Keto Steak Marinara

Name: Keto Steak Marinara
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 7 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb sliced pre-cooked steak; 1/2 cup onion, diced; 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 teaspoons garlic paste or 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup low-carb marinara sauce or tomato sauce; 1 cup canned diced tomatoes

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published August 31, 2020 • Updated June 2, 2025

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Reader Rating

4.3 Stars (3 Reviews)

Easy Instant Pot Kid Friendly

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When you have leftover steak, turn it into a freezer meal with this keto steak marinara recipe. Cook up in the instant pot or skillet and pour over keto pasta or cauliflower rice for dinner.

steak marinara dinner in a bowl with basil leaves top and a glass of wine in the background

overhead shot of keto marinara sauce with steak slices on noodles topped with parmesan cheese

a close up view of sliced steak in maraina sauce over keto pasta

a big bowl of pasta sitting in front of an instant pot with basil and tomatoes around

12 Mins

Nutrition Facts

Servings

231

Calories

15.1g

Fat

17g

Protein

4.5g

Net Carb

6.3g

Total Carbs

Disclaimer: The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

Low carb steak marinara sauce recipe

Keto steak marinara sauce is an easy keto freezer meal you can prepare quickly using your Instant Pot. It’s also a good way to use up leftover steak you might have from the night before. Pour this rich, tangy tomato sauce over your favorite keto pasta or cauliflower rice for a dinner you can throw together and serve within 30 minutes!

Table of Contents [ click to toggle ]

Recipe Details
Similar recipes others love
Leftover steak
Keto meal prep - freezer meals
Low carb marinara sauce
How to cook keto steak marinara on the stove top
Keto pasta
FAQs
Nutrition information: facts & macronutrients

Keto Steak Marinara Recipe Video

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Keto Steak Marinara Freezer Recipe Ingredients

1 lb sliced pre-cooked steak
1/2 cup onion, diced
2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons garlic paste or 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-carb marinara sauce or tomato sauce
1 cup canned diced tomatoes

Keto Steak Marinara Directions

STEP

1

Add ingredients to freezer bag

Add all the ingredients to a gallon sized freezer bag.
STEP

2

Freeze

Press all the air out of the bag and seal. Store flat in the freezer until ready to cook.
STEP

3

Pressure cook instructions

To prepare, thaw in the refrigerator the night before. Add all ingredients to the liner of an instant pot. Attach the lid and set the vent to seal. Pressure cook on high for 7 minutes. Release pressure by turning the knob to venting. If cooking from frozen, add 1/4 cup of water to the liner of the instant pot along with the ingredients to prevent the contents from burning.
STEP

4

Serve

Pour steak marinara over keto noodles or cauliflower rice.

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Leftover steak

I’m always looking for ways to use up leftover proteins like steak so that I can recreate dinner into a new recipe without boring the family or myself with the same meals over and over again. This steak marinara recipe is a great way to use up extra steak you might have leftover from dinner.

Keto meal prep - freezer meals

One way to stay successful on the keto diet is to meal prep your food. Employ freezer meals in your meal prep tactics too. Both will make sure you have keto meals on hand when you get busy and don’t have time to cook.

This keto steak marinara sauce can be easily made during meal prep day or you can make it on a night that you have steak for dinner and are looking for a way to use up the leftover steak. Simply slice up the steak and add it to a freezer bag along with the rest of the ingredients. Store in the refrigerator to use the next night or pop in the freezer to cook later.

For an easy way to add your ingredients into a Ziploc bag, use freezer bag holders to keep the bag upright. This way you don’t have to worry about your ingredients spilling out of the bag.

freezer bag holders holding up a plastic baggie

Low carb marinara sauce

You have two options for sauce in this easy keto dinner recipe. You can add a keto approved marinara sauce or you can use canned tomato sauce. Just make sure you are selecting brands that don’t contain any additional sugars or carbohydrates.

My favorite keto brand pasta sauce is by Rao’s. They have a marinara sauce for sensitive diets – meaning that it doesn’t contain any garlic or onions that may upset some sensitive stomachs. This brand of sauce only has 5 grams net carbs per 1/2 cup.

ingredients for steak marinara sauce cooking in a skillet

How to cook keto steak marinara on the stove top

If you don’t have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you can still make this easy keto freezer meal by cooking it up on the stove top. Just add your thawed freezer bag to a skillet and heat over medium high heat until sauce is bubbling and steak is cooked through.

keto hearts of palm noodles on a cutting board with basil and tomatoes

Keto pasta

This Italian steak marinara is begging to be poured over something. Of course you can go with a traditional keto food like cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles (also called zoodles). Another option is to try keto noodles.

There are different types of keto noodles you can buy. The three most popular types are:

Shirataki Noodles – These noodles are zero carbs and are made out of konjac yam and contain primarily water and glucomannan, a water soluble fiber.
Hearts of Palm Noodles – These keto noodles are made out of hearts of palm and are very low in carbs. They don’t have a strange smell or chewy texture like shirataki noodles.
Low Carb Wheat Based Pasta – The Low Carb Bread Company makes a keto approved pasta noodle that contains wheat protein. These aren’t gluten-free but it’s a great alternative when you want authentic noodles.

Keto Steak Marinara: FAQS

Can I use raw steak instead of pre-cooked steak?

Yes, you can use raw steak! Just make sure to cook it thoroughly before combining it with the other ingredients. You may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

What can I substitute for low-carb marinara sauce?

If you don't have low-carb marinara sauce, you can use a regular tomato sauce, but be mindful of the sugar content. Alternatively, you can make your own sauce using crushed tomatoes and Italian herbs.

How long can I store the leftovers?

You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing it for up to 2-3 months.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This keto steak marinara is great for meal prep. Just portion it out into individual containers, and it's perfect for quick meals throughout the week.

What are some keto-friendly sides to serve with this dish?

You can pair it with zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice for a delicious low-carb meal. A side salad with a light vinaigrette would also complement it nicely.

Nutritional information & Macros

Amount Per Serving
Calories	231
Fat	15.1g
Protein	17g
Total Carbs	6.3g
Net Carbs	4.5g

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About Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis and a Pharm.D., she has over 11 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism. She is the author of the Protein Packed cookbook, published by Victory Belt Publishing.

Learn more about Annie →

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