It’s been a few weeks with my instant pot now and to be honest, I’m not sure how I lived without it. I just made an easy Paleo and Whole30 instant pot spaghetti sauce recipe for my first week of doing a budget Whole30. Not only was it way less labor intensive than standing over a stovetop but it was also way quicker than putting it in the slow cooker! Win-win for me!
So far I’ve just been messing around with the instant pot mostly and trying to get a feel for how it works. Like I’ve mentioned in one of my other posts, it’s got about 429 functions and looks like a mini spaceship. There’s nothing fancy or innovative about this instant pot spaghetti sauce recipe, but it is good enough to share!
The ingredients are all inexpensive and it makes a huge batch. Both of those factors making it perfect for doing a Whole30 on the cheap. Tons of meals without tons of cost. YUP.
One important thing to remember about recipes is that you don’t need to follow them word for word. If you don’t have canned tomato sauce, fine! Use marinara to make it easier if you have that in the pantry. Don’t like that much onions? No problem. Adjust accordingly. Your husband LOVES garlic? Sweet, add more! Do what works for you, your meal prep and family.
I prepped spaghetti squash to eat with the instant pot spaghetti sauce. Well, I didn’t really do anything except take the already prepped squash out of the freezer. But it was still work okay?! 😉
YES, you CAN freeze spaghetti squash. Mind blowing, right?
You could also have this with zucchini or butternut squash noodles. Butternut squash noodles are probably my favorite. Or try it over sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes are another really easy way to make this a simple meal prep. Just wrap your already-baked potatoes in tinfoil, refrigerate and pop one in the microwave with your individually portioned spaghetti sauce.
Wondering how to get zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash noodles to not leave your plate full of water? Use a nut milk bag to gently squeeze the water out prior to serving! This is the dishwasher safe nut milk bag I use. It’s a game changer, I promise.
Because I’m only prepping for one person, I only used a pound of ground beef. Just double the recipe if you want more. I’ve done this sauce plenty of times before with 2 pounds and frozen half. I’ve also done 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of bison! All make for a delicious sauce, just depends on the quantity you want!
Check out a similar slow cooker version of this sauce!
PrintWhole30 Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can diced tomatoes (with liquid)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (with liquid)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 long carrot, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil (or substitute the oregano and basil for 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning blend)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In sauté mode, brown ground beef in the instant pot
- After about 10 minutes when beef is mostly cooked, remove and drain liquid
- Set ground beef aside
- Add olive oil to the instant pot
- Place carrots in the bottom, still in sauté mode
- Once carrots have begun to soften, about 4 minutes, add in garlic, onions and celery
- Continue sautéing another 3 minutes
- Note: the veggies will not be all the way cooked at this point, but they will once they’re done with the pressure cooking
- Add the ground beef back into the instant pot along with the spices and tomato paste and mix in with the veggies
- Cover mixture with 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1 can of crushed tomatoes and don’t stir
- Place the top on the instant pot and cook for 15 minutes on “high pressure” mode, ensuring the release knob is closed
- Once it’s done cooking, turn the knob and let all the steam out before removing cover for quick release
- If your sauce looks runny, that’s okay! Select sauté mode and the excess water will begin to evaporate
- The sauce should be reduced and thickened quickly
- Taste and season with more salt and pepper per taste
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
I meal prep this into 4 individual servings. This recipe is easily doubled and freezes well.
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Deborah Harrell says
I tried this recipe but subbed tomato paste for the crushed tomatoes and added 1 cup of water because that is what I had on hand and made meatballs. This sauce is amazing! Only problem is I get the burn error in the instant pot. Thank goodness it wasn’t burned. Next time I’ll use slow cook on the instant pot.
Meagan says
This is our go to spaghetti sauce recipe. We always have these ingredients on hand. I double the batch and freeze half. Its so easy and tastes amazing every time!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you love it!! Thank you so much!
Shari says
Another hit with me! Brought some to my niece and she too liked it. I have made it several times.
paleobailey says
I’m so glad!! Thank you so much!
Lindsay Syrell says
This looks yummy and easy! Just wondering – for the cans of tomatoes, what size did you use? I usually have 14.5 oz and 28 oz cans in my pantry. ????
paleobailey says
They were 14.5oz cans! Thank you for pointing that out – I’ll get it changed in the recipe 🙂
Kathy Lipin says
Hearty, well-seasoned spaghetti sauce. I used ground turkey, and browned it in olive oil. Well-loved by ages 4-70.
paleobailey says
Thank you, Kathy!! So glad you all enjoyed it!! 🙂
CougarGirl says
It would be helpful to know what size cans of tomatoes and sauce. 15 oz., 28 oz,???
Thanks.
paleobailey says
The diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes were the standard 13.5 oz cans! Sorry I didn’t include that – Thanks for the reminder 🙂