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Marinara Sauce with Red Lentils (Instant Pot)

This easy vegan marinara sauce with red lentils is gluten-free and has a rich, deep flavor thanks to the Instant Pot. It's a great alternative to a meat-based sauce!
Author: Diabetic Foodie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Pressure Up/Down: 34 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Pick over the lentils, removing any shriveled pieces or stones, and rinse in a fine-mesh strainer. Drain well.
    ½ cup red lentils
  • Set the electric pressure cooker to the Sauté setting. When the pot is hot, pour in the avocado oil.
    2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • Add the onion and green pepper to the pot and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften. Hit Cancel on the control panel once the vegetables are ready.
    1 medium onion, 1 small green bell pepper
  • Add the broth to the pot and scrape up any brown bits. Stir in the tomato paste.
    1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Add the lentils, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with their juices, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Stir well.
    28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 14½ ounces diced fire-roasted tomatoes, 1 bay leaf, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • Close and lock the lid. Make sure the pressure valve is set to “Sealing.”
  • Cook the sauce on high pressure for 13 minutes.
  • When the cooking is complete, hit Cancel. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
  • Once the pin drops, unlock and remove the lid. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir well.
    kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper

Notes

This recipe is for 12 servings of marinara.
If the sauce is too thin, you can either use an immersion blender to blend it to the desired consistency or turn the pot back to Sauté and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
Extra sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and should be eaten within 4-5 days.

Nutrition Info Per Serving

Nutrition Facts
Marinara Sauce with Red Lentils (Instant Pot)
Serving Size
 
0.5 cup
Amount per Serving
Calories
84
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
2.4
g
4
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.3
g
2
%
Trans Fat
 
0
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1.7
g
Cholesterol
 
0
mg
0
%
Sodium
 
225
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
514.9
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
 
12.2
g
4
%
Fiber
 
3.4
g
14
%
Sugar
 
5.4
g
6
%
Protein
 
3.2
g
6
%
Net carbs
 
8.8
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.