot/Slow Cooker Cooking Directions

Throw everything in and let it cook for 2-4 hours on low. If you have the time you can let it simmer for longer. The longer it simmers the better the sauce.
If you are short on time try the instant pot tomato sauce instructions or cook it in the slow cooker on high for 1-2 hours.

Stovetop Cooking

I love using a dutch oven when I make this on the stovetop. If I have time to feel like an amazing Italian grandma then I might make a good homemade tomato sauce on the stovetop.
Letting it simmer on low all day gives me all the feels, smells amazing and tastes even better!

FREE Printable Meal Planner to help you get started today. 👇

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4 Comments

Megan says:

August 7, 2021 at 3:48 pm

Sounds yummy

1. Hannah Stewart says:
  
  August 8, 2021 at 8:46 am
  
  It’s so good! <3
  
Carol B says:

September 14, 2021 at 2:42 pm

Very tasty! Thanks for the recipe!

1. Hannah Stewart says:
  
  September 20, 2021 at 11:50 am
  
  Thanks so much! I am so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

Homemade Freezer Tomato Sauce

Homemade Freezer Tomato Sauce

This is a super easy instant pot tomato sauce you can freeze or use fresh anytime!

How about a quick spaghetti dinner with homemade instant pot tomato sauce?

Why you will love this Instant Pot Fresh Tomato Sauce.

How to store this tomato sauce.

Do I need a slow cooker for this recipe?

Can I use an instant pot?

How do you make this Recipe? 👇