Instant-Pot Tomato Sauce

Quick and easy Instant-Pot Tomato Sauce has simmered-all-day flavor, but only needs 20 minutes. Versatile, delicious, and so simple to make!

Besides flour, good olive oil, and sea salt, tomato sauce is one of those pantry staples you should always have on hand. Not just one jar, but several—ready to come to the rescue when you need to whip up a quick and delicious meal. And trust me, I’m not just saying this because my Italian grandmother told me so! With a jar of tomato sauce at the ready, you can create anything from a simple pasta dish or a pizza to an effortless casserole.

But what if I told you that you could save money by making your own tomato sauce in the Instant Pot? That’s right—you’re just a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes away from a thick, hearty sauce that will make store-bought versions pale in comparison and have you triumphantly exclaiming: “Mamma mia!”

Is This Instant-Pot Tomato Sauce Healthy?

You better believe it is! Besides being low in calories and fat, tomato sauce is packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant released from tomatoes when cooked. It’s also a source of vitamins C, A, and K. This recipe calls for salt, but you can also omit it or replace it with a splash of good-quality balsamic vinegar.

Canning Tomato Sauce

Why not multiply this recipe and can the tomato sauce? Canning your own tomato sauce can be incredibly rewarding and fairly easy, as long as you follow a few simple steps to ensure proper sterilization and preservation. While your sauce is cooking, you’ll need to prepare your mason jars and lids. Start by placing a canning rack in a large pan and arranging the jars on the rack. Place the lids in a separate large bowl. Fill the pan with cold water, then bring it to a boil and let the jars cook for 3 minutes to prep them for sterilization. Using canning tongs, carefully remove the jars and place them open-side up on a clean kitchen towel.

Next, pour some of the hot water over the lids. To ensure safe acidity levels for long-term preservation, add a few drops of (bottled) lemon juice to each jar. Using a funnel, carefully ladle the sauce into the jars, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. Screw on the lids. Place the jars back into the pan, ensuring they’re covered by the water, and bring it to a boil again. Process the jars for 35 minutes. Afterward, turn off the heat and let the jars rest in the pan for five minutes with the lid off before removing them. Once fully cooled, check that the lids have sealed properly, and store your canned tomato sauce for up to a year.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to using this Instant-Pot Tomato Sauce, the possibilities are endless. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a traditional spaghetti and meatballs dinner. Make these succulent Meatballs In The Oven, and if you don’t eat meat, try these delicious Vegan Chickpea Meatballs. Tomato sauce is also great served over this Stuffed Meatloaf or this Easy Low-Carb Paleo Meatloaf (leave out the sauce in both recipes).

You can also use this homemade fresh tomato sauce instead of canned sauce to make this Instant-Pot Hamburger Helper! 

Recipe