I was testing a recipe for Mozzarella Sticks in my Ninja Foodi and decided to throw together a quick Homemade Marinara Sauce for dipping. So, I threw a few things into the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender, hit the dip function and I just couldn't believe how good it was!
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I absolutely LOVE this blender! It makes such fast and easy work of so many things, but don't worry if you don't have one! You can make the same Homemade Marinara Sauce on the stove or in the Ninja Foodi PC & AC or your Instant Pot.
What is the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender?
If you aren't familiar with the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender, it's really a wonderful appliance!
I've had mine awhile now and the versatility of it is amazing. Not only is it powerful enough to make really smooth smoothies, it can also cook! I don't just mean spin the blades and generate heat that way.
This blender actually has a heating element that can make a chunky soup using raw meat. It's so incredibly easy, you won't believe it. I made this Chicken Tortilla Soup by just throwing things in the blender and selecting the preprogrammed hearty soup function.
Yes, I was a little nervous about adding raw chicken, but that turned out to be a non-issue. The blender cooked it just fine! See the blender in action below.
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What are the best tomatoes to use for making Homemade Marinara Sauce?
Shhh... don't tell anyone, but I used canned tomatoes. It was the middle of winter when I tested the recipe and fresh tomatoes just were not looking that good.
Plus, I was just throwing things together and I used what I had at home.
You can certainly use fresh tomatoes, but it will require a little more work to get the deep level of flavor that I did with the canned fire roasted tomatoes. Once summer rolls around again, I'll test out a recipe using fresh tomatoes. In the meantime, if you want to try it, I would suggest using Roma tomatoes and roasting them first.
You can do this in the oven or in the Ninja Foodi PC & AC using the broil function. Simply, cut your tomatoes in half lengthwise and lay them skin side up in a single layer. You can leave them unseasoned or season with a bit of olive oil and salt. Broil until the skins become blistery and dark in areas. Allow to cool, and then use them in the recipe.
To keep this recipe really simple and delicious, I recommend using Fire Roasted Tomatoes. This is the type I use in pretty much all of my recipes that call for canned tomatoes. You can't beat the flavor!
What are Fire Roasted Tomatoes?
Fire Roasted Tomatoes are tomatoes that have been roasted over an open flame, usually.
Of course, you can use the oven method like I described above, but there really isn't anything like a true fire roasted tomato done over an open flame.
Fire Roasted Tomatoes are NOT spicy, so don't worry about that. I have gotten that question before and thought it is worth mentioning in case you don't like spicy.
The brand of fire roasted tomatoes that I like the most is Hunt's. I have tried several other brands, including store brands, and none of them have come close to the flavor of Hunt's.
How can I make Homemade Marinara Sauce without the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender.
Stovetop & Ninja Foodi PC & AC Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a medium to large stock pot.
- Cover with a lid and vent it (tip the lid up on the side of the pot) to allow steam to escape.
- Cook (sear/sauté on NF) over low to medium heat for about 20-30 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent scorching.
- Use a blender or an immersion blender to blend until smooth
Quick Tip: Allow the sauce to cool before blending to avoid steam bubbles and reduce the risk of burns.
How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce in the Cold & Hot Blender
Print RecipeThe beauty of using the NF Cold & Hot Blender for this recipe is you literally dump the ingredients in and push a button. No stirring, no watching for boil over, no popping tomato sauce on the stove. It's simply glorious!
Add the ingredients to the blender as listed in the recipe. You will want to peel the paper off of the garlic clove, but you can leave it whole. The blender will take care of mincing it up!
I use demerara sugar because I really like the level of sweetness and touch of molasses flavor it brings to the marinara sauce. If you want to use plain white sugar or brown sugar instead, start by adding ½ Tbsp.
Put the lid on the blender and select the sauce/dip function. Allow the blender to do its thing. When the time is up, remove the center piece from the lid to vent the steam or VERY CAREFULLY remove the whole lid. The steam is VERY HOT, so be careful!
Put into a glass jar until ready to serve. You can keep the Homemade Marinara Sauce in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze for 3-6 months.
Enjoy!
Want more great blender recipes? Check these out!
Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce
Equipment
- Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender
Ingredients
- 14.5 ounces fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic peeled and whole
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp demerara sugar
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp basil leaves dry
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender in the order they are listed
- Place the lid on the blender and select the sauce/dip button
- When the time is up, CAREFULLY remove the center part of the lid to vent the steam or CAREFULLY remove the lid. The steam is VERY hot, so use protection on your hands to avoid burns. OR, let the sauce cool in the blender for 30 minutes.
- Pour into a glass container until you are ready to use. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
ABOUT THE RECIPE AUTHOR, LOUISE LONG
Louise is a full-time recipe creator and food blogger @ The Salted Pepper. She has over 30 years of experience with cooking and recipe development. She owned a restaurant for several years and was a full-time RN until retiring to blog full-time.
She published her first cookbook in the Fall of 2018 and is very interested in writing several more.
Louise is also the creator of an online Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooking Course with over 100 instructional step-by-step videos. People absolutely rave about the course and all the value they have received from it.
Louise has several very active Facebook groups that help people with the basics of cooking and getting the most out of the Ninja Foodi.
Louise is also a YouTube creator and you can find most of her recipes in video format on The Salted Pepper YouTube channel.
She is very responsive to messages and eager to help in any way she can. Get more Information about Louise & contact information
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Marilyn Burrows
Can this be doubled in the Hot Cold Blender? Making homemade meatball subs for grandkids and need a bit more sauce than just 2 cups.
Jean Millner
Can I blend this cold and heat it when I use it?
Louise
It's better to make it the way I have it written because it reduces and concentrates the flavors. You can reheat it in the blender before serving.
Ann
Louise, this sauce is amazing! I always make own sauce but it has never turned out this good! I would like to double or if it fits in the blender triple the recipe, when doing so would you increase all ingredients equally? My concern would be with the sugar and salt. What would you suggest? Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
Louise
I would increase them all, but you can always start with less and add more at the end and then heat on low. I'm so glad you liked it.
Phil
Easy and super tasty!
Louise
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Liana
I appreciate the directions and substitutes and adjustments! YOU DO make cooking easier! I NEED encouragement and you are simply the best instructor ive ever found. Thank you for so many delicious recipes for my foodi!