Instant Pot Marinara Recipe | The Gracious Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Can I put honey in my spaghetti sauce? ›

A teaspoon (or two) of raw honey in the sauce mellows the acidity. Raw honey is important as, although some of the goodness will be removed by heating, it gives a depth of flavour without cloying sweetness. Commercial pasteurised honey is like using corn syrup.

Add richness. A jarred sauce can sometimes lean a bit acidic, so the way to balance that is with richness. A glug of a good quality extra virgin olive oil, a splash of cream or half and half, a dollop of ricotta or mascarpone, or even a few pats of butter stirred in can smooth those rough edges.

Punch things up with a pinch of chili flakes

Arrabbiata, puttanesca, and many other classic Italian tomato sauces call for a pinch of chili flakes to give them some fiery heat. The spicy addition is a great way to wake up the flavors of a jarred sauce as well.

How do you reheat spaghetti sauce in the instant pot? Reheating spaghetti sauce in the instant pot is easy to do! Simply pour the sauce into the instant pot and press the sautte button. Stir until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Adding extra sugar to any dish may seem like an American thing, but according to Michael Chiarello, chef and owner of Bottega Restaurant, it's customary practice in southern Italian cuisine.

An especially effective option with a low risk is tomato paste. Brown a tablespoon or so in olive oil in your pot or skillet before adding the sauce to simmer or reheat. Anchovies, or anchovy paste, are another umami-rich ingredient, so try cooking a few minced fillets or a teaspoon or so of paste into the sauce.

Rao's Homemade® quickly became the world's leading brand of premium pasta sauce and for good reason: Rao's sauces are simmered slowly and made in small batches with only the best ingredients, like pure Italian olive oil and hand-picked, naturally ripened tomatoes from southern Italy.

If your marinara sauce is store bought, pour contents into a sauce pot and heat it up slowly. When it starts to bubble, that's when you can add extra garlic, chili peppers and even cayenne pepper. Then add about a tsp of sugar or honey to reduce the acidic taste of the sauce.

Spice it up

If you're using a plain tomato (marinara) sauce, stir in seasonings to add extra flavor. Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options.

Everything tastes better with some sautéed garlic and onions. Sauté finely chopped onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant and golden, then add the sauce and let it simmer so the flavors can meld together.

Why is my homemade marinara sauce bitter? ›

Leaf states that this can be due to burning the sauce in the pot or simply dealing with a batch of produce that are overly acidic or metallic from canning or cooking. This can also come from under-ripe or low-quality tomatoes, as well as stirring in a hefty amount of tomato paste, per Boss The Kitchen.

Instant Pot Recipe contains dense or starchy ingredients

These ingredients are not thin enough to build steam and some contain fillers like cornstarch, flour, or cheese which tend to scorch. Starches such as rice and pasta, and dairy products like cheese and heavy cream can also cause the Instant Pot to say food burn.

First, do a quick examination. "Open the lid and make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom of the pot and that you have sufficient liquid," says Lai. If you see food browning or stuck to the bottom of the pot, or if there is little to no liquid in the pot, then add some liquid — often about a half a cup will suffice.

Sweetener: Spaghetti sauce needs a bit of sugar of some sort to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes. You can sweeten the sauce with a bit of honey, or white or brown sugar.

Fruit and carrots are a very natural way to add mild sweetness, and carrots are my personal favorite for this. Peel them, dice or grate them and add them to your sauce. They can be pureed or left chunky. Fresh pears, dried apricots, currants or raisins can also be used the same way.

Honey will enrich and add subtle flavour to dishes such as casseroles, sauces and dressings. Honey can be used as a natural substitute for sugar in most recipes but as it is sweeter than sugar, less is needed.

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.