This Instant Pot Pasta Sauce recipe is an easy rich meaty sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours!

This is the perfect sauce to top a plate of spaghetti, toss with tortellini, or use as a meat sauce for our fave lasagna recipe.

close up of Instant Pot Pasta Sauce in a bowl with a spoon

An Easy Instant Pot Sauce

  • Everything (including the meat) cooks in one pot for less dishes.
  • Rich and zesty, this tastes like it has been cooking all day but it’s ready in about an hour (including prep)!
  • This recipe can be doubled and frozen for later meals.
  • Perfect over pasta, spread on pizza dough, or added to lasagna.

ingredients to make Instant Pot Pasta Sauce

Ingredients for Instant Pot Pasta Sauce

MEAT: We like lean ground beef in this recipe so there isn’t lots of fat to drain. If you use regular ground beef (or even sausage) drain the fat after cooking.

VEGGIES: Canned tomatoes make this easy and have the perfect consistency. We love the consistency that whole tomatoes (instead of diced) add to the sauce.

Stir in extra veggies to use them up or to stretch the sauce. Zucchini, extra peppers or mushrooms, or even shredded carrot are all great.

SEASONINGS:  Onion and garlic are cooked into the base of this sauce. A spoonful of Italian seasoning is all you need.

process of adding ingredients to pot to make Instant Pot Pasta Sauce

How to Make Instant Pot Pasta Sauce

  1. Sauté onion & ground beef in the Instant Pot.
  2. Add remaining ingredients.
  3. Seal the lid & cook on manual high. Let it naturally release.
  4. Stir & adjust seasonings before serving. (As per recipe below)

cooked Instant Pot Pasta Sauce in the instant pot with a paddle

What to Serve With

Serve pasta sauce over any kind of pasta. Penne and thick spaghetti, like bucatini, are preferred because the sauce clings better to heavier pasta.

Pasta pairs perfectly with a bright, tangy garden salad or a Caesar salad. Add a side of Garlic Roasted Broccolini, some Homemade Garlic Bread for dipping, and a decadent Easy Tiramisu Recipe for dessert!

Instant Pot Pasta Sauce on spaghetti

Storing Sauce

Once pasta sauce is cooled, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Or freeze in quart-sized bags with the date written on the outside for up to 6 weeks. Reheat in a saucepan.

Tasty Tomato Sauces

Did your family love this Instant Pot Pasta Sauce? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

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Instant Pot Pasta Sauce on spaghetti
5 from 9 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Instant Pot Pasta Sauce

Loaded with fresh veggies, ground beef, & seasonings, this Instant Pot Pasta Sauce is hearty and oh-so-flavorful!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Natural Release 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 ounces canned whole tomatoes 1 can
  • 26 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 4 ounces mushrooms sliced
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning

Instructions 

  • Put Instant Pot on sautee and brown beef, onion, and garlic until no pink remains. Drain fat if needed.
  • Add in remaining ingredients and cook on manual high for 12 minutes.
  • Once done, naturally release the instant pot for 15 minutes.

Notes

Lean ground beef can be replaced with sausage (or some sausage). Drain fat if needed. Ground turkey or chicken work in this recipe too. 
Extra vegetables can be added. Keep in mind vegetables contain a lot of water and the sauce may need to be thickened a little bit.
Layer the tomatoes on top of the beef to avoid getting a 'burn' notification.
To thicken the sauce once cooked, turn the Instant Pot onto saute and cook uncovered until thickened.
5 from 9 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 178 | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 748mg | Potassium: 983mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1096IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Pasta, Sauce
Cuisine American
plated spaghetti with Instant Pot Pasta Sauce and writing
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Instant Pot Pasta Sauce on pasta with a title
Instant Pot Pasta Sauce in a bowl and on pasta with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

    1. Hi Jana, I have not tried doubling this recipe in a 6 qt. It might be a tight fit but it should work. We would love to hear how it turns out for you!