Craving a deeply flavorful, comforting meat sauce but don’t have hours to let it simmer on the stove? The Instant Pot is your secret weapon! This recipe delivers a rich, hearty sauce that tastes like it’s been cooking all day, but it comes together in under an hour. Packed with savory ground beef, Italian sausage, and aromatic herbs, this low-carb and sugar-free sauce is perfect for anyone following a keto lifestyle. It’s the ultimate weeknight comfort food, ready in a flash!
Ingredients
• 1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil
• ½ pound (227g) grass-fed lean ground beef
• ½ pound (227g) gluten-free Italian sausage
• 2 cups (approx. 150g) sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 (28-ounce / 794g) can sugar-free stewed tomatoes
• 1 (6-ounce / 170g) can sugar-free tomato paste
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp Swerve (or your preferred sweetener)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 bay leaves
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Once hot, add the olive oil, followed by the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Press “Cancel” and carefully drain off any excess grease from the pot.
4. Add the mushrooms, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, celery, garlic, parsley, Swerve, oregano, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves to the pot. Stir everything together, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
5. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the pressure valve to the “Sealing” position.
6. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and cook on “High Pressure” for 10 minutes.
7. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 7 minutes. Then, carefully perform a “Quick Release” to vent the remaining steam.
8. Once the pin has dropped, safely remove the lid. Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving.
9. Serve hot over your favorite low-carb pasta, zoodles, or spaghetti squash.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving (makes 8 servings)
• Calories: 198
• Total Fat: 10.2g
• Net Carbs: 1.35g
• Fiber: 2.8g
• Protein: 16.8g
Pro Tips
• for Success
• Don’t skip the browning step! Searing the beef and sausage first develops a deep, rich flavor base (the Maillard reaction) that is essential for a great sauce.
• This sauce freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags for a quick and delicious meal on another day. It will last for up to 3 months.
• For a complete keto meal, serve this hearty sauce over zucchini noodles (zoodles), spaghetti squash, or palmini pasta. It’s also fantastic spooned over steamed cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower.
• After browning the meat, deglaze the pot by adding the tomatoes and scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to lift all the flavorful browned bits. This boosts the taste and helps prevent the Instant Pot’s ‘Burn’ warning.
FAQ
Q: Can I make this keto meat sauce ahead of time
A: Yes, this sauce freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It will last for up to 3 months, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Q: What can I serve with this low-carb meat sauce
A: For a complete keto meal, serve this hearty sauce over zucchini noodles (zoodles), spaghetti squash, or palmini pasta. It’s also delicious spooned over steamed cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower.
Q: Is browning the meat in the Instant Pot necessary for this recipe
A: Yes, do not skip the browning step. Searing the beef and sausage first develops a deep, rich flavor base that is essential for a great sauce. It also helps prevent the Instant Pot’s ‘Burn’ warning.
Q: How long does this Instant Pot meat sauce take to cook
A: This sauce is very quick. After browning the meat, it pressure cooks on high for only 10 minutes, followed by a 7-minute natural pressure release. The entire recipe comes together in under an hour.
