The Ultimate Weeknight Pasta Sauce: Quick & Easy in Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or Stovetop

In our busy lives, a truly quick and easy weeknight pasta sauce is an absolute necessity. We all crave a delicious, homemade meal that can be on the table in under an hour – ideally even quicker, perhaps within 30 minutes of active cooking. What makes a sauce truly indispensable, though, is its versatility and the ability to easily freeze leftovers, ensuring you always have a comforting meal ready to go, even on the busiest of days.

The true genius of this particular recipe lies in its adaptability. Whether you prefer the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of a slow cooker or the lightning-fast efficiency of an Instant Pot, this sauce delivers. I personally prepare this savory meat sauce using both methods, and it’s been an absolute lifesaver during my hectic work weeks. Many times, I’ll fly out for a day trip, return to Los Angeles around 6 PM, and the last thing I want to do is eat out. The desire for home comfort takes over – a cozy evening in my favorite jammy pants, sipping a glass of wine, and anticipating a quick, satisfying meal to share with my husband. Another significant advantage of this recipe? It yields a generous quantity, approximately 9 cups or 3 quarts of rich, flavorful sauce. This substantial batch allows me to freeze the excess, always prepared for those unexpected “rainy days” when cooking from scratch just isn’t an option.

The Inspiration Behind This Beloved Recipe

This Quick and Easy Weeknight Pasta Sauce draws its soul and inspiration from the vibrant spirit of Josie, a cherished, close friend of my husband’s grandfather. Josie was a true culinary force who firmly believed that everyone, regardless of their cooking experience, should know how to make a proper sauce. Her sauce, a masterpiece in its own right, was a true gem – meticulously slow-cooked for many hours on the stovetop, brimming with the freshest ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil picked directly from her garden. It was the authentic, traditional “gravy” – the real deal.

While this expedited recipe doesn’t claim to replicate the hours of dedication that went into Josie’s traditional creation, it is undeniably steeped in her inspiring legacy. When I first encountered her philosophy, I candidly admit I didn’t possess the skill to make a classic Italian sauce. However, Josie’s passion ignited something within me, and I approached learning to make sauce with the fervor of a life’s mission. And so, here it is – a recipe born from that inspiration, designed for modern life without sacrificing flavor. I invite you to make it, savor it, and truly enjoy it. Thank you, Josie, for teaching us all the joy of a homemade sauce!

Crafting Your Perfect Pasta Sauce: Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, & Stovetop Methods

Today, I’ll walk you through preparing this incredible sauce using the Instant Pot. The magic of the Instant Pot is its ability to infuse that “all-day cooked” flavor into your meal in a mere fraction of the time. However, for those who prefer the traditional slow-simmering approach or a classic stovetop method, detailed directions for all three options are provided below in the full recipe card. My Instant Pot is the popular 6-quart IP-LUX model. If you’re new to the Instant Pot phenomenon, don’t worry – there’s a slight learning curve. It takes a little practice to truly “get it,” but once you do, it quickly transforms into an indispensable kitchen appliance, especially during the busy work week. I confess, I resisted buying one for quite a while, questioning the hype. Now, I fully understand and embrace its convenience and the invaluable help it offers in streamlining our meal preparations.

sauce ingredients — Fresh ingredients ready to be transformed into a rich, homemade pasta sauce.

Achieving the Perfect Sauce Consistency

Once your sauce has finished cooking, you might initially observe a slightly watery consistency. There are two important factors to remember here: first, the sauce will naturally thicken considerably as it cools. Second, this initial consistency is actually ideal if you plan to add meatballs or sausages directly to the sauce later. The thinner texture allows these additions to cook and meld beautifully with the sauce without becoming too dry or dense.

I sometimes opt for a thicker sauce by incorporating more meat, but I generally prefer the balanced ratio of tomatoes to ground beef in this recipe – not too much of either, striking a harmonious middle ground. Another key tip: when you freeze this sauce and then later defrost it, you’ll find it becomes even thicker, thanks to the freezing and thawing process which helps to break down the ingredients further and reduce moisture.

If you genuinely prefer a richer, more robustly thick sauce right from the start, there are a couple of easy adjustments you can make. Simply add an additional 8oz can of tomato paste to the mixture, or, after browning your ground beef, drain any excess fat before combining it with the other ingredients. Both methods will contribute to a noticeably thicker, more concentrated sauce.

Quick and Easy Weeknight Pasta Sauce

By: Ana | Claudia’s Table

Date: February 24, 2020

Summary: Easy sauce for weeknight meals, perfect for busy families looking for a delicious homemade option.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins (Instant Pot), 5 mins prep + 6-8 hrs (Slow Cooker), 2-3 hrs (Stovetop)

Total Time: 30 mins (Instant Pot), 6-8 hrs (Slow Cooker), 2-3 hrs (Stovetop)

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 8

Calories: 350 kcal per serving

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (from 13 votes)

Equipment

Instant Pot (6-quart recommended)
Slow cooker
Large sauce pan or Dutch oven

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef (lean, 85% recommended)
1 large onion (finely chopped)
5 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional, for a little heat)
1 can tomato paste (8oz)
2 cans crushed tomatoes (28oz each)
1 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions

Slow Cooker Method

In a large sauté pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the ground beef, finely chopped garlic, salt, and pepper to the pan. Break the ground beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Continue to sauté until the meat is fully browned. Drain any excess fat if desired for a less greasy sauce.
Add the finely chopped onion to the browned beef mixture and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onion begins to soften.
Transfer the beef and onion mixture to your slow cooker.
To the slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper (if using), and granulated sugar.
Stir all ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined and the tomato paste is fully incorporated into the sauce.
Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW for 6-8 hours. The sauce will be fully cooked and delicious after 6 hours, but many slow cookers have a “warm” setting which allows it to simmer gently for an additional 2 hours without overcooking, deepening the flavors even further.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed before serving.

Instant Pot Method

Start your Instant Pot by selecting the “Saute” function. Allow the pot to heat for a minute or two.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the hot pot. Then add the ground beef, finely chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break up the ground beef as it browns.
Sauté the meat until it is fully browned and crumbled into small pieces, which usually takes about 5 minutes. If there’s excessive grease, you can carefully drain a portion of it, though a little fat adds flavor.
Add the finely chopped onion to the browned beef and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften and become translucent.
Next, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper (if desired), and granulated sugar to the Instant Pot. Stir all ingredients well to ensure they are fully combined.
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and set the valve to “Sealing.” Select the “Meat/Stew” function or manually set it to “High Pressure” for 10 minutes.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes. This means letting the pressure naturally decrease without manually opening the valve. After 10 minutes, you can carefully perform a quick release of any remaining pressure.
Open the lid, stir the sauce, and taste. Adjust with additional salt or pepper as needed to achieve your desired flavor profile.

Stovetop Method

Preheat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat for approximately 1 minute. Add the ground beef. Using a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula, break down the ground beef as it cooks, ensuring it crumbles into small, even pieces.
Once the ground beef has fully browned, you can drain any excess fat if you prefer. Then, add the olive oil, finely chopped garlic, and finely chopped onion to the pot with the beef. Sauté over medium heat for about 2 minutes, or until the garlic becomes fragrant and the onion starts to soften.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, all the dried herbs (oregano, basil, Italian seasoning), granulated sugar, salt, and pepper. Ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low – just enough to maintain a very gentle, consistent simmer.
Allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 hours. Stir it every 30 minutes or so to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
Before serving, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if needed.

Notes

SALT Content: It’s crucial to be mindful of sodium levels when using canned tomatoes, as the content can vary significantly between brands. For instance, some brands of crushed tomatoes may contain as little as 40 mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving, while others might have up to 260 mg for the same serving size. Always check the labels! Depending on the brand you purchase, you may need to adjust the amount of kosher salt added to the recipe. Always taste and season gradually to avoid over-salting your delicious homemade sauce.

Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.

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Looking for another fantastic pasta recipe or more Instant Pot inspiration? Be sure to try our Quick Weeknight Pasta Bake for an equally delicious and convenient dinner solution, or explore our other Instant Pot recipes like the comforting Italian Lentil Sausage Soup.