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Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce

Instant pot pressure cooker bolognese sauce

Instant pot Bolognese sauce is a quicker version of this classic Italian dinner recipe. No hassle, quicker than on stove top but equally delicious!

Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce Picture

Guys, if you like Spaghetti Bolognese, then you will definitely enjoy this instant pot Bolognese sauce.

What to cook in Instant Pot?

There are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking in a pressure cooker. Soups, stews, pasta sauces (see this pressure cooker Bolognese sauce), rice (check my Fried Rice), chili or curry dishes (Chicken Curry), pulled pork. There are hundreds of recipes you can make in your Instant Pot!

Step by step – How to make Bolognese sauce in Instant Pot:

How to MakeInstant Pot Bolognese Sauce Step 1 Picture

Prep the veggies: Dice the carrots, celery and finely chop the onion. Press the “SAUTE” function and throw all the veggies in. Saute this for about 5 minutes.

Turn off the saute function and add the rest of the ingredients.

How to Make Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce Step 2 Picture

Mix everything well and close the lid. I buy plum tinned tomatoes so I like to break them with a wooden spoon before I close the lid.

Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce Tomato Tins Picture
How to MakeInstant Pot Bolognese Sauce Step 3 Picture

Turn the steam release to “SEALING” position. Press “MANUAL” and adjust the time to 5 minutes. Yes, 5 minutes is all it takes to make this instant pot Bolognese sauce.

Remember, that the pressure cooker needs time before AND after the active cooking time to bring the pot to pressure and then release the pressure. This time varies with every dish.

When making this Bolognese sauce count with about 10 minutes for pressurizing and after the cooking is finished, wait 10 minutes before releasing the pressure.

Note: I add a lot of carrots and celery because they give this Bolognese sauce an amazing flavor and that is exactly how I was taught to do it by an Italian. If you prefer more meat, rather than veggies, then simply decrease the number of carrots and celery and increase the amount of ground meat.

I also recommend using less salt at the beginning and adding more (if needed) after the cooking is finished. Bear in mind that every salt has a different level of saltiness.

How to MakeInstant Pot Bolognese Sauce Step 4 Picture

Instant pot Bolognese sauce – Ingredient substitutions:

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – regular olive oil or sunflower/vegetable oil can be also used. However, I highly recommend using olive oil.
  • Ground Beef or Pork – you can also use a mix of beef and pork.
  • Celery, Carrots – these add this sauce a great flavor and I would not omit them. Because they are cooked in an Instant Pot, they are so soft they will melt in your mouth. However, you can reduce their amount if you feel like 3 of each sound too much for you.

Guys, I hope you will like this instant pot Bolognese sauce as much as we do. It reduces the cooking time significantly and making Bolognese sauce in a pressure cooker is definitely worth it!

Check out more Easy Instant Pot Recipes!

Want to see how to make Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce? Watch the video!

Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce Image
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5 from 8 votes

Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce

Instant pot bolognese sauce is a quicker version of this classic Italian dinner recipe. No hassle, quicker than on stove top but equally delicious!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time20 mins
Servings: 5 Portions
Calories: 385
Author: Julia

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , see note 1
  • 3 medium carrots , finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 medium onion , minced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 celery sticks , about 1 cup
  • 1 pound ground beef (450 grams), see note 2
  • 1 can plum tomatoes (14-ounces/400-milliliters), see note 3
  • 1 can pureed tomatoes (14-ounces/400-milliliters)
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt , see note 4
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • black pepper , a generous pinch
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

  • Turn on Instant Pot and press “SAUTE”. Pour in olive oil and when hot add carrots, onion and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add ground beef and using a fork or wooden spoon, break the meat so it cooks evenly. Add the rest of the ingredients. Break the plum tomatoes into smaller chunks and mix everything well. Turn the “SAUTE” function off.
  • Cover with lid and lock it into its position. Turn the steam release to “SEALING”. Press “MANUAL” (or PRESSURE COOK) function and make sure the pressure is set on HIGH. Set timer to 5 minutes.
  • When time is up, turn it off and wait 8 minutes before releasing the pressure manually by turning the steam release valve to “VENTING”.
  • Taste and add more seasoning, if needed.
  • Serve warm with long pasta (spaghetti, pappardelle, tagliatelle).

Notes

  1. Instead of extra virgin olive oil, regular olive oil can be used. If you don’t have these, you can substitute with vegetable or sunflower oil.
  2. Ground beef, pork or a combination of these works well.
  3. Plum tomatoes can be substituted with a can of chopped or crushed. Choose good-quality ones – preferably Italian.
  4. Taste the sauce at the very end and add more seasoning, if you like your food saltier.
  5. This recipe was developed for a 6-quart/6-liter instant pot.
  6. Overall cooking time does not include the time the pot needs to come to pressure (about 13 minutes) and the 8 minutes you wait after it has been cooked. The sauce will be ready on your table in 30 minutes, from start to finish!
  7. Instant pot bolognese sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days (in an airtight container) or in the freezer up to 3 months (use a freezer-friendly container, don’t overfill – leave about an inch/2.5-centimeters free from top.
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Bolognese Sauce Recipe, How to make Bologneses Sauce
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
385
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
27
g
42
%
Saturated Fat
 
8
g
50
%
Cholesterol
 
64
mg
21
%
Sodium
 
598
mg
26
%
Potassium
 
1026
mg
29
%
Carbohydrates
 
19
g
6
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
9
g
10
%
Protein
 
19
g
38
%
Vitamin A
 
7322
IU
146
%
Vitamin C
 
24
mg
29
%
Calcium
 
100
mg
10
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
** As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tried this recipe?Follow @happyfoodstube and tag #happyfoodstube
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Comments

  1. Soniya says

    02/11/2017 at 14:24

    This looks so Delicious and easy to make.. instant pot has made our life so easy ;) I am always looking for new instant pot recipe and I have found one I am try this weekend!5 stars

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      02/11/2017 at 15:12

      Glad to hear that, Soniya! Let me know how you liked it :)

      Reply
  2. Tina says

    02/11/2017 at 14:33

    Such a great way to sneak extra veggies into kids;) I love this stuff!

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      02/11/2017 at 15:12

      Exactly! :)

      Reply
  3. Amy says

    02/11/2017 at 14:39

    I’m hopefully getting an instant pot for Christmas, this recipe will be top of my list to try!5 stars

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      02/11/2017 at 15:14

      :) Happy to hear that!

      Reply
  4. Jessy says

    02/11/2017 at 15:47

    Yum! I just got an instant pot and I’m regretting not getting it sooner because it’s amazing! I can’t wait to try this!5 stars

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      03/11/2017 at 15:06

      I too can’t believe I waited so long to get it! :) It’s a great appliance to have!

      Reply
  5. Liz says

    02/11/2017 at 16:47

    I’ve been seeing so many fun instant pot recipes! I Think I’m going to have to get one for Christmas!

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      03/11/2017 at 15:07

      You will love it, Liz! :)

      Reply
  6. Jamie says

    12/01/2018 at 18:42

    This is delicious! If I double the recipe next time, do I change the cooking time?

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      16/01/2018 at 12:19

      Not sure about this, Jamie. I guess I would add extra 2 minutes just to be sure. Hope this helps.

      Reply
      • Carey says

        10/01/2019 at 03:09

        I doubled it tonight & added 2 minutes- it turned out perfect! Fantastic recipe!5 stars

        Reply
        • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

          10/01/2019 at 08:07

          Hi Carey, thanks so much for your feedback! I hope you will find more recipes here that you love! :)

          Reply
  7. Pete says

    10/02/2018 at 20:32

    Hello Julia,

    In most of the recipes I’ve tried it seems like the meat is browned on the saute mode first. Is that not the case here?. Thanks, looking forward to trying this one.

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      11/02/2018 at 18:55

      Hi, Pete. You can brown the meat altogether with veggies if you prefer it this way. I personally don’t do it in this case. Let me know how you liked it if you do try!

      Reply
  8. Judy says

    11/02/2018 at 16:49

    Certainly you add meat in with veggies to sauté? It isn’t mentioned on the recipe. I’m new to this Instant Pot stuff so thought I’d ask….

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      11/02/2018 at 18:53

      Judy, you can add the meat in with veggies but it is not necessary. I saute only the veggies. Hope this helps. Happy cooking!

      Reply
  9. Jen says

    15/02/2019 at 20:36

    Any ideas on how to make the sauce thicker? I followed this recipe yesterday but it was a little bit watered down.

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      16/02/2019 at 10:47

      Hi Jen, to thicken the sauce you can stir in concentrated tomato puree at the very end. Some canned tomatoes are also more watery than others that is why I prefer not using the ready-chopped ones. Hope this helps.

      Reply
  10. Pam says

    26/10/2022 at 07:50

    I had to add extra water as my cooker (Ninja Foodi) displayed not enough liquid. Do instant pots cook with less water when using pressure cooker mode I wonder? But it was delicious but unfortunately a little bit liquidy.5 stars

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      06/12/2022 at 16:24

      Hi Pam. Some of the pressure cookers have safety features that are more sensitive than others and this can be the reason yours asks for more liquid. You can still reduce it at the very end if you have the saute function. Hope this helps.

      Reply
  11. Rosalba Mora says

    15/01/2023 at 18:05

    Hello! Thanks for the recipe! I want to add a little bit of red wine for the cooking process but I don’t know if I have to add time on the manual mode or I have to reduce it on the sauté mode. Hope you do know! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

      16/01/2023 at 09:52

      Hi Rosalba. I suggest reducing it on the saute mode. Hope it helps!

      Reply
      • Rosalba Mora says

        16/01/2023 at 17:47

        I actually did that for about 12 minutes. It tasted really good. Thanks for sharing and answering!5 stars

        Reply
        • Julia | Happy Foods Tube says

          18/01/2023 at 12:35

          Thanks for the feedback, Rosalba! Happy Instant Pot cooking! :)

          Reply

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