This Instant Pot Rao’s Marinara Copycat Recipe is rich, flavorful, and made with simple ingredients in under 30 minutes. It tastes just like the famous jarred sauce but fresher, more budget-friendly, and preservative-free. Perfect for pasta, pizza, or meal prep anytime!
If you love Rao’s Marinara but not the price tag, this Instant Pot Rao’s Marinara Copycat Recipe is going to be your new go-to! 🍅✨
It’s rich, flavorful, and made with simple pantry ingredients—all ready in a fraction of the time thanks to the Instant Pot. Perfect for pasta, pizza, meatballs, or dipping, this homemade version tastes just like the jarred favorite but fresher and more budget-friendly. Once you try it, you may never go back to store-bought again!
If you love great Pasta Recipes, some of my favorite Instant Pot Pasta Recipes are INSTANT POT CHICKEN FAJITA PASTA, INSTANT POT PASTA, FETA, AND TOMATOES, INSTANT POT PASTA CARBONARA, and INSTANT POT COPYCAT CHILI’S CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
✅ Tastes Just Like Rao’s – Rich, savory, and perfectly balanced flavor. 🍝
⏱️ Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with the Instant Pot. 🔥
💰 Budget-Friendly – Way cheaper than store-bought without sacrificing taste. 🛒
🍅 Made with Simple Ingredients – Pantry staples, no preservatives or additives. 🌿
🙌 Versatile Sauce – Perfect for pasta, pizza, meatballs, or dipping. 🍕
Ingredients Needed For Rao’s Marinara Copycat Recipe
- Olive Oil – Adds richness and flavor to the sauce
- Yellow Onion – Finely diced for sweetness and depth
- Garlic Cloves – Minced for aromatic, savory garlic flavor
- San Marzano Tomatoes – High-quality tomatoes for authentic, rich taste
- Tomato Paste – Adds depth, richness, and thickens the sauce
- Dried Basil – Brings subtle herbal, slightly sweet flavor
- Dried Oregano – Classic Italian seasoning for bold, savory notes
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional) – Adds gentle heat and spice kick
- Salt and Pepper – Essential seasonings to balance all flavors
How To Make Instant Pot Rao’s Marinara Copycat Recipe
1️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics: Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil, then sauté the diced onions until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
2️⃣ Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste, letting it cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor. Add the San Marzano tomatoes (crush them by hand or with a spoon if whole).
3️⃣ Season the Sauce: Sprinkle in dried basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything well to combine.
4️⃣ Pressure Cook: Cancel sauté mode. Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to Manual (High Pressure) for 10 minutes. Let it naturally release pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
5️⃣ Blend (Optional): If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer to a blender and blend until desired consistency.
6️⃣ Serve: Serve immediately with pasta, pizza, meatballs, or let cool and store for meal prep. 🍝
Instant Pot Rao’s Marinara Copycat Recipe Tips
✅ Use San Marzano Tomatoes – They give the sauce its authentic, rich flavor. 🍅
✅ Sauté the Onion & Garlic First – This deepens the flavor and removes bitterness. 🔥
✅ Add Tomato Paste Before Liquids – Lightly toasting it enhances richness and depth. 🍝
✅ Blend for Smoothness – Use an immersion blender for a silky, restaurant-quality texture. 🌀
✅ Double the Batch – This sauce freezes beautifully, so make extra for future meals! ❄️
Storing & Reheating
Storing 🧊: Store leftover Rao’s marinara in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it cool completely before sealing to keep it fresh.
Reheating 🔥: Reheat the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat until warm, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. 🍅🍝
What To Serve With Copycat Rao’s Marinara Sauce Recipe
This Copycat Rao’s Marinara Sauce is incredibly versatile and pairs perfectly with so many dishes. Serve it over pasta like spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni for a classic meal, or use it as a rich, flavorful base for homemade pizza.
It’s also perfect for dunking garlic bread, mozzarella sticks, or air fryer meatballs. Pour it over chicken Parmesan, baked ziti, stuffed shells, or use it as a dipping sauce for appetizers—this homemade marinara truly elevates any meal! 🍝🍕🍗
Copycat Rao’s Marinara Sauce Recipe Faqs
❓Can I use canned crushed tomatoes instead of San Marzano? Yes! 🥫 Crushed tomatoes work well, but San Marzano gives a richer, more authentic flavor.
❓How long does homemade marinara last? Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it lasts 4–5 days. 🧊
❓Can I freeze this marinara sauce? Absolutely! ❄️ Let it cool completely, then freeze in containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
❓Is this sauce good for pizza? Yes! 🍕 This marinara doubles as a flavorful pizza sauce or a dip for breadsticks and appetizers.
❓Can I make it without an Instant Pot? Definitely! 🍅 Simmer the sauce on the stovetop for about 45 minutes to an hour until thickened.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- INSTANT POT CHICKEN FAJITA PASTA
- INSTANT POT PASTA, FETA, AND TOMATOES
- EASY INSTANT POT PASTA CARBONARA
- INSTANT POT COPYCAT CHILI’S CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA
- INSTANT POT GROUND BEEF AND PASTA
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Instant Pot Rao’s Marinara Copycat Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces San Marzano tomatoes,
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil, then sauté onions for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor. Add San Marzano tomatoes (crush them by hand or with a spoon), then add basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Cancel sauté. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual (High Pressure) for 10 minutes. Let it naturally release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer to a blender until you reach your desired consistency.
Equipment
- Instant Pot, or Ninja Foodi
Nutrition
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Patrick
What are the measurements of the tomato paste and basil? They aren’t included in the ingredients list.